6 Honest Queer Stories in Indian Cinema You’ll Actually Want to Watch

From mockery to meaningful stories and storytelling, the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Indian television and cinema has come a long way. 

In the early 80s and 90s, people in the community were portrayed predominantly as comic characters or villains in Indian cinema. Two such films – Mast Kalandar (1991) and Dostana (2008) are perfect examples of this. 

However, today we have movies that narrate the queer community stories with pride. As part of The Better India’s Pride Month series, here is a list of top Indian films and television series that represented the people of the community and created a new wave in the industry. 

1. My Brother… Nikhil (2005)

The story is about Nikhil, a bright young swimmer, who finds his life falling apart after getting diagnosed with HIV. The movie highlights his troubled times and how he finds the support of his sister, Anamika, and his boyfriend, Nigel.

2. Aligarh (2015)

Based on a true story, Aligarh filmed the story of Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a professor on whom a sting operation was carried out to determine his sexual orientation. The professor creates a special bond with the journalist who covered his story.

3. Margarita with a Straw (2014)

This Hindi drama is about a teenage girl with cerebral palsy who relocates to the US for her undergraduate education and gets into a complex relationship with a blind girl.

These three films were considered to be the turning point in Indian cinema that sparked conversations about the community. It was in 2018 when a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India took centre stage. The top court had struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which had criminalised consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex. Following this judgment, a new wave hit the Indian cinema – there was an upswing in queer storytelling. 

4. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020)

A gay love story that was filmed as both a romantic comedy and a family entertainer. The story is about two men who are in love and face trouble convincing their parents of their relationship. When the two protagonists in the film attend a family wedding, their ‘secret’ is accidentally revealed, sparking resistance. One of their parents attempts to "fix" their son leading to a series of dramatic and comic confrontations. 

5. Badhaai Do (2022)

The story revolves around a gay man and a lesbian woman who get married to escape pressure from their families to marry straight individuals. The film highlighting challenges within the queer community itself.

These films addressed queerness with dignity, complexity, and even humour, without reducing characters only to their sexual identity. 

Here are four Indian television series that were aired on OTTs and opened space for bold narratives surrounding LGBTQ+ 

6. Geeli Pucchi (2021)

Set in a small-town factory, Geeli Pucchi tells the story of Bharti, a Dalit woman whose growing bond with an upper-caste colleague brings to light the subtle tensions of caste, gender, and sexuality. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is praised for its layered, sensitive portrayal of identity and social hierarchies, challenging deep-rooted prejudices with quiet power.

7. Made in Heaven (Amazon Prime)

The series is based on a Delhi-based duo who are even planners and cater to the elite class. The story revolves around one who marries a wealthy industrialist and the other who struggles with his sexuality and debts. 

8. Paava Kadhaigal (Netflix)

Paava Kadhaigal, or Tales of Sin, is a Tamil anthology film that explores complex relationships and societal taboos through four stories. The anthology delves into themes like honor killings, same-sex love, caste politics, rape, inter-caste/inter-faith marriage, and transphobia. 

9. Four More Shots Please! (Amazon Prime)

The series revolves around four women from different walks of life and how they handle relationships, work-life balance, ambitions, and tackle anxiety. It also features a bi-sexual character who struggles to navigate identity and relationship. 

10. Cobalt Blue (Netflix)

The story is about an aspiring author and his free-spirited sister who fall for a paying guest at their home. As their affections intensify, the relationships become secretive, leading to events that rock their traditional family set up. The guest suddenly disappears, and he leaves behind emotional wreckage, forcing the siblings to confront their identities.

As Indian cinema and television continue to evolve, there is a growth in representation of LGBTQ+ characters. This marks a powerful shift from past misrepresentations to more authentic and empathetic storytelling. 

These films and series don’t just tell queer stories, but celebrate their lives, challenge societal taboos, and pave the way for greater acceptance and understanding. 

Edited by Saumya Singh