But are we?
Indian Cinema has come a long way in portraying the queer community in movies/shows and one can mark a difference in the plots concerning them.
Effeminate characters in the plot
Earlier, a mere effeminate character in the plot as a comedian or antagonist
with no significant role in the film would suffice. Take Sangharsh for instance, a movie released in 1999 portraying Ashutosh Rana as a bloodthirsty serial killer, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (Tamil movie released in 2006) consisting of a couple were serial killers. Bombay Velvet (released in
2015) depicting Karan Johar’s character as a vicious one (Kaizad Khambatta), all pushing the
audience into believing and developing queer-phobia.
Having said that, there have been undeniably brilliant scrips written like Fire (1996) directed
by Mira Nayyar, delicately and subtly rendering both queer characters pivotal in the movie.
Cut to recently released, Badhaai Do (2022), written by the writer of Badhaai Ho (2018),
Akshat Gildhial, throws light on the concept of lavender marriage that commonly exists in
our society today to hinge on a happier future of both the parties in the tie.
A take on two socially-suppressed human beings from the LGBTQ
The ones from the community that eventually give in to the pressure of “settling down” by their families - A twist in the tale - this is their well-kept secret. The storyline is comical with main focus on the lives of the characters. Rajkumar Rao (Shardul Thakur) is a police
officer while Suman Singh plays a physical trainer in a school. Both have an encounter with
each other over a dating app mishap where Suman Singh is catfished by a boy instead of a
girl. On learning about the orientation of Sumi (Suman Singh), Shardul feels confident to
come out of the closet and suggests a wed lock between the two to escape the mounting
barbs from their folks.
Just as they feel, they’ve conquered the impossible, Shardul’s family
begins to nudge them for a child. After many failed attempts, Shardul’s mother is sent to spy
on them to learn about the predicaments they must be facing in their marriage to not have
a kid in time. Eventually the story unfolds in a predictable manner of everyone finding out
the truth about each of them ; Shardul being gay and Sumi being a lesbian, however after
reproving of their orientation in the most insensitive manner, they come on agreeable
terms with the arrangement. There is an adopted child involved in the set-up as Sumi always
wanted one and Shardul happily agrees for the same.
A simple arrangement
This simple arrangement portrayed in the end come with a lot of complexities (not in reel
but in real life). Despite the attempt to make this movie a typical Bollywood one with main
focus on LGBTQ community in our country, the movie seems slightly unrealistic.
The inclusion of a child in the wed-lock made me wonder in worry for psychological impact it
would have on child in future and the confusion that would prevail. I understand the reason
why such step may have been taken as India doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage or civil
unions until now.
However, a lack of commitment from LGBTQ partners in future with no
legal union may become traumatic for the kid. With Indian culture of families being
participative in every phase of our lives, lavender marriage still remains a dreamy concept.
The real question is – is our Indian society ready to accept LGBTQ community as equal as
humans of other orientation?
I wouldn’t say the plot of the movie was flat as it definitely was an eye opener for many,
however the concept could have been less dramatized and the reaction of the folks could
have been slightly positive to render themselves as inspiration for many parents out there
who’ve been struggling to accept their kids as they are.
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