It’s the 3rd day of October, one of the most favorite months of this generation, and with it comes the 3rd season of much-awaited British show “Heartstopper”. Based on the graphic novel by Alice Oseman, the story revolves around a group of high school students dealing with emotional challenges and the complexities of adulthood. At its core is the budding romance between the two male protagonists, while also delving deeply into the dynamics of its supporting characters.
The show has received international acclaim, and rightfully so. However, if we look at what India has to offer in terms of LGBTQ+ content, there are only a handful of shows and movies that barely scratch the surface. To name a few, we have “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan”, “Badhai Do”, and the upcoming “Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani”, which is set to release tomorrow. But how many of these films truly engage with the real issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community?
One could argue that films like “Aligarh” and “My Brother…Nikhil” take these issues more seriously, but what we still lack is a genuine drama that deals with such issues in a way that the audience can truly relate to. There is a significant portion of Indian viewers who watch Western LGBTQ+ content, and graphic novel. Many people are often seen recommending movies and shows like Call Me By Your Name” and “Brokeback Mountain” to each other on platforms like reddit and other social media sites.
If the audience is already accepting and embracing these stories, what is stopping Indian creators from making a truly grounded show featuring gender-fluid characters? A show where the narrative isn’t solely about being gay or lesbian, but instead presents a more nuanced, relatable portrayal of identity and relationships. We’d love to hear your thoughts.