'It's about basic human rights': Sonam Kapoor, Ian McKellen inaugurate Kashish Film Festival

Mumbai: Actress Sonam Kapoor and international star Sir Ian McKellen inaugurated the Kashish Film Festival, here late Wednesday. “I’m here for Kashish, and I’m here because I strongly believe in what this film festival stands for, that it’s a basic human rights; it’s not about being lesbian, gay, female, male, transsexual, anything, it’s about being able to be who you want to be and somebody who is just themselves. I’m a strong supporter of basic human rights,” Sonam said. [caption id=“attachment_2800076” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sir Ian McKellen with Sonam Kapoor and RJ Malishka at the 7th Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival in Mumbai. (Gautam Salvi/SOLARIS IMAGES)[/caption] McKellen is also a homosexual, who is known for his work in films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. He was present along with superstar Aamir Khan to discuss William Shakespeare at the MAMI Film Festival a few days back. “I just want to say how happy I am to be at Kashish; it’s my first visit to Mumbai. I made many friends already and I hope this evening to make many more. I’ve come to Mumbai to celebrate Shakespeare and to celebrate the connections between the United Kingdom and your country. And I’ve also come to support those who want to get rid of section 377 (which criminalizes homosexuality),” McKellen said. Kashish Film Festival is the South Asia’s biggest LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) film festival and this is the seventh edition of the festival.