Bollywood had a long history of being the torchbearers of romantic epics and over-the-top heroes in cinema. In recent years, the industry has looked towards more inclusive narratives. As India goes through changing social discourse regarding gender and sexuality, the Hindi film industry—and the Indian entertainment industry as a whole—has made significant, if hesitant, strides in depicting LGBTQ+ characters with greater realism, depth and sensitivity.

From mainstream icons to indie pioneers, many actors have risked defying stereotypes by becoming queer characters that transcend camp and caricature. To celebrate Pride Month, we shine a light on the actors who have portrayed such characters on screen—every poster child for the power of cinema and its ability to instigate conversation, foster empathy, and represent the diversity of human experience.

Badhaai Do

Rajkummar Rao – Badhaai Do

Rajkummar Rao in Badhaai Do plays Shardul, a gay cop who gets into a lavender marriage with a lesbian woman to avoid social disapproval. Rao's turn is nuanced, never melodramatic, conveying the daily emotional cost of living a lie. His performance brought a rare mix of vulnerability and strength, making Shardul a very sympathetic character and taking a big leap towards mainstreaming queer stories in Bollywood cinema.

Gulshan Devaiah as Guru Narayan Badhaai Do

Gulshan Devaiah – Badhaai Do

Even though he is in a supporting capacity, Gulshan Devaiah as Guru infuses heart and optimism into Badhaai Do. His romance with Rao's character is quietly moving, illustrative of how love can be in precarious, stifled spaces. Devaiah's understated performance is a reminder that representation is not only in leading roles, but also in the attention with which supporting characters are handled.

Ayushmann Khurrana as Kartik Singh Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Ayushmann Khurrana – Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Appreciated for taking risks with his selection of scripts, Ayushmann Khurrana enacted Kartik, a gay man who was willing to battle for love and acceptance. In a nation where coming out is fraught with terror, Ayushmann's feisty, unapologetic acting was newsworthy. The film used comedy to comment and generated important dialogue around homophobia and family acceptance in Indian families. 

Sonam Kapoor as Sweety Chaudhary Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

Sonam Kapoor – Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

Sonam Kapoor's portrayal of Sweety, a young woman struggling with her sexual orientation in a traditional family, opened up new ground. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha was the first Bollywood movie to feature a lesbian romance upfront in a mainstream, family-friendly format. Sonam's understated and sincere performance brought queer women into the limelight, who have until now been written out of Indian stories.

Vaani Kapoor as Maanvi Brar Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

Vaani Kapoor – Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

Taking on the complex role of a transgender woman in love with a cisgender man, Vaani Kapoor’s character in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui navigates gender identity and romantic acceptance. While the casting of a cis actor in a trans role prompted debate, Vaani’s sincere and emotionally grounded performance was praised for its dignity and nuance, helping push trans issues into Bollywood’s spotlight.

Sharmila Tagore as Kusum Batra Gulmohar

Sharmila Tagore – Gulmohar

In a rare and powerful portrayal, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore plays Kusum, a dignified matriarch who subtly asserts her queer identity in her twilight years. Gulmohar explores generational shifts and quiet rebellion, proving that coming out and self-acceptance can happen at any age. Tagore’s elegant return to the screen underlined the importance of LGBTQ+ narratives across life stages.

Madhuri Dixit as Pallavi Patel Maja Ma

Madhuri Dixit – Maja Ma

Madhuri Dixit dared the ageist, heteronormative gaze of Bollywood to portray Pallavi, a woman who reveals herself to be a lesbian to her family. Her own inner conflict and the consequences of her truth are shown with reticent elegance. In a culture where older women's wants are conveniently erased, Dixit's performance gave a welcome and unusual window into self and truthfulness.

Anshuman Jha as Veer Malhotra Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele

Anshuman Jha – Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele

Anshuman Jha's gay man taking a road trip with a lesbian woman in Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele is a film that forgoes the stereotypical romance in favor of choosing friendship and chosen family. His understated but richly emotional performance demonstrates how queer lives are full of multitudes beyond romantic desire.

Akshay Oberoi as Rohit Shanbagh Inside Edge Season 3

Akshay Oberoi – Inside Edge Season 3

As a closeted athlete navigating a hyper-masculine sports world, Akshay Oberoi’s character in Inside Edge adds unexpected emotional complexity to a series known for its high drama. His subtle, introspective performance captured the fear and tension of hiding one’s truth in an unforgiving environment.

Lisa Mishra as Sania Mistry The Royals

Lisa Mishra – The Royals

On The Royals OTT series, singer and actress Lisa Mishra plays the role of a queer woman navigating personal identity and public image in a life of privilege. Her act, while early in her acting career, highlights the range of queer stories currently being presented across media.

Manoj Bajpayee as Professor Ramchandra Siras Aligarh

Manoj Bajpayee – Aligarh

One of the most touching performances in Indian gay cinema, Manoj Bajpayee's portrayal of Professor Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh is not to be forgotten. Based on a true-life account of a university professor persecuted for his sexuality, the film tells the story of a life under siege. Bajpayee brings depth of pathos and quiet strength to the character, laying bare the brutality of homophobia and celebrating human dignity and academic freedom.

Randeep Hooda as Dev Bombay Talkies

Randeep Hooda – Bombay Talkies

In Karan Johar's short film in the Bombay Talkies anthology, Randeep Hooda is a closeted man stuck in a heterosexual marriage. His contained, somber performance presents a lifetime of repression and lost love, a raw glimpse of the emotional toll of societal expectation. His on-screen kiss with Saqib Saleem was one of the first in Indian mainstream cinema. 

See Also: From Hollywood to Bollywood: We Bring You 10 Hollywood Actors Who Have Starred In Bollywood Movies