Love Above Gender : Indian Films That Show Queer Love Realistically

Today the world is changing. So our Bollywood is being more dynamic, and bringing out some realistic discrimination that every LGBT community experiences. So, Indian films are trying to show the true emotions of homosexual and their queer love in order to normalize it in Indian society. It is not a crime to feel for the same gender or it is not a crime to be confused with your sexuality. Even in Indian history on 6th Sept 2018, Section 377 of the Indian Constitution, which criminalized the intercourse of same sex has been canceled. We all are human, and love remains love and above all.  So here are some really fantastic Indian films on homosexuality that shows unique love realistically. 

 

Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan (2020)

This is a movie which is unbeatable in every sense, which became a part of Indian films of queer love stories, that has been presented so realistically. The story is about a gay couple Jitendra Kumar as Aman and Ayushmann Khurana as Kartik. The relatable family background of a middle class. And They fight for their love and defines love as love only and not as gender baised. 

 

Ek Ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga(2019)

This 2019 bollywood film with a twist of unique love story presents. How Sonam Kapoor as Sweety plays a role of a homosexual personality who falls for the same gender. The title of the story gives you hint on one side but also hides the main plot of the film. And then unavoidable fights and taking stand for ownself for the love that is simply a love. And who cares if it is with same gender or not. 

 

Kapoor & sons(2016)

The movie not only has one thought but teaches you a lot of lessons through the storyline. Siddharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan, who plays the role of brothers. They both belong to a normal relatable family background with stereotypes of marrying a man with a woman concept. But Fawad being a gay in this movie first hides the true facts about himself from his family. When his mother got to know about his homosexuality, she reacts in an uncontrollable manner. And we can exactly see the tabboos that filmmaker has tried to convey through the character of Sunita Kapoor (Ratna Pathak).

 

Aligarh (2015)

A perfect presentation of societal orthodoxy, where Manoj Bajpayee as Siras plays a role of a Professor in Aligarh University. He bears a lot of society harsh statements just because he is not heterosexual. Lots of aligations and humility that Siras has to tolerate. And then Rajkumar Rao as a journalist comes in Manoj Bajpayee’s life as saviour. He understands him, helps him and who brings out the professor’s Story. Apart from the fact that he is not a gay like Manoj Bajpayee. This film shows  reality of the society and mindsets of people. 

 

Margarita with a straw (2014)

Kalki plays a role of a teenager, who is disabled in some manners and it is a story about her. A girl explores her sexuality. After developing feelings for another girl who is blind, Sayani Gupta. And Kalki had sex with a man. But at that time she knows how serious she is about Khanum(Sayani). Kalki eventually confesses everything she understands about her sexuality and confront her mother but alike every Indian mother and society, her mother too reacts abruptly and disapproved her. But story ends like a soft lullaby and with smiling vibes. 

 

Bombay Talkies (2013)

Bombay Talkies is an anthology of short stories directed by four amazing directors of the industry. In which, a short story directed by Karan Johar with cast Rani Mukherji, Randeep Hoda and Saqib Saleem. After using homosexuality in his other movies like Dostana and Student of the Year, Karan Johar presents this queer story about homosexuality and love, justifying the concept and reality of society. Randeep Hooda,  husband to Rani Mukherji, tries to understand his sexuality, hides the fact from his wife. He portrays perplexed emotions of his head beautifully. 

 

Honeymoon travels pvt. Ltd. (2007)

This rom com Indian film shows a small part of queer love story. Where 6 couples went goa for their honeymoon and one of them, newly wed, the girl finds out that his husband is a gay and he married to her as an escape from his family questions. So here we see how hard is for a homosexual person to survive in this stereotypical society. As he has to take some steps like marrying a small town girl. 

 

Fire (1996)

This film comes when these LGBTQ and Homosexuality was a part of taboos. And this movie had to take a lot to reach to theaters. The story revolves around two married women, Sita and Radha played by Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das respectively. They gets intimate to each other when their husbands’ put mistresses over them. This movie is one of a kind. Which exposes the mentality of society and patriarchy which suppresses homosexuality and female sexual needs. And makes it one of the Indian films that show queer love.