In the glamorous world of Bollywood, celebrities are constantly under public scrutiny. Recently, actress Mouni Roy, who was in the headlines due to her separation from husband Suraj Nambiar, addressed the rumours related to her sexual orientation.
Mouni shut down the trolls who once called her a gay. During a recent appearance on Monika Sharma’s YouTube channel, Mouni was asked about the most absurd rumour about her in Bollywood. She revealed that people claimed she was “gay.”
Mouni recently separated from her husband
Notably, Mouni Roy recently separated from her husband, Suraj Nambiar, in 2026. The couple, who married in 2022, parted ways after four years of being together. This separation sparked various online theories and trolling.
How did she overcome this difficult period?
Mouni shut down these rumours and shared how she got through this difficult period. She credited her family and close female friends for being her rock.
She focused on the importance of having supportive women in one’s life who uplift each other. Mouni, who is often seen on social media with her close friend and actor Disha Patani, expressed deep gratitude for her girlfriends, who have stood by her through all her good and bad phases. She stated in her podcast that the greatest rumour she heard about her was that she is gay.
Mouni stated, “I am not gay, and I have always had great girlfriends. My girlfriends are the best.”
Professionally, Mouni was recently seen in David Dhawan’s film “Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.”
Mouni’s post for her BFF Disha’s birthday
Mouni Roy recently shared a fun post on social media featuring her close friends, including Disha Patani, Sonam Bajwa, and Krishna Shroff, shortly after announcing her separation from Suraj Nambiar.
On her Instagram Stories, the actress posted glimpses of Disha Patani’s birthday celebration, including a group boomerang with her friends. However, it was the caption that caught everyone’s attention. Alongside the clip, Mouni wrote, “Ds bridesmaids whenever that happens x,” hinting at Disha’s future wedding plans in a light-hearted manner.
The post quickly sparked reactions among fans, who loved the actresses’ close friendship and playful banter.
“I’m done telling people I’m not gay”: Prateik Smita Patil
This is not the first time that any actor has been judged on their sexual orientation. Earlier, many actors have faced such rumours. Prateik Smita Patil both spoke out about a common issue, which is public speculation and rumours regarding his sexual orientation.
‘Chhichhore’ actor shared in the past, “I’m done telling people I’m not gay.”
In an interview, he explained where this speculation came from. He noted that early in his career, particularly in his 20s, he received a lot of direct attention from gay men. He also mentioned that his role in the sensitive film Cobalt Blue likely fueled the rumours.
Prateik recalled handling the attention with humour and care so as not to offend anyone. However, he used this opportunity to call out the regressive attitudes that still exist in Bollywood. He pointed out that while Hollywood is highly accepting of diverse sexual orientations, Bollywood still treats homosexuality as taboo.
He expressed sadness over the unnecessary drama surrounding who people choose to love, stating simply that “love is love” and everyone should be accepted as human beings.
Does Bollywood treat homosexuality as taboo?
Bollywood’s relationship with homosexuality has evolved over the years, but the industry continues to have a contradictory approach toward LGBTQ+ representation.
For decades, queer characters in Hindi films were largely portrayed as comic stereotypes or were completely absent from mainstream cinema. Movies like ‘Dostana’ (2008) used homosexuality as a source of humour, reflecting society’s discomfort with the subject at the time. However, in recent years, films such as ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan,’ ‘Badhaai Do,’ and ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ have attempted to tell more sensitive and inclusive stories.
Several Bollywood celebrities have openly supported LGBTQ+ rights. Actors like Sonam Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Alia Bhatt, Swara Bhasker, and filmmaker Karan Johar have advocated for greater acceptance and representation of the community. Ayushmann’s ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ was particularly praised for normalising a same-sex relationship in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Kirron Kher on gays in Bollywood & LGBTQ+ rights
Kirron Kher has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and greater acceptance of the community. In an interview, she remarked that Bollywood has many “closeted gays” who feel compelled to hide their identities and pretend to be straight. She believes the film industry should lead the way in promoting acceptance and inclusivity. She also stressed the importance of education, advocating for awareness about the scientific and historical understanding of homosexuality to help dispel the misconception that sexual orientation is simply a matter of choice.
While some actors have questioned the homosexuality
At the same time, some celebrities have made controversial remarks that reignited the debate over whether Bollywood still sees homosexuality as taboo. During the promotion of ‘Gadar 2,’ actress Ameesha Patel said that OTT platforms were “full of homosexuality, gay-lesbianism” and lacked family-oriented content. Her comments drew criticism, with many accusing her of reinforcing stereotypes, though she later clarified that she had been misunderstood.
Similarly, actor Mukesh Khanna had earlier questioned the normalisation of homosexuality, calling it “unnatural,” remarks that were widely criticised on social media.
The contrasting viewpoints within the industry show that while Bollywood has become more accepting than before, complete inclusivity is still a work in progress. Today, homosexuality is no longer invisible in Hindi cinema, but the debate surrounding its representation suggests that for some sections of the industry and audience, it continues to remain a sensitive and, at times, taboo subject. After facing criticism for her comments about OTT platforms being filled with “homosexuality, gay-lesbianism” and content unsuitable for families, Ameesha Patel has clarified that she was misunderstood. The actress said her intention was only to highlight the lack of family-friendly content that can be watched together by all age groups.
In an interview with India Today, Ameesha said she has nothing against OTT platforms and actually enjoys their content. She praised shows like Shahid Kapoor’s web series and ‘The Night Manager’, calling them brilliant and admitting that she has binge-watched them.
The ‘Gadar 2’ star also expressed her desire to work in the digital space, saying she would love to be a part of a web show. However, she reiterated that alongside dark and intense stories, audiences also need more wholesome, family-oriented content. A common thread of growth and acceptance
These experiences show the challenges of dealing with public assumptions in India and remind us of the need for empathy, privacy, and acceptance in the entertainment world.
