From mockery to meaningful stories and storytelling, the representation of the LGBTQ community in Indian television and cinema has come a long way.

In the early 80s and 90s, people in the community were portrayed predominantly as comic characters or villains in Indian cinema. Two such films – Mast Kalandar (1991) and Dostana (2008) are perfect examples of this.

However, today we have movies that narrate the queer community stories with pride. As part of The Better India’s Pride Month series, here is a list of top Indian films and television series that represented the people of the community and created a new wave in the industry.

1. My Brother… Nikhil (2005)

The story is about Nikhil, a bright young swimmer, who finds his life falling apart after getting diagnosed with HIV. The movie highlights his troubled times and how he finds the support of his sister, Anamika, and his boyfriend, Nigel.

2. Aligarh (2015)

Based on a true story, Aligarh filmed the story of Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a professor on whom a sting operation was carried out to determine his sexual orientation. The professor creates a special bond with the journalist who covered his story.

3. Margarita with a........

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