8. Anshuman Jha as Veer- Hum Bhai Akele Tum Bhi Akele
Yes, Anshuman Jha played the gay protagonist, Veer, in the Zareen Khan starrer. While the movie deals with the characters beyond gender binaries, Anshuman perfectly portrayed the queer community in the most relatable way.
9. Sonam Kapoor as Sweety Chaudhary- Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Set in a small town in Punjab, ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ is a quintessential love story mixed with songs, dances, and family drama but with a twist. The female lead Sweety (Sonam Kapoor Ahuja) confesses that the real ‘siyappa’ is she is in love with a girl, not with Rajkummar Rao’s character.
Sonam’s character as a confined lesbian, seeking acceptance from her family, was a significant moment for LGBT+ characters in a mainstream Bollywood movie.
10. Shaban Azmi as Radha- Fire
‘Fire’, starring Shabana Azmi, was way ahead of its time- a movie that is based on a same-sex relationship. Shabana not only took the bold step of doing a lesbian kiss on-screen but also relatably portrayed the role of Radha, a submissive woman who is dominated and ignored by her husband.
The story revolves around Sita (Das) and Radha (Azmi) whose husbands choose celibacy or mistresses over their wives. This leads them to form an intimate, passionate relationship amidst a close-minded society.
