Over time we have seen a continual change in the pace & face of Indian cinema. It was about time we changed the bizarre and jarring perspective established by irresponsible creators in cinema. From time to time, creators showcased LGBTQ characters in the most abrupt ways possible. Portrayals like Suresh Menon as Kiran Mulchandani in the 2007 movie Partner, Bobby Darling as Bobby in Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa and Rishi Kapoor as Dean Yoginder Vashishth in one way or another established one opinion about trans and gay characters that all they want is some kind of sexual pleasure and will go to any extend from forcing to groping to achieve that. Thankfully, the recent decade offered a fresh take.
With Pride Month 2022 in front of us, it’s finally time to appreciate a few movies for showcasing the roles that address the real challenges. So, here are the LGBTQ movies that will also help you see things a little differently. After all, LOVE IS LOVE.
Badhaai Do, 2022
Words will fall short to explain the experience Badhaai Do offers. The film is cute, hilarious and everything you look for in a Hindi movie. However, it brilliantly brings out the trauma, tension, disrespect and humiliation one has to go through when they come out as a homosexual person.
Badhaai Do addresses the issue in the best ways possible but there are many other reasons to watch it. The story and screenplay will keep tied to your seat. On the other hand, soulful music will make you understand the glimpses better. The chemistry between the character is wonderful, and Rajkumar Rao as Shardul and Bhumi Pednekar as Sumi are phenomenal in their roles and will make you laugh and cry with them.
If you haven’t already, please watch it. The movie is available on Netflix.
Aligarh, 2015
Aligarh movie comes from the era when homosexuality was a crime in the country. The movie is inspired by the real-life story of Prof. Ramchandra Siras played by Manoj Bajpayee. Rarely do we see Indian actors committing to roles like this. Evidently, Aligarh was not a box office hit. However, it surely made us look deep into the issue back in 2015. Siding with the LGBTQ community and representing their emotions at a time when they did not have legal rights was bold for both creators and performers.
It is a must-watch for many things including brilliant storytelling, screenplay and phenomenal performances.
Cobalt Blue, 2022
The 2022 Netflix venture, Cobalt Blue is a bold take. Though it may not be everything you are looking for, it will surely give you a new and honest take on the topic. Wrapped in the wounded lovers with longing sprinkled all over their souls, Cobalt Blue offers enigmatic chemistry and a hint of unending wait.
I have watched so many films on LGBTQ topics but Cobalt Blue comes across as the most artistically beautiful one. It represents the desire of an artist in the most poetic collage. The film revolves around a traditional Marathi family who offers shelter to a contemporary living man. The man was a living paradox. Hence, inevitably irresistible.
There are so many things in the movie that are hard to describe in words, so you would better want to watch it ASAP. Here’s the trailer for a hint.
Bombay Talkies, 2013
Bombay Talkies combines 4 brilliantly written shorts by 4 different creators. The part directed by Karan Johar starring Randeep Hooda, Rani Mukherji and Saqib Saleem showcases the complex angles men have to go through when they come out of the closet in India. I am not a fan of Karan Johar’s work but this film makes me go back to exploring the complicated viewpoint of certain established societies.
Johar has splendidly covered the labyrinthine measures of the lives of people who belong to the LGBTQ community. The movie makes it clear that the way a man is treated and the way a man is asked to behave doesn’t change who they are. It will not be false to say that it is a beautiful & most Bollywood-feely film representing the issues of the LGBTQ community.
Honorable mentions
- Kapoor and Sons, 2016
- Fire, 1996
- LOEV, 2015
- I am, 2010
- My Brother…Nikhil, 2005
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