These 12 Indian LGBT movies portray the love, longing and struggle of the LGBT community very sensitively. They are a must watch.
Often the LGBT community in India is ‘ridiculed’ and ‘made fun of’ in cinemas. There are so many stereotypes about them, which is not helping the society in becoming progressive and tolerant. But here are some movies that have dared to do the opposite.
This movie helped mainstreaming homosexuality in India. It tells a tale of a lesbian relationship which was first of it’s kind in Indian cinema. This can also be looked as a strong reaction from the patriarchal force prevalent in the society.
Another example of a film that doesn’t depict homosexuality as something abnormal or some kind of a dirty joke. This film revolves around a gay couple and tries to tackle stereotypes relating to them. This film also tried to talk about AIDS in a period where in India not much awareness was present.
It’s a collage of four stories of lives of people. Out of which ‘I Am Omar’ depicts the life of a gay person in Mumbai and how police officials misuse Article 377 and indulge in sexual harassment and blackmailing.
This film explores themes of bisexuality and sexuality of disabled people. This film was brutally honest and refreshing. This movie also portrays the Indian mindset towards homosexuality and bisexuality.
One of the first gay films in Indian Cinema which talks ‘seriously’ about homosexuality in context of urban living. It talks about three NRI’s visiting Bombay for ‘finding themselves’ or exploring homosexuality. It too moves away from reinforcing stereotypes about gay men.
This Marathi film dared to break all societal norms by talking about lesbianism in a time where to even have that kind of thought was considered a taboo. Although this movie was not given its due appreciation because of its controversial theme but undoubtedly it paved a way for homosexuality into films in India.
This Bengali film deals with a transgender filmmaker’s obsession for his bisexual cinematographer. This is supposed to be one of the first films to be shot after decriminalization of Article 377 of the IPC. It focuses on the mental trauma faced by a transgender.
Based on a Malayalam novel of the same name by author V.T Nandakumar, it describes a love affair between two girls and describes the inescapability from male-female unions prevalent in the society.
Yet another Malayalam movie which talks about the love story between two girls since childhood. It also talks about romance is interrupted by society’s attitude towards homosexuality.
This is an Indian short film which is divided into six parts and each part is based on R.Raj Rao’s poem. It is considered one of the most hardcore gay saga’s. This movie is often regarded as one of the first gay Indian cinema.
Starring Rituparno Ghosh, Deepti Naval and Raima Sen, Memories in March won the National Award for Best Feature Film. It explores a bereaved mother’s journey of coming to terms with the information of her son’s sexuality to which she became privy only after his sudden death.
Based on the true story of Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended on the grounds of morality from his position as a professor at the Aligarh Muslim University, on discovering his sexuality. Manoj Bajpayee gave a heartfelt performance as Siras in the movie under the direction of Hansal Mehta.
One should understand that being gay or a transgender is not something to be considered ‘abnormal’ or ‘weird’ and we all must respect one another’s sexual preference.
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Falling in love, marriage, a hidden secret, divorce. Despite all this, Vinita noticed her life was full of love that came in various unexpected shades!
“Aap jinke kareeb hotey hain, woh badey kush naseeb hotey hain…”
Just as Vinita was settling down into the cab seat, the driver put on music and the song started to play. It took her back immediately to that evening ten years ago, when Gautam had sung that very same song to her on the first evening they had met. She could remember every single detail of that evening so very clearly.
Neena Gupta shares her terrifying childhood experiences of being molested - like most assault survivors who often go to great measures to minimise these incidents by remaining silent, she was scared to tell her parents.
Neena Gupta shares her terrifying childhood experiences of being molested – like most assault survivors who often go to great measures to minimise these incidents by remaining silent, she was scared to tell her parents.
Trigger warning: This deals with child sexual abuse and may be triggering for survivors.
Purple Skies, a documentary on the LGBT community of India, will be screened on Doordardhan , which is a progressive step despite the Supreme Court's judgement on section 377.
Purple Skies, a documentary on the LGBT community of India, will be screened on Doordardhan , which is a progressive step despite the Supreme Court’s judgement on section 377.
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is notorious for its targeting of people who have sex with people of the same ‘gender’ or have ‘unnatural sex’. In 2008, Delhi High Court’s decision to rule on the section as unconstitutional was hailed as progressive. Alas, in 2013 the Supreme Court struck it down and recently also blocked a Gujarati film about the life of a homosexual prince, saying that some section of society may perceive ‘homosexuality akin to social evils’. So the documentary Purple Skies about Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer (LGBTQ)by Sridhar Rangyan offers a sliver of hope. It talks about the experiences and lives, hopes and disappointments of the LGBTQ community in India.
The Supreme Court's verdict on Section 377 has brought joy to all of those who support our right to equality. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes giving us clarity about this positive judgement.
The Supreme Court’s verdict on Section 377 has brought in joy to many people and couples who don’t fall in the LGBTQ spectrum, and all of those who support their right to equality. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes giving us clarity about this positive judgement.
Years of fighting has finally paid off. India is now one among the 25 countries of the world where love between people of the same gender is legally accepted. As long as there is consent for the same from both the parties, none can stop them from falling in love or being in a relationship. It is indeed a historic judgement by the Supreme Court of India.