Mohanlal stands for queer dignity on Bigg Boss Malayalam 7, why it matters

Mohanlal stands for queer dignity on Bigg Boss Malayalam 7, why it matters

On a recent episode of Bigg Boss Malayalam 7, superstar host Mohanlal stepped in to defend the dignity of contestants Adhila Nasarin and Fathima Noora, the show’s first openly lesbian couple, after they were targeted with disparaging remarks by wildcard entrants Lakshmi and Mastani. What followed was more than just reality TV drama—it became a rare and powerful moment of mainstream validation for Kerala’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Lakshmi had openly declared she would never allow the couple into her home, while Mastani accused them of “normalising LGBTQ culture.” Mohanlal didn’t mince words. He questioned how anyone could make such statements, pointed out that the couple lived at nobody’s expense, and declared he would welcome them into his own home with an open heart. He also warned that Bigg Boss demanded respect and inclusivity, and repeated disrespect could lead to eviction.

The weight of Mohanlal’s words go beyond the walls of the house.

Adhila and Fathima’s relationship has already endured immense social and familial opposition. Fathima was once forcibly subjected to conversion therapy, while Adhila had to approach the Kerala High Court to secure their right to live together as consenting adults.

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The 2022 judgment in their favour was celebrated nationally as a milestone for queer rights. To see their dignity defended on prime-time television by a cultural icon like Mohanlal carries enormous symbolic power.

This intervention also ties into a larger shift in Malayalam popular culture. In recent years, leading stars have begun challenging prejudice more openly—Mammootty’s acclaimed turn in Jeo Baby’s Kaathal being a prime example.

Bigg Boss Malayalam itself has seen several instances of queer visibility, from contestants coming out on air to discussions about gender and identity. But Mohanlal’s defense stood out because it was direct, unequivocal, and delivered from a position of immense authority.