7 Hindi Films Which Portray Same-Sex Relationships Differently

Hindi films like Fire (1996) have portrayed same-sex relationships even before the decriminalisation of section 377. As the audiences are excited to watch Badhaai Do, which speaks about lavender weddings, here are some Hindi films on same-sex relationships for you to check out.

Even though for a long time the third gender was shown in Bollywood as a caricature it has now taken upon itself to showcase the struggles of LGBTQIA+ community. While some portray the perceptions of Indian society about the community, others have discussed the complexities of same-sex relationships through nuanced characters.

Here are some Hindi films on same-sex relationships which put the spotlight on being queer in India.

1. Fire (1996)

Way ahead of its time, Fire had been strongly condemned by a section of the Indian audience during its release. The story revolved around Sita (Nandita Das) and Radha (Shabana Azmi), two women in their respective unhappy marriages whose husbands would rather choose to have mistresses or practice celibacy over loving their wives. They develop an unlikely intimate bond in an orthodox society.

Shabana Azmi in Deepa Mehta's Fire
Picture By: NDTV

2. Margarita With a Straw (2014)

Margarita With a Straw is a story of a girl suffering from cerebral palsy who falls in love with a Pakistani woman. Laila (Kalki Koechlin) refuses to be shamed as a cerebral palsy patient and to be recognised by her medical condition. The film is directed by Shonali Bose and includes Sayani Gupta along with Kalki Koechlin.

Image Source: Screenshot of a scene form the film

3. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga was the first Hindi film on same-sex relationships to be released after the decriminalisation of Section 377 in India in 2019. The movie revolves around Sweety (Sonam Kapoor Ahuja) who is in love with a girl and fights against all odds for the acceptance of her sexual identity.

Pic credit: Rediff.com

Suggested Reading: Ahead Of Badhaai Do: Hindi Films That Got LGBT Representation Right

4. Aligarh (2016)

Aligarh is based on the real-life story of Aligarh Muslim University professor Ramchandra Siras who was expelled from the university for having consensual sex with a rickshaw puller. The film features actor Manoj Bajpayee as Professor Siras and RajKummar Rao as a journalist in an attempt to put forward his story. Along with the discrimination faced by people from the community, the film also reflects on what it means to be queer in Indian society.

5. My Brother Nikhil (2005)

Set in the late 90s, My Brother Nikhil discusses the story of swimming champion Nikhil who contracts HIV AIDS. While he is humiliated by his friends and family as they blame his sexual identity as the cause of his disease, only his sister Anu and lover Nigel support him through all odds. My Brother Nikhil features actors Juhi Chawla as Anu, Sanjay Suri as Nikhil and Purab Kohli as Nigel.

6. Badhaai Do (2022)

The upcoming film discusses the topic of lavender marriage in same-sex relationships which refers to a marriage of convenience for queer people in order to comply with the society’s idea of an ideal marriage between a man and a woman. The movie is also based on this practice as it revolves around two gay people who decides to marry each other for the satisfaction of their families. They develop a bond of friendship as they live together while being romantically engaged with their respective partners. Badhaai Do features actors Bhumi Pednekar and RajKummar Rao and is set to release on February 11, 2022.

7. Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan (2020)

Two gay men Kartik (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Aman (Jitendra Kumar) fall in love with each other. However, they face opposition from Aman’s family as they refuse to accept their relationship. The film is directed by Hitesh Kewalya and stars actors Maanvi Gagroo, Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta and Manu Rishi Chaddha among others.