8 Amazing Bollywood LGBTQIA+ Movies To Add To Your Watchlist If Haven't Seen Them Already!

Gone are the days when Bollywood movies were only about entertainment and masala, today, we see different genres that experiment and explore various dynamics of our society and bring them on the big screen gracefully. And our entertainment industry has finally started delving into sharing stories and talking about the LGBTQIA+ community, and we’re here for it! Just like the rest of the world, even Bollywood is making some remarkable movies that create discourse around the important topic of sexuality, so if you haven’t seen them yet, it’s time you do! Bookmark your faves and tick ‘em off your watchlist one by one. 

1. Badhai Do

Badhai Do is a recent masterstroke of Bollywood that premiered on Feb 11th, 2022. This one beautifully talks about compromises of Indian marriages and societal pressure on the LGBTQIA+ community and how they cope. The plot revolves around Sumi and Shardul who are in love with their respective partners but agree to marry each other as a cover from societal and family pressure. What unveils further is a beautiful family drama that will touch your heart. Both Rajkumar Rao and Bhumi Pendekar excelled in their roles and delivered utmost justice to the storyline.

Watch Online | Still running in theatres / Will be premiered on Netflix from March 2nd week. (Approximately)

2. Shubh Mangal Zada Savdhan

Living by the expectations, Ayushman Khurana’s Shubh Mangal Zada Savdhan is another gem that subtly delivers a message to society to accept love in whatever form it comes. It is a beautiful heartwarming story that will make you laugh till your stomach hurts and yet touch your heart. Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar play the role of a gay couple who are on their way to attending a rather unusual wedding. This couple goes against all odds, trying to win the acceptance of their families and putting forth the message of love through humour. And, not to mention, the mind-blowing performances by Jitendra Kumar, Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta and all other actors that just make this one a visual delight. 

Watch Online | Shubh Mangal Zada Savdhan

3. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

Picture Credits: netflix

Starring the father-daughter duo, Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, this movie beautifully sheds light on LGBTQ+ issues and complex human emotions around them. The storyline is about Sweety, played by Sonam Kapoor, who is set to marry a writer, Rajkumar Rao as per her family’s wishes. As the date of the wedding comes close she struggles to reveal her true love interest and how she finally opens up to it is the basic plot of this movie. Watch this one for a dose of family drama with a twist and a heartwarming ending.

Watch Online Here | Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

4. Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

Picture Credits: _vaanikapoor_

Next up on our list is Ayushman Khurana and Vani Kapoor starring Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui which is a delightful treat to sore eyes. This one beautifully depicts that humans are humans and should never be categorised and discriminated against in any way for who they truly are. The plot of this one revolves around Manu, a bodybuilder from Chandigarh who falls in love with Maanvi, a Zumba teacher who is someone who has been through a lot and when she reveals her true identity to Manu, it causes turmoil in their love story unveiling complex human emotions and stereotypes. This one truly deserves an addition to your watch list. 

Watch Online | Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

5. Kapoor & Sons

Kapoor & Sons retell the story of a  dysfunctional family that has drifted apart because of several issues. When they come together, old wounds are dug up and fights ensue. It is during this chaos that one of the brothers comes out of the closet and owns up to his sexuality. Though it is not wholly based on homosexuality this movie does, however, talk about the struggles and the concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Watch Online Here | Kapoor & Sons

6. Margarita With A Straw

Kalki Koechlin starring Margarita With A Straw is a fine piece of art that will truly sweep you off your feet. The plot of this one revolves around a teenager with Cerebral Palsy who falls in love with a blind Pakistani woman and unveils the concept of bisexuality, emotional overdrive and other complex dynamics. Kalki blows our minds with her rather extraordinary performance and this is a must-watch if not for the story then definitely for her brilliant performance.  

Watch Online Here | Margarita With A Straw

7. Fire

Picture Credits: primevideo

Released in 1998, Deepa Mehta’s film “Fire” was, by all means, way ahead of its time. This one revolves around Sita and Radha, who are young Indian women in loveless marriages. This miserable situation and wrecked relations with their husbands lead them to form an intimate, passionate relationship amidst a close-minded society. Together, they must choose to either live for each other or live by society’s norms.

Watch Online Here  | Fire

8. My Brother…Nikhil

Released in 2005, My Brother…Nikhil was a revolutionary movie of that era. This one in particular talks about  AIDS and homosexuality. The storyline revolves around Nikhil, a champion swimmer who gets diagnosed with HIV and is later forced to come out of the closet and as a result, is taken off his swim team. This one will show you the mirror to a part of society that is straight-up brutal and biased. While watching this one, definitely keep some tissues handy!

Watch Online Here | My Brother…Nikhil

So, here’s a list of flicks that y’all can stream and don’t forget that tub of popcorn. Happy watching!