Pioneering Queer Forces in Bollywood; Evolution of Queerness Represented on Screen

Queerness in Bollywood:  Ekta Kapoor in collaboration with Dibaker Banerjee is bringing back to the screen the sequel of Banerjee's footage drama anthology 'Love, Sex Aur Dhoka 2'. The teaser shared by Balaji Motion Picture unveiled a transgender model and actor taking the stage as the first lead of a mainstream Bollywood movie. The makers of the movie also went to the extent of bringing the real-life struggle of Bonita Rajpurohit front via an introductory video of the actress. 

 

 

 

 

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While the occasion is a momentous one for the queer community to find a real representation of themselves in a non-comical or caricaturish way with a transgender woman coming on screen voicing their lived struggles and insecurities, it is noteworthy that the journey to find nuanced and sincere representation in Bollywood has been a long with, and would have been impossible without some of the pioneering forces who changed the scenes. 

Pakhi Sharma aka Bobby Darling is the first openly queer person witnessed by Hindi cinema. Her filmography traces back 17 years with a total of 32 films to support her caliber. What made it difficult for her was the typecasting and misappropriation of her gender on and off-screen. Nevertheless, her resilience and representation have paved the way for others. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Pakhi Sharma (@darlingbobby)

National Award Winning film director, actor, writer, and lyricist Rituparno Gosh, known for his works including 'Choker Bali' and 'Raincoat' owned his sexuality as a gay person back in the 2000s emerging as a beam of sunshine for many closeted queer individuals.   

A trailblazing force in contemporary cinema shaping the narrative and representation of queerness in intersection with feminism, patriarchy, disability, and gender norms in society, Shonali Bose's bisexuality only powered her to tell more stories from a queer lens keeping her women characters in focus. Laila directed by Bose in 'Margarita with a Straw' is a fine example of her craft and representation. 

 

 

 

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GenZ queer identity finally found representation in Bollywood with Zoya Akhtar's Archies where Yuvraj Menda as Dilton Doiley brought a ray of hope to find more queer characters written and played with sincerity and honesty.

With 'LSD 2', Bonita is now in the eyes of a pioneering first lead trans actress in a Bollywood movie. She has been motivated to promote the rights and issues of the LGBTQIA+ community as a model, influencer, and writer. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Bonita Rajpurohit (@boniiiiiiiiita)

 

As the representation of queerness in Bollywood evolves there is hope to see the challenges, accomplishments, and insecurities of the LGBTQAI+ identity finding more ground, reaching more people.