Celebrating Pride Month — Bollywood Actors Who Have Portrayed Queer Characters On Screen

Rajkummar Rao – Badhaai Do: Rajkummar Rao stunned audiences with his restrained and powerful performance as a gay police officer in Badhaai Do. The film explored the idea of a lavender marriage between a gay man and a lesbian woman to appease societal pressures. Rao’s commitment to portraying queer vulnerability without caricature was widely praised, marking a major milestone in mainstream Bollywood storytelling. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Sonam Kapoor – Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga: Sonam Kapoor starred in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, one of the first mainstream Bollywood films to feature a lesbian protagonist. Portraying a young woman struggling to come out to her conservative family, Sonam delivered a gentle, heartfelt performance that helped normalize queer identity within a family-oriented narrative. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Ayushmann Khurrana – Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan: Ayushmann Khurrana took a bold leap with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a romantic comedy centered around a gay couple. Playing Kartik, a confident, unapologetic gay man who challenges conservative attitudes, Khurrana’s portrayal was both entertaining and pioneering. He used his stardom to amplify queer narratives, sparking important conversations among Indian audiences. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Madhuri Dixit – Maja Ma: Madhuri Dixit surprised many with her role in Maja Ma, where she plays a middle-aged woman who comes out as a lesbian to her family. In a society that often sidelines the sexuality of older women, Dixit’s portrayal brought nuance to the character’s internal journey, balancing social expectations with self-acceptance. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Vaani Kapoor – Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui: In Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Vaani Kapoor played a transgender woman with dignity and sensitivity. The film tackled themes of love, acceptance, and gender identity, and Vaani’s portrayal was widely commended for its sincerity, even as the film invited dialogue around the importance of trans representation by trans actors. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Sharmila Tagore – Gulmohar: Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore made a graceful comeback in Gulmohar, portraying a queer matriarch who finally lives her truth in her twilight years. Her quiet assertion of her identity, delivered with her signature poise, made a strong statement about queer stories not being limited to youth or rebellion. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Gulshan Devaiah – Badhaai Do: Also seen in Badhaai Do, Gulshan Devaiah plays a potential love interest for Rajkummar Rao’s character. In a brief yet impactful role, Devaiah’s charm and sincerity left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of normalized queer representation in Bollywood. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Akshay Oberoi – Inside Edge Season 3: In Inside Edge Season 3, Akshay Oberoi’s character comes out as gay, a revelation that adds layers to his personality and narrative arc. Portraying a closeted athlete in a hyper-masculine environment, Oberoi tackled the complexities of identity and internal conflict with a quiet, dignified intensity. His performance added emotional depth to a show primarily known for its high-octane drama. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)

Anshuman Jha – Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele: In Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele, Anshuman Jha plays a gay man embarking on an unexpected road trip with a lesbian woman, exploring themes of friendship, acceptance, and chosen family. Jha’s understated, sensitive portrayal adds to the emotional core of the film, celebrating queer companionship beyond romantic clichés. (Image Source: Special Arrangement)