Pride Month: From 'Aligarh' To 'Sheer Qorma': Indian Films Based On LGBTQ Issues

The LGBT community in India has often been subjected to ridicule and stereotyping in cinema. However, there are a handful of movies that have dared to challenge these norms and portray the love, longing, and struggle of the LGBT community with sensitivity and authenticity. These films have played a crucial role in mainstreaming conversations about homosexuality, bisexuality, and the challenges faced by the community. In this article, we take a look at 12 must-watch Indian LGBT movies that have left a lasting impact on audiences.

‘Aligarh’ (2016): Zee5 - (IMDb Rating: 7.8/10)

Directed by Hansal Mehta, ‘Aligarh’ is based on the true story of Ramchandra Siras, a professor at Aligarh Muslim University who was suspended on the grounds of morality after his sexuality was discovered. Manoj Bajpayee delivers a heartfelt performance as Siras, making this film a must-watch.

‘My Brother Nikhil’ (2005): YouTube - (IMDb Rating: 7.3 /10)

'My Brother Nikhil' is another example of a film that doesn't depict homosexuality as something abnormal or a dirty joke. The movie revolves around a gay couple and attempts to tackle stereotypes related to the LGBT community. It also tries to raise awareness about AIDS at a time when there was little knowledge about the disease in India.

‘Margarita With A Straw’ (2014): Netflix - (IMDb Rating: 7.2 /10)

‘Margarita With A Straw’ is a brutally honest and refreshing film that explores themes of bisexuality and the sexuality of disabled people. The movie also portrays the Indian mindset towards homosexuality and bisexuality, making it a thought-provoking watch.

‘Fire’ (1996): YouTube - (IMDb Rating: 7.1 /10)

Deepa Mehta's "Fire" was a trailblazer in Indian cinema, as it helped bring homosexuality into the mainstream discourse. The film tells the story of a lesbian relationship, which was a first for Indian cinema. "Fire" can also be seen as a strong reaction against the patriarchal forces prevalent in society.

‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ (2020): Amazon Prime - (IMDb Rating: 5.8/10)

‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ is one of the few movies that brought same-sex relationships to the mainstream fold. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar, the film revolves around a couple who have to overcome social hurdles, particularly the uber-orthodox family of one of the partners, to gain acceptance. This raw-in-the-edges yet emotional queer rendition of "Dilwale Dulhaniya Lae Jayenge" proved to be a modest success at the box office.

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‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ (2019): Netflix - (IMDb Rating: 5.6 /10)

Although ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ did not work wonders at the box office, it remains one of the few mainstream movies to portray a sapphic (lesbian) romance without resorting to fetishisation. The story revolves around Sweety, a happy-go-lucky girl from Punjab who rejects all the suitors her father chooses for her and nurses a fiercely guarded secret.

‘Sheer Qorma’: (IMDb Rating: 3/10)

Written and directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, starring Swara Bhasker, Divya Dutta and Shabana Azmi in lead roles Sheer Qorma is an ode to love and is hoping to give the message that love is beyond gender, race, religion, generation or sexuality.

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