LGBTQ+ Representation in Bollywood
Cinema extends beyond the realm of entertainment; it is a reflection of societys views, a guide for the next generation, and one of the main sources of information in swaths of rural areas.
In Indias society, members of the LBTQ+ community are often degraded due to the labels and prejudices rooted in ignorance and propagated by the media, namely the popular entertainment industry Bollywood. Throughout its history, queer characters have simply not existed, or have been reduced to bright pink wigs, smudged makeup, and a high-pitched girly voice. Transgender people have been used as mockery and comic relief props, with lesbians being used to titillate the audience while gay men flirted with everyone at every chance. This caricaturish portrayal of queer characters in mainstream media only furthers the stereotypes. Due to the harassment and maltreatment, many fear coming out and receive no support from family, despite the Indian Supreme Courts legalization of homosexuality in 2018. However, the cinema landscape, alongside the publics perspective, is gradually evolving with the times as films such as Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga starring established actors make their way to the box office.
Hopefully one day, eventually, LGBTQ topics in India will be accepted without a second thought.
Sources:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lgbt-diversity-bollywood-1156702/
https://www.mensxp.com/lgbt/life/47428-bollywood-has-a-gay-problem-and-it-rsquo-s-time-we-talked-about-it.html
https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/pride-month-bollywood-s-queer-eye-how-lgbtq-representation-has-evolved-in-cinema-101622897366942.html