Curated for Pride Library, University of Western Ontorio, Canada
Copyright Sridhar Rangayan, 2009
Please write to us for permission to use any text on this site
DISCLAIMER: All interpretations and readings is by the author. All the images and videos on this site have been used only for reference, collated from sources on the internet.
BollyQueer collection contains features, shorts and documentaries from India that have portrayed queer people and/or queer themes - films from popular entertainers to indies to documentaries & short films - portrayals that could be interpreted to be queer, in its broadest sense.
From the sissy characters, to the coded gay characters and homoerotic subtext to the cruel stereotypes to the progressive sensitive portrayals that have been emerging of late, this collection depicts in a sense how Indian cinema has portrayed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters. It is a history of cinematic representation that runs parallel to the gay rights movement for visibility and acceptance.
Queering Bollywood is an exercise in reclaiming queer representation which till now remained shrouded and scattered. It takes forward research done by academicians, film critics and historians of Indian cinema over the years and collating them to offer an all inclusive spectrum of representation of LGBTQ themes and characters.
A word of caution - the word Bolly is used rather loosely and not in a defined or restrictive way.
This collection will hopefully, not just serve a bibliographical purpose, but persuade gay and straight people to examine the role that popular culture plays in shaping our attitudes about sexual orientation and gender identity.
This collection, right now represents ONLY films that were curated for the Pride Library. This is just a starting point and more films and readings would be added soon. In the meanwhile you could send in your suggestions, ideas and titles which you think are 'queer' or could have a 'queer reading'.
About
Research Associate: Saagar Gupta
queer portrayals in Indian films