5 Indian Movies That Celebrate Lesbian Love

There are very few accurate portrayals of the LGBTQ community in Indian pop culture. Even among those few, one usually finds portrayals of either gay men or transwomen, and not all of these paint the community nicely. If we asked you to think of a movie or a show that depicted a lesbian relationship, chances are, it would take you a while to think of something. But, we found 5 movies to get you started. Or, umm, watch until they make more (Bollywood, are you listening?) and make it mainstream.

1. Margarita With A Straw

Featuring Kalki Koechlin as a young girl with celebral palsy, this movie is a beautiful love story between two women studying in New York, on a path of self-discovery.

2. Fire

When this Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das starrer released back in the 90s, there was uproar. The film was banned. Posters were burnt. And the two actresses recieved a lot of flak for enacting such “shameful” roles. Decades later, it remains a classic when it comes to lesbian love in the middle class Indian society.

3. Unfreedom

Yet another film that was banned, and shouldn’t have been. This is a love story between a lesbian and a bisexual woman, and the story of their search for freedom.

4. I Can’t Think Straight

If you want a contrast between what being a lesbian is like in a country like ours, and in the developed nations where homosexuality is better accepted, watch this one. If you don’t understand why it’s a good move to decriminalise homosexuality, definitely watch this one.

5. The Journey

It’s based on a true story of two young girls in Kerala. It shows a cute little love triangle of sorts, and the extent to which people sometimes hide their emotions, and do what they need to do for the one they love!