The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Cinema

If Bollywood had a relationship status with LGBTQ+ representation in Bollywood, it would read: “It’s complicated.” For decades, Indian cinema has oscillated between mocking, marginalizing, and—more recently—meaningfully representing queer narratives. From the caricatured “comic relief” gay characters of yesteryears to the nuanced, emotionally rich LGBTQ+ representation in Bollywood today, the journey has been anything but smooth. But hey, progress is progress! Read more on the evolution of LGBTQ+ narratives

Flashback: The Dark Ages of LGBTQ+ Representation in Bollywood

Before the rainbow flag found its way into mainstream Indian storytelling, LGBTQ+ representation in Bollywood was often reduced to walking punchlines. Think of the effeminate sidekick, the overly flirtatious man hitting on the hero (cue awkward laughter), or the “villainous” transgender person meant to evoke fear rather than empathy. Films like Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), directed by Nikkhil Advani, treated homosexuality as a running joke, reinforcing the idea that queerness was something to be laughed at. Explore more LGBTQ+ stereotypes in Indian cinema

Transgender representation was even more problematic. Hijra characters—often portrayed by cisgender actors—were either mystical sages or ominous antagonists, reinforcing stereotypes without delving into real struggles. Examples include Sangharsh (1999), where Ashutosh Rana played a terrifying hijra villain, further cementing negative tropes.

The industry also saw depictions in Dostana (2008), directed by Tarun Mansukhani, which revolved around two men pretending to be a gay couple. While it was a commercial success, it reinforced harmful stereotypes by reducing queerness to an exaggerated joke.

The Turning Point: Baby Steps Toward LGBTQ+ Representation in Bollywood

The tide started turning in the 2000s, albeit slowly. Deepa Mehta’s Fire (1996), starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, was ahead of its time, showcasing a tender same-sex relationship between two women trapped in loveless marriages. Of course, this was met with protests and theater attacks—because how dare cinema reflect real-life identities? Read more on LGBTQ+ censorship in Indian cinema

Still, the 2010s saw filmmakers tentatively stepping out of the comfort zone. Kapoor & Sons (2016), directed by Shakun Batra and written by Ayesha Devitre and Batra, gave us a gay protagonist (played by Fawad Khan) whose sexuality was neither a punchline nor a dramatic spectacle. It was just…a part of who he was. This subtle shift marked an important milestone: normalization. How Bollywood is normalizing LGBTQ+ stories

The New Wave: When Bollywood Finally ‘Came Out’

Fast forward to the present, and we’re seeing some genuinely moving, mainstream queer storytelling. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), directed by Hitesh Kewalya and starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar, put a gay love story front and center in a commercial Bollywood film. This wasn’t an art-house indie film for niche audiences; this was Bollywood saying, “Love is love, and it sells tickets too.” Check out Bollywood’s best LGBTQ+ movies

Films like Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), directed by Abhishek Kapoor and starring Vaani Kapoor as a transgender woman, attempted to tackle trans narratives, although with mixed reception (the casting of a cisgender actor as a trans woman was widely criticized). Still, the mere existence of these films shows that Bollywood is engaging with LGBTQ+ stories in ways we never saw before. More on transgender representation in Indian media

A crucial milestone was Aligarh (2015), directed by Hansal Mehta, starring Manoj Bajpayee as a professor suspended for his sexual orientation. The film was widely acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ issues. Check out an in-depth review of Aligarh

Regional Cinema: The Real Trailblazers in LGBTQ+ Representation

While Bollywood is just waking up to LGBTQ+ representation in Bollywood, regional Indian cinema has been doing the heavy lifting for years. Tamil film Super Deluxe (2019), directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja and featuring Vijay Sethupathi as a transgender woman, offered a sensitive portrayal of gender identity.

Bengali cinema has long engaged with queer themes, with films like , directed by Rituparno Ghosh, presenting a deeply personal exploration of gender and transformation.

Malayalam cinema has also been ahead of Bollywood, with films like Njan Marykutty  (2018), directed by Ranjith Sankar, portraying a trans woman’s journey with grace and dignity. Meanwhile, Nagarkirtan (2017), directed by Kaushik Ganguly, provided one of the most heartfelt representations of transgender identity in Indian cinema. How regional cinema is shaping LGBTQ+ narratives

The Rise of LGBTQ+ Representation in Web Series and Biopics

Beyond mainstream films, web series and biopics have played a crucial role in changing narratives. One of the most important projects in recent times is Taali (2023), a web series starring Sushmita Sen as transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant. Directed by Ravi Jadhav, the series traces the life and struggles of Sawant, shedding light on the journey of India’s transgender community and their legal battles. Read more about Taali and Shreegauri Sawant’s story

What’s Next? Bollywood’s To-Do List for LGBTQ+ Representation

While progress is happening, there’s still work to be done:

• Better Casting Choices: Trans roles should be played by trans actors. Period. Why authentic casting matters
• More Complex Stories: Queer narratives should go beyond “coming out” and trauma. Where’s our queer rom-com? Our LGBTQ+ action hero? Exploring genre diversity in LGBTQ+ films
• Representation Behind the Camera: More LGBTQ+ writers and directors are needed to ensure authenticity. How queer storytellers are changing Indian cinema

Bollywood has come a long way from treating queerness as a joke to giving it the dignity it deserves. The silver screen is finally catching up with the rainbow, and while the journey is far from over, the script is definitely improving.