Queer characters in Indian Pop Culture that you missed | #109
Also, the unknown queer icon of India ➡️
Hello friends
June is celebrated as Pride Month in many parts of the world. The entertainment industry in India has not historically had obvious LGBTQ+ representation in the past. So this week’s newsletter celebrates pride and looks at instances where content creators managed to put their point across.
Things we learnt this week 🤓
Imran Khan (not the cricketer) made his debut with ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’. It was also the directorial debut of screenwriter Abbas Tyrewala. In the film’s DVD (remember them?) with director’s commentary, Tyrewala mentions that the character of Shaleen, played by Sugandha Garg was supposed to be lesbian. It is also the reason why in the song ‘Pappu Can’t Dance Saala’, she is seen dancing with a girl.
Hum Paanch was a beloved show on Zee TV about a couple with 5 daughters. One of the daughters was called Kajal ‘Bhai’ played by Bhairavi Raichura. She was shown as a tomboy, who would speak like a tapori. Recent commentary about Kajal, shows her to be a LGBT icon - though people used she/her as pronouns, Kajal used he/him for self-reference. Kajal would tell people to mind their own business when asked to dress like a girl. Ekta Kapoor however has said that Kajal was a non-conformist. Cryptic indeed.
There is some evidence to suggest that Amir Khusro and Nizamuddin Auliya were a same sex couple in the 14th century. Khusro was a devotee of Auliya and would compose verses in honour of his beloved Auliya which when read today, seems replete with sexual innuendo.
Khusro has given himself to Nizam
You made me your bride when our eyes met
From IWTK, with love 💌
Here are some of the best written LGBTQ+ characters in pop culture.
Falguni Pathak is the unknown queer icon of India.
Only in India 🇮🇳
We’re speechless reading this headline, courtesy ANI.
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❤️ IWTK