From Fire to Made In Heaven: Hindi films and shows that represent Queer community

The Supreme Court of India, the nation’s highest judicial authority, recently delivered its verdict on the contentious matter of same-sex marriage, bringing an end to years of debate. In a decision that garnered significant attention, the apex court declined to grant marriage equality rights to the LGBTQIA+ community in India. Led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and composed of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha, the Constitution Bench had previously reserved its judgement in May following the extensive hearings of 20 petitions.

This decision arrived five years after the landmark ruling by the apex court, which invalidated Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

While the community is still fighting for their rights to get married in the country, we have listed down a set of Hindi films and series that in some way represent the queer or LGBTQ+ community of India.

Fire (1996)

Directed by Deepa Mehta, Fire stars Nandita Das and Shabana Azmi. The film is often regarded as a landmark film in Indian cinema for its bold portrayal of a same-sex relationship. It created a significant impact by addressing LGBTQ+ themes at a time when such subjects were considered taboo in Indian society. The film received both acclaim and controversy, sparking discussions about homosexuality and women’s rights in India. Fire tells the story of two sisters-in-law, Radha and Sita, who develop a deep emotional and romantic connection with each other, despite the constraints of traditional Indian family values.

Margarita With A Straw (2014)

Directed by Shonali Bose, Margarita with a Straw tells the story of a young woman named Laila (Kalki Koechlin), who has cerebral palsy. Laila embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring her sexuality and seeking independence. The film is known for portraying disability and sexuality in a sensitive and realistic manner, and it received critical acclaim for its performances and storytelling.

Kapoor & Sons (2016)

Known for its nuanced and sensitive portrayal of a gay character in a mainstream Bollywood film, Kapoor & Sons is a 2016 film directed by Shakun Batra. Fawad Khan’s role in the film was appreciated for its depth and the dignity with which the character was portrayed. The movie delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges faced by the character in coming out to his family, offering a compassionate and realistic depiction of his journey.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)

Starring Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, and Juhi Chawla, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is a 2019 film directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar, that tells the story of a young woman who must navigate societal expectations and her own feelings as she comes to terms with her sexual orientation. It’s known for being one of the first mainstream Bollywood films to portray a lesbian story.

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020)

Directed by Hitesh Kewalya, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a romantic comedy that represents a gay couple and explores the challenges they face, both within their families and in society. The film is known for its combination of humour and social commentary to shed light on the discrimination and prejudices faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in India. It starred Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar as a same-sex couple.

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021)

The 2021 romantic drama Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, starring Vaani Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a transsexual woman. The film further addressed the issues of societal prejudices and challenged the norms of love and relationships in a conservative Indian society.

Badhaai Do (2022)

A spiritual sequel to the 2018 film Badhaai Ho, Badhaai Do, which was directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, tells the story of homosexual individuals who enter into a lavender marriage. The film was critically claimed by both the critics and the audience for its portrayal of closet gays and lesbians along with their challenges of coming out in front of society and their families.

Made In Heaven (2019-2023)

Made In Heaven is a groundbreaking Indian series which chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi running an agency named Made in Heaven. The series was created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti. The show is also known for representing the LGBTQ+ community, where the lead character Karan Mehra (Arjun Mathur) portrays the role of a gay individual, who deals with his relationships, while the second season of the series showed his struggling relationship with his mother, who is not ready to accept her son’s sexual identity. 

The second season of the series introduced us to Meher Chaudhry played by Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, a transwoman wedding planner in the Made In Heaven team. It also focuses on her struggles with relationships while also focusing on the nuanced mindset of the individuals in our Indian society.  

The series further showcased a ‘commitment ceremony’ for Aditi and Radhika, a loving lesbian couple portrayed by Shibani Dandekar Akhtar and Sheena Khalid. Radhika hesitated to extend an invitation to her parents, who held homophobic views. However, Tara and Aditi decided to extend the invitation on Radhika’s behalf. To their surprise, Radhika’s mother eventually attended the ceremony, offering her support to her daughter.

See Also: LGBT Movies that were Done Right in Bollywood