One of my goals with Queer Film Reviews is to share queer films you may not have heard about. And for various reasons, many of you may not be aware of the many amazing foreign LGBTQ films. So I’ve decided to start taking you “Around The World” via queer films! First up…
India!
Now, Indian (or Hindi) cinema is actually quite an impressive industry! Popularly known as Bollywood or even Bombay Cinema, it is essentially the Indian equivalent to Hollywood. (Thus the play on the name.) Mainly based in Mumbai, Bollywood produces films in Hindi language. However, Indian Cinema includes a few other key places such as South Indian cinema and other regional film industries.
Now, I confess that I lack a full understanding of both the Hindi language and the nuances of Bollywood Films. So please keep that in mind as I share and discuss these 5 Queer Bollywood Films. Thankfully I can rely on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and other sites that rate films to help choose which ones are worth checking out. Although I keep the importance of each film’s content in mind as well as how a film is rated. After all, we are focusing on queer films and their relevance to our community!
The five queer Bollywood films below are a mix of the best rated films and films that are important to Indian queer cinema. Feel free to check them out – and feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts on my selections!
5 Queer Bollywood Films
Set in the state of Uttar Pradesh and based on true events, the plot revolves around Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras who taught Marathi at Aligarh Muslim University. He was sacked from his position of Reader and Chair of Modern Indian Languages, on charges of homosexuality. A sting operation was conducted by a TV channel which showed him in an embrace with a rickshaw puller, at his house inside the campus.
It’s important to first note that “Aligarh” is a biographical drama based on the real life story of Dr. Ramchandra Siras. The sting operation, the subsequent case against Aligarh Muslim University, and the unfortunate death of Siras is well-documented in this queer bollywood film. Although the angle with journalist Deepu is fictionalized. What is perhaps more shocking is that this powerful queer film about Indian queer history has gone unnoticed by many. Some even claim that it’s among the top underrated films coming out of Bollywood!
The main issue I had in watching “Aligarh” was the pacing; it felt like the plot hovered in certain moments and then skipped ahead with little or no explanation. But what cannot be understated is the amazing acting by Manoj Bajpayee (Siras) and Rajkumar Rao (Deepu) – wow! Overall, this is a key queer bollywood film to watch.
Two brothers, Rahul and Arjun, return home to visit their ailing grandfather to discover ongoing family problems, emotions get intensified when a girl causes a rift between both of them.
Wow! “Kapoor & Sons” surprised me – in a good way! This film is probably better classified as a queer drama film rather than a queer family film as the story is quite dramatic and unfortunately tragic. However, while I was captivated by the plot (and lost in elements that I assume are part of Bollywood cinema), I continually questioned where the queer element actually comes into play. When all the family drama came crashing down, the secret finally comes out – Rahul is gay! Thankfully things greatly improved in the last fifteen minutes as much of the family drama resolves itself. Even Rahul’s mother comes to accept Rahul, albeit very cautiously, giving the film a happy ending.
However what’s most powerful about “Kapoor & Sons” is how this mainstream Indian film changed Bollywood and Indian perception about homosexuality. Prior Bollywood films depicted homosexual characters in comedic stereotypes, not always in a positive way. Yet, Fawad Khan depicts Rahul as a man who has accepted his sexuality, yet struggles with telling his Indian family because he’s afraid of not being accepted. Many actual cite the film as a major advancement in the acceptance of homosexuality in India. And that is the main reason to watch this queer family film!
Watch “Kapoor & Sons” on Amazon, and Prime Video.
Nikhil, a bright young swimmer, finds his life falling apart after getting diagnosed with HIV. In his troubled times, he finds the support of his sister, Anamika, and his boyfriend, Nigel.
Wow – what a powerful story! “My Brother… Nikhil” beautifully recounts the struggles of the first man to test positive in Goa, India. This queer Bollywood film is actually a “fictionalised” semi-autobiographical film about a real patient and AIDS activist: Dominic d’Souza. It is also the first mainstream Indian film to deal with homosexuality – despite being released rather recently, in 2005. It is a difficult and emotional film to watch, but told in a way that works quite well. It’s more a recollection of memories by Nikhil’s family afterwards. And some of the ostracism Nikhil has to endure,… it leaves quite an impression. And the entire cast is phenomenal in bringing this story to life. It truly is a must-watch queer film!
Watch “My Brother…. Nikhil” on Prime Video.
4
In a barren, arranged marriage to an amateur swami who seeks enlightenment through celibacy, Radha’s life takes an irresistible turn when her beautiful young sister-in-law seeks to free herself from the confines of her own loveless marriage.
It took me some digging, but was finally able to find a physical copy for “Fire”. Now that I’ve seen it – it’s certainly worth being included on this list of Queer Bollywood films! When it was released in 1996, it was one of the first mainstream movies to show homosexuality on screen – and the first to depict a lesbian romance. It set India on fire – literally. Protesters started attacking theaters where “Fire” was being screened and created a controversy where it nearly was pulled from theaters. However, despite the claims, it was never actually banned in India. It’s a shame that this queer Bollywood film is so difficult to find, it should be on everyone’s watch list.
Unfortunately “Fire” is not currently available to buy/stream/watch.
Dear Dad is a bittersweet coming of age story; involving a father-son duo – 14 year old Shivam, and his 45 year old dad Nitin Swaminathan. The father-son duo embarks on an impromptu road trip from their home, in Delhi, to Mussorie, where Shivam attends boarding school. Unexpected confessions, weird strangers, accidental meetings, a drunken escapade and singing in the rain – all these add up to a complicated and sweet tale.
Oops – I didn’t get around to watching “Dear Dad” yet. It’s on my list this week though, so check back to know what I think of this queer Bollywood film!
Watch “Dear Dad” on Prime Video.
