Take a look at these Indian films that beautifully portray LGBTQ+ narratives:
1. My Brother Nikhil
2. Aligarh
3. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
4. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
5. Badhaai Do
6. Margarita With a Straw
7. Kapoor and Sons
1. My Brother Nikhil
My Brother Nikhil is a drama directed by Onir, one of the few openly gay directors of Bollywood. The film was released in 2005 and grabbed eyeballs by the way it portrayed a gay male character. The film follows the story of an AIDS patient, Nikhil Kapoor who is the protagonist of the film and his journey in dealing with the disease without feeling ashamed or being looked at with pity. The film stars Sanjay Suri, Purab Kohli, Juhi Chawla, Lillete Dubey and Victor Banerjee in lead roles.
2. Aligarh
Directed by Hansal Mehta, the film follows the story of a professor at the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University who has to deal with social ostracism after his affair with a rickshaw driver gets exposed. The film includes gut-wrenching performances from actor Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao. This film forever remains a landmark movie on this subject and is bound to make you feel goosebumps this pride month.
3. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar, this film remains one of the few mainstream movies to portray a sapphic (lesbian) romance openly. The film revolves around a happy-go-lucky girl from Punjab named Sweety who rejects all the suitors her father chooses for her and nurses a fiercely guarded secret. The star cast of the film includes Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla and Akshay Oberoi in pivotal roles.
4. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a film directed by Hitesh Kewalya, was one of the few movies to bring same-sex relationships to the mainstream fold and in public limelight. The film follows the journey of a couple who need to tackle past social hurdles and their uber-orthodox families to gain acceptance from them and society as a whole. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Maanvi Gagroo and Gajraj Rao, the film is sure to convey the message it carries whilst entertaining you.
5. Badhaai Do
A Harshvardhan Kulkarni directorial, Badhaai Do is a comedy drama starring Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar in lead roles. The film narrates the story of two homosexual people who decide to undergo a lavender marriage, compromising in order to please conservative sections of society and avoid being discovered.
6. Margarita With a Straw
The film Margarita With A Straw highlights two important issues, first one being homosexuality and the second one being disability. It showcases the discrimination people from both groups face in society while following the journey of the protagonist, Laila on her discovery of love and newer horizons in the future. The film stars Kalki Koechlin, Sayani Gupta, Kuljeet Singh and Revathi in lead roles.
7. Kapoor and Sons
Directed by Shakun Batra, Kapoor and Sons is a romance drama which portrays the complexities that a family faces due to differences in opinions. The film explores the theme of homosexuality through the character, Rahul Kapoor who finds it difficult to reveal his sexuality adding another depth to the family tensions before ultimately bringing them together. The star cast of the film includes Rishi Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Alia Bhatt, Siddharth Malhotra, Ratna Pathak Shah and Rajat Kapoor in lead roles.
The films will truly captivate your thoughts and imagination, giving you a new perspective to look at this sensitive issue. Pride Month is a time to appreciate the LGBTQIA+ community, their stories, struggles and triumphs. Hindi cinema has always played a pivotal role in bringing these narratives to the forefront, offering powerful, moving and sometimes heart-wrenching insights into the lives of these individuals.
From revealing their experiences and struggles of coming out and dealing with societal rejection right to the joy of self-discovery and love, watching these films this Pride Month is a way to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering empathy and understanding across all audiences and striving for unwavering support to the community. The above-mentioned films are sure to grab your attention and leave you absolutely spellbound by the compelling narratives, versatile acting and unique themes.
