UK actor Ian McKellen: ‘India needs to grow up’ about gays

In this Sept. 10, 2015 file photo, British actor Ian McKellen poses in front of beach huts on the Deauville promenade during the 41st American Film Festival in Deauville, western France. AP

MUMBAI, India— British actor Ian McKellen is quoted by a Mumbai newspaper as saying that “India needs to grow up” regarding its attitudes toward homosexuality.

The actor was in the west coast Indian city this week to promote the British Film Industry’s “Shakespeare on Film” series coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. He also dined with Bollywood stars, and plans to open the regional LGBT-themed Kashish Film Festival on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Mumbai Mirror published an interview with the openly gay actor saying it was “appalling and ironical that India would use a colonial law to oppress its homosexuals.”

The 76-year-old actor is perhaps best known for playing Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise and Magneto in the “X-Men” franchise. TVJ