she/her, bisexual/pansexual/idk just rolling with it, big time fan of a bunch of stuff, everything from fantasy book series to kpop to asian ql dramas, please feel free to dm, send asks or tag me in stuff
(Now also including stuff from south asia in general! Because I cannot help myself)
A couple of days ago, @impala124 sent @lurkingshan an ask about the lack of discussion about Queer Indian Media in fandom spaces. I wrote about it here, @neuroticbookworm here, and @waitmyturtles here (both of them have excellent points, I highly recommend you read their posts!). It's become quite apparent that people are willing to watch and engage in discourse about queer Indian media, it's just that the lack of popularity and accessibility makes it harder for people to start. So, I've decided to make a list tracking all of the queer Indian media I know of, and hopefully also any meta/discourse about it, which is an idea I've had floating in my head for months now.
This list is by no means comprehensive, so if you have recs, send them my way! Text me on DM, send an ask, tag me in your posts, whatever. And though it's not possible for me to watch everything on the list, I will be slowly going through as many of these as I can and writing about them, as well as hopefully finding more stuff and easier to access versions for the ones that are harder to access right now. This post is going to be a slow work in progress, but I'm hoping to update it regularly. So, if you'd like me to keep you updated, let me know through the tags/replies and I will tag you in future posts!
I've tagged the people who've recommended certain shows alongside each show. Everything on here is available online. The hyperlinked titles lead you to the media itself, meaning that it's available for free online with subtitles. Other details will be mentioned separately. If you want to watch something but can't access it, DM me and I'll see if i can help you.
(The list was getting too long so I've put all of the recs under the cut)
Disclaimer: The media I have watched/read have recommendation ratings (which will not always reflect my enjoyment of something, rather are based on how much I'd recommend it). While I did lightly screen everything on here, the criteria was 'has a trailer or otherwise showing queerness to be a central theme in the story' and 'is available online', so take that into account if you decide to pick something up, and definitely watch trailers and/or skim the wikipedia pages beforehand.
Movies
Fire | English | @neuroticbookwormΒ
Recommendation: 9/10
A 1996 movie surrounding a lesbian couple packed with commentary on religion, class, purity culture and more.
Quick Pitch + Historical Context
Badnam Basti | Hindi
Kapoor & Sons | Hindi | @neuroticbookworm
Available on Netflix, Prime, and paid on Youtube and Apple TV
Kaathal-The Core | Malayalam | @neuroticbookwormΒ
Officially on Prime, also available grey without subtitles
Meta by @ineffable-opinions
Super Deluxe | Tamil | @neuroticbookwormΒ
Officially on a paid streaming service called aha, grey on youtube
Dear Dad | Hindi | @neuroticbookwormΒ
This is grey on youtube without subtitles, available officially on Disney Hotstar and Amazon Prime
Recommendation: 7.75
Follows a father and a son on a road trip, during which the son accidentally learns that his father is gay. The son struggles with reconciling with the new information, leading to conflict.
Geeli Puchi (Ajeeb Dastaans) | Hindi | @blorbingqls @neuroticbookwormΒ
Available on Netflix
Cobalt Blue | Hindi | @blorbingqls
Officially on Netflix, also available grey without subtitles
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga | Hindi | @fallsouthwinter @usertoxicyaoi @neuroticbookworm
Available officially on Netflix, but can also be found grey in two parts without subtitles
Recommendation: 7.5/10
What seems like a typical bollywood movie about a man falling in love with a girl who's family opposes their marriage takes a turn halfway through when it is revealed that the girl has a secret girlfriend. The protagonist then resolves to help the pair by convincing the family to accept them.
Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish | Bengali | @silverquillsideas @neuroticbookwormΒ
I believe it's available on prime, but you might need to do some digging. Also available grey on youtube without subtitles (the movie is in part Bengali, part English)
Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan | Hindi | @silverquillsideasΒ @twig-tea @neuroticbookworm
Officially on Amazon, grey on youtube without subtitles
Maja Ma | Hindi | @flyingrosebeetle @silverquillsideasΒ
Available on Amazon Prime
Badhaai Do | Hindi
Officially on Netflix, available grey on youtube without subtitles
Loev | Hindi
Available on youtube with Spanish (I think?) subtitles
Margarita With A Straw | Hindi
I believe this is a cut version, it is officially on Netflix which is likely the uncut version
Recommendation: 9/10
A self-discovery story about an Indian woman named Laila with cerebral palsy with great rep and beautiful execution.
Meta by @wen-kexing-apologist
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui | Hindi | anon
Available grey without subtitles, officially on Netflix
Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani | Hindi | @flowerbeasblog @aneechan
Officially on Jio Cinema, also available grey without subtitles
Time Out | Hindi
Available on Netflix
My Brotherβ¦Nikhil | Hindi
Available on youtube without subtitles, also on Amazon Prime
My Son Is Gay | Tamil
Hindi dub available on youtube without subtitles
Little Hearts | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
Available officially on Amazon Prime
There's multiple storylines, one of which is queer
Meta by @ineffable-opinions
Moothon | Malayalam | @non-beingnary
This is grey on youtube without subtitles, it's officially on Amazon Prime and Zee5, both need subscriptions
Aligarh | Hindi | @ayoungroyal
This is grey with subtitles, it says the subtitles are in hindi for some reason but they're actually in English. Officially on several subscription platforms: JioCinema, Zee5, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Recommendation: 8/10
Based on a true story, the movie is about a professor who is outed as gay when he is recorded while in bed with a man, and is suspended from his position in the university as a result, in addition to being shunned by society. The movie follows his budding friendship with a journalist who initially sought him out to report on his story, and their fight for justice.
Mumbai Police | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
Gulmohar | Hindi | @nihilisticcondensedmilk
Gaami | Telugu | @ineffable-opinions
Officially on Zee5 for free (you do need an account), unsure if subtitles are available but guessing no. Hindi dubs are available officially on Amazon Prime with subtitles and grey (1 & 2) without
Ardhanari | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
Ka Bodyscapes | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
I'm assuming the above link is official but I honestly have no clue. Available alternatively also with subs grey
Sancharram | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
B 32 Muthal 44 Vare | Malayalam | @ineffable-opinions
Available officially on C Space with english subtitles where you can rent it out, also available grey without subtitles (1, 2 & 3)
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai | Tamil | @ineffable-opinions
Available officially on Sunnxt with subtitles, which requires you to sign up and has some free content and some paid, unsure if KEPU is free. Can be bought/rented on Youtube. Available grey (1, 2, 3), but only parts 1 and 3 seems to have eng subs
Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) | Marathi
Available officially on Netflix, though you might need a vpn set to India
Recommendation: 9.5/10
It follows Anand, a man from Mumbai who returns to his village for a 10 day mourning period following his father's death, reconnecting and kindling a romance with his childhood friend Balya.
My thoughts
Evening Shadows | Hindi
Available officially to buy/rent on Youtube, also available grey without subtitles
Shows
Romil and Jugal | Hindi | @anixknowsnothin
You do need a vpn if you're outside India to watch it with the above link, it's also grey on youtube without subtitles
Recommendation: 8.5/10
India's modern gay remake of Romeo and Juliet, five years before Bad Buddy
Random thoughts
The Married Woman | Hindi | @a-not-knowing-bisexual-wizard
Dev DD Season 2 | Hindi
Legitimately no clue whether this and the prev are grey or official
Made in Heaven | Hindi | @flyingrosebeetle @non-beingnary @neuroticbookworm
Available on Prime
All About Section 377, Still About Section 377 | Hindi
The Story Tales S2 | Gujrati
Insomnia | Hindi
It's a streaming service I've never heard of before, not unlike Gaga, this is one of the darker shows on the list so please do check out the trailer beforehand
Amra 2GayTher | Bengali
Available on two streaming services here and here, both paid
Happy Family, Conditions Apply | Hindi | @non-beingnary
Officially on Amazon Prime, first episode available for free on the official youtube
As far as I know, it's a sitcom with a queer subplot, but I'm not sure how relevant it is to the story
His Storyy | Hindi
Officially on Zee5 for free but you do need to register, unsure of whether or not subtitles are available but guessing no
Murder In Mahim | Hindi | @soberbutsleepless
This is grey without subtitles, its available officially on JioCinema but you need a subscription
Sweet Kaaram Coffee | Tamil | @nihilisticcondensedmilk
Officially on Amazon Prime, no idea if it's with subtitles
The Sting of Lavender | Manipuri | @ineffable-opinions
The seventh and penultimate episode seems to have been privated/deleted from the channel for some reason
Mini gls from @twig-tea (og post here)
Firsts S3 | @tinyreadinglifelight
Neverland
Maaya 2
Last two eps do not have subtitles but the story is followable
The βOtherβ Love Story @/silverquillsideasΒ
Just Another Love Story
Short Films
Sisak | Hindi | @blorbingqls
Recommendation: 8.5/10
A fifteen minute silent film about two men who experience mutual attraction to one another while on the same train during their daily commute. It's impactful, and it says a lot without saying anything.
Vaidya | Hindi
U for Usha | Hindi
Wajood | Hindi
Wig | Hindi
TAPS | Hindi
Thiruthai Avale | Tamil
Neha | Tamil
Vali | Tamil
Books
Memory of Light | English
Recommendation: 5/10
A historical book set during the colonial era, the lesbian romance is mostly a subplot that loses its way towards the end. It's kind of a drag, but the history component is somewhat interesting.
Don't Let Him Know | Englsih
Recommendation Rating: 8/10 with serious trigger warnings including rape. It's a brutally honest book designed to make the reader uncomfortable, so proceed with caution. I personally liked it quite a lot, but that's majorly because of how authentic the book felt.
Falling Into Place | English
Recommendation Rating: 8/10
A modern lesbian romance that follows similar beats to the typical thai bl/gl. A little underdeveloped in some places, but overall quite good.
My Magical Palace | English
Funny Boy | English
Cobalt Blue | English
The Paths Of Marriage | English
Marriage Of A Thousand Lies | English
Babyji | English
A Life Apart | English
The Devourers | English
Nights Like This | English
She of the Mountains | English
Love Bi The Way | English
Your Driver is Waiting | English
The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy | English
All This Could Be Different | English
A World Between | English
The Henna Wars | English
Hani and Ishuβs Guide to Fake Dating | English
The Dos and Donuts of Love | English
Indian Winter | English
Kari (Graphic Novel) | English
The Other Man | English
The Sea Elephants | English
What a Desi Girl Wants | English
The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali | English
Zara Hossain Is Here | English
Meet Me in Mumbai | English
Dulhaniyaa | English
The Saint of Bright Doors | English
One Day I Locked My Flat in Soul City | English
The Wisest Fool on Earth and Other Plays | English
Hostel Room 131Β | English
Lady Lolita's LoverΒ | English
Madam, Give Me My Sex | English
Crocodile Tears | English
The Broken Rainbow: Poems and Translations | English
A Slight Angle | English
Chocolate and Other Stories on Male-Male Desire | English (compilation of translations from Hindi)
Lihaaf | Urdu (english translation)
Machli Mari Hui | Hindi
Kulli Bhaat | Hindi | English translation: A Life Misspent
Entering The Maze | Bengali (+english translation available)
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all throughout june, some of our fave LGBTQ+ creators are streaming, hosting charity events, doing marathons, playing games, hanging out, and raising money for our lgbtq+ youth programs.
we keep bringing digital pride back every year because we know not every queer young person can safely or easily access pride events in person. whether itβs because of where you live, finances, safety, disability, family circumstances, or anything else - you still deserve community, celebration, and queer joy.
weβll be sharing stream announcements and schedules on IG and bsky throughout the month so you know exactly when and where to tune in and support.
happy to announce that 1UP Gaming Festival came back for their 3rd annual Pride charity event. over 30 streamers will stream across 7 days while raising funds for our lgbtq+ youth programs (honoreddd)!
their goal is to help us raise $5,000 - see their schedule here, meet the creators, see what games and activities they'll be streaming, and make a donation to support their goal: 1upgamingfestival.com/pride26
the Great Palia Charity Hunt is BACK and they're raising funds for our lgbtq+ youth programs!
hosted by Behind_TheLash_Streaming, you can follow along all pride month long as 50+ streamers compete head-to-head, mining for rare star stones all around Palia, while raising funds for It Gets Better.
we've got the full schedule here.
their goal is $20,000 for queer youth (!!) - y'all can see upcoming streams, drop in, and make a donation to support their goal here: tiltify.com/@behindthelash/tgpch19pride
next stream is here! join galaxyjellobear for some cozy Digital Pride streams, while raising funds for lgbtq+ youth! π£ June 6th @ 6pm ET/3pm PT: Stardew Valley π£ June 20th @ 6pm ET/3pm PT: Golf with Your Friends π£ June 27th @ 6pm ET/3pm PT: Sun Haven pop in and make a donation to support: twitch.tv/galaxyjellobear
Bakugou and Kitty!Kiri on their way to class. Poor Kiri, his paws arenβt exactly suited for bag handles. Meanwhile, Shinsou nearly has a heart attack at the sight of those jumbo-sized beans.
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Once when I was in undergrad, someone described something as βproblematicβ in class and our professor was like, βThatβs cool, but βproblematicβ doesnβt really mean anything. It means that the thing youβre describing has a problem, and in and of itself thatβs not bad. Art, especially, should always have problems, or else itβs not interesting and not art, either. It sounds like youβre trying to say that this is bad, but you donβt want to say βbad.β Is that right?β
So from then on whenever one of us called something problematic, he would make us talk it out until we could name the βbadβ thing we were hinting at. In this particular class, 7/10 it was some type of oppression, and the remainder was like, βIβm uncomfortable because this is very new/confusing/pushing boundaries that made me feel safe.β
Once we stopped calling things βproblematicβ and stopping at that, class got way more interesting and... we all had to say, like, βthatβs racistβ or βthatβs misogynisticβ or βew capitalism grossβ out loud, which a lot of us had never done in a classroom before. Or we had to be like, βUhhh... Iβm not sure whatβs so bad?β and confront our own beliefs and that was maybe even more useful.
Anyway. Whenever I see the word problematic, I canβt help but think of this professor being like, βGood starting point, now letβs get specific.β I think when we have to commit to saying βthatβs ___β it requires a lot more careful thought about the truth and impact and complexities of whatever weβre claiming. Sometimes there really is some bullshit afoot, and also sometimes itβs art, and it should be full of problems, because thatβs what art is.
#'this is present in the text' is often a good first step #but those second and third ones (naming it; describing its function) are vital (via @elucubrare)
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH TO ALL OF YOU π³οΈβππ³οΈββ§οΈπ letβs parade even for those people who canβt be in the street, weβll be louder even for you π£οΈπ
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Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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