As Pride Month celebrations continue, it's an opportune time to reflect on the progress made in LGBTQIA+ representation in Indian cinema and television. Over the years, both independent and commercial productions have made significant strides in portraying queer characters with authenticity and sensitivity. Let's explore ten Indian queer characters who have broken stereotypes and left a lasting impact on audiences.
Indian Queer Characters Breaking Stereotypes
Mathew in ‘Kaathal: The Core’ (IMDb Rating: 7.5/10)
Malayalam superstar Mammootty surprised audiences with his portrayal of Mathew, a closeted gay man in a heterosexual marriage. The film, directed by Jeo Baby, tackles the complex issue of societal expectations and personal identity.
Prof Ramchandra Siras in ‘Aligarh’ (IMDb Rating: 7.8/10)
Based on a true story, this film depicts the life of Prof Ramchandra Siras from Aligarh Muslim University. It offers a poignant look at the challenges faced by homosexuals in academic settings and broader society.
Shardul and Sumi in ‘Badhaai Do’ (IMDb Rating: 7/10)
Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar portray Shardul, a gay police officer, and Sumi, a lesbian sports teacher, respectively. Their characters challenge the notion that queer individuals can't be in traditionally masculine or feminine professions.
Rahul Kapoor in ‘Kapoor and Sons’ (IMDb Rating: 7.7/10)
Fawad Khan's portrayal of Rahul Kapoor dismantles the stereotype that gay men must be feminine. His character shows that sexuality doesn't dictate personality or appearance.
Manickam in ‘Super Deluxe’ (IMDb Rating: 8.2/10)
Vijay Sethupathi's performance as a trans woman named Manickam explores the concept of motherhood beyond biological constraints, challenging preconceptions about gender and parenting.
Laila Kapoor in ‘Margarita With a Straw’ (IMDb Rating: 7.2/10)
Kalki Koechlin plays Laila, a character with cerebral palsy who falls in love with a blind girl. This portrayal intersects disability and sexuality, offering a nuanced representation rarely seen in Indian cinema.
Don't Miss: Loved 'Panchayat 3'? 5 Underrated Neena Gupta Movies You Cannot Miss
Dev and Avinash in ‘Bombay Talkies’ (IMDb Rating: 6.6/10)
Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem play Dev and Avinash, respectively, in one of the first mainstream portrayals of a gay relationship in Indian cinema.
Dhruv and Faruq in ‘Class’ (IMDb Rating: 6.3/10)
This Netflix series explores how class differences and religious backgrounds intersect with homosexuality through the characters of Dhruv and Faruq.
Karan Mehra in ‘Made In Heaven’ (IMDb Rating: 8.2/10)
Arjun Mathur's portrayal of Karan Mehra offers insight into the lives of gay individuals striving for acceptance in a society that often pushes back against their existence.
Don't Miss: From Vadh To Ijaazat: Underrated Films That We Know You Haven't Watched
Kukoo in ‘Sacred Games’ (IMDb Rating: 8.5/10)
Kubbra Sait's performance as Kukoo, a transgender character, brings visibility to the trans community and explores themes of identity and acceptance.
These characters represent a significant shift in Indian media's approach to LGBTQIA+ representation. By portraying queer individuals as complex, multifaceted human beings rather than caricatures, these roles contribute to greater understanding and acceptance.
For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi
Herzindagi.com is Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take 2 minutes of your time, do help us out with this link.
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation