Ahead Of Badhaai Do: Hindi Films That Got LGBT Representation Right

LGBT Bollywood movies: Badhaai Do, starring Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao, is the the official sequel to Ayushmann Kurrana, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao and Sanya Malhotra's 2018 hit Badhaai Ho. The movie, scheduled to release on 11th February, is helmed by filmmaker Harshavardhan Kulkarni. It is another attempt to normalise homosexuality and throw light on the pertinent issue of LGBTQIA+ rights.

Here are five more films that got LGBTQIA + representation correct

Fire 

Fire, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, portrayed female desire within a same sex relationship. The 1996 movie showed how sisters- in- law Radha and Sita find love, intimacy and companionship with each other after stuck in unhappy marriages and a mundane domestic life. The movie drew widespread criticism and was eventually banned from the country.

Margarita with a Straw

Margarita with a Straw starred Kalki Koechlin. It was directed by Shonali Bose and showed an intersectional representation of disability, queerness and gender. Laila, the protagonist, is a young woman who has cerebral palsy. She goes off to Manhattan to pursue her higher studies. There, she meets a a visually impaired disability activist and develops feelings for her which makes her realise that she is bisexual.

Aligarh

Directed by Hansal Mehta, Aligarh, is based on the life of Professor Ramchandra Siras. He used to teach at Aligarh Muslim University. His sexuality was revealed after he was caught in an intimate moment with another man. His workplace suspends him on grounds of gross misconduct. What follows next is a long drawn battle of being charged under Section 377 of India Penal Code. Though he was finally acquitted by the Court, he was found dead in his apartment a day before.

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan was India’s first same-sex romcom. The film starred Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta and Maanvi Gagroo. The film narrates the story of a gay man and his partner who are grappling with the problem of convincing the former's parents of their relation. 

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

The film starring Sonam Kapoor and Rajkumar Rao is a coming-of-age romantic comedy film directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar. The screenplay is written by Dhar and Gazal Dhaliwal. The movie shows how Sweety Chaudhary, a closeted lesbian, comes out to her conservative family.

Suggested Reading : 5 Desi Movies With Queer Lead Characters To Watch This Valentine’s Day