As Pride Month celebrates love, identity, and the right to live authentically, it’s also a moment to spotlight stories that amplify LGBTQ+ voices on screen. While Indian cinema has had a slow but significant journey in representing queer lives, streaming platforms like Netflix are now home to a growing collection of films and series that explore these narratives with honesty and heart. From intimate journeys of self-discovery to bold social commentaries, here are five Indian titles on Netflix that reflect queer experiences—each a meaningful watch this Pride Month.

‘The Royals’:

Starring Ishan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar in the leading roles, ‘The Royals’ is a Pratish Nandi Communications production, directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana. In this series that shows romance between Ishan as the titular king of a fictitious royal family of ‘Morpur’ and Bhumi as an ambitious CEO, there is also a lesbian love story between princess Divyaranjini aka Jini (Kavya Trehan) and Nikki (Lisa Mishra). The rom-com explores the relationship of Jini and Nikki, while also showcasing how Jini tries hard not to reveal her real sexual identity but eventually discloses it to his brothers and, of course, Nikki.

‘Dabba Cartel’:

Actor Anjali Anand, best known for playing Ranveer Singh’s sister in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani’, played the character of Shahida, who falls in love with Preeti (Sai Tamhankar). Created by Shibani Dandekar Akhtar, this crime thriller series which is set in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1960s, reflects on the queer relationship between Shahida and Preeti, and how they navigate through social and political upheaval.

‘Ajeeb Daastaans’:

In the 2021 anthology ‘Ajeeb Daastaans’, director Neeraj Ghaywan’s story ‘Geeli Pucchi’ tells the story of Bharti (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Preeti (Aditi Rao Hydari). The story explores various themes, including ambition, caste, and sexual identity. In this segment of ‘Ajeeb Daastaans’, the story focuses on how Bharti and Preeti’s relationship evolves personally and professionally. It also shows how Preeti refuses to accept her sexual identity, and eventually has a baby with her husband. ‘Geeli Pucchi’ narrates a complex yet beautiful same-sex tale with a mature storyline.

‘Badhaai Do’:

With Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi in the lead, ‘Badhaai Do’ is a story of two queer individuals who decide to get married to each other, in order to keep their sexual identities hidden from their respective families. However, trouble begins when their families build pressure on them to have a baby, unaware of their homosexuality. The film sheds light on the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces in Indian society.

‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’:

Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ features Ayushmann Khurrana as a heterosexual man and Vaani Kapoor as a trans woman. The story revolves around Manu (Ayushmann), who falls in love with Maanvi. As they get into a sexual relationship, Manu proposes to Maanvi for marriage, only for her to confess that she is a trans woman. ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ is a sensitive take on the acceptance and challenges of trans people in society.

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