The Portrayal of Homosexuality in Bollywood

Overview:

This project, developed for module Gender, Sexuality, and Media at the University of Nottingham, critically examines how homosexuality is depicted in Bollywood, with a particular focus on the landmark film Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020). The study explores shifts in on-screen representation and public attitudes following the historic decriminalization of homosexuality in India in 2018.

Research Focus:

• Investigates stereotypes, societal taboos, and evolving portrayals of LGBTQ+ identities in mainstream Indian cinema.

• Analyzes the narrative, characters, and cultural context of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan as it attempts to normalize same-sex love within a comedic Bollywood framework.

• Discusses intersections of law, family, identity, and tradition in the journey toward acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals in Indian society.

  
  

What I Did:

• Conducted an in-depth literature review of queer representation in Bollywood, referencing critical films from Fire (1996) to the present.

• Examined how the abolishment of Section 377 affected cinematic narratives and opportunities for nuanced LGBTQ+ portrayals.

• Provided a scene-by-scene analysis of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’s characters, dialogue, symbolism, and social impact.

• Connected filmic moments to broader academic and cultural debates about gender, heteronormativity, and resistance to homophobia.

  
  

Key Insights & Outcomes:

• Bollywood’s early portrayals of homosexuality were largely caricatured and marginalizing; recent films, though still rare, are beginning to offer more authentic, empathetic LGBTQ+ characters.

• Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan uses humor and family drama to challenge prejudice, endorse acceptance, and question societal and religious barriers to LGBTQ+ rights.

• The film’s imagery, dialogues, and motifs (such as the black cauliflower metaphor and the sequence referencing the pride flag) serve to both critique homophobia and celebrate resilience.

• The project emphasizes the need for continued, varied, and honest representations of queer lives in Indian media as tools for social change.

  
  

Full PDF:The complete essay is provided as a downloadable PDF below, including detailed film analysis, contextual research, and a comprehensive reference list.