Pride Month Special: Celebrating Bollywood Stars Who Brought LGBTQ+ Stories to Life

This Pride Month, we celebrate Bollywood actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Madhuri Dixit, Kubbra Sait, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Sonam Kapoor, and Sharmila Tagore for bringing LGBTQ+ stories to life.

By Saivya Singh 16 Jun 2025 | Updated On 17 Jun 2025 20:18 IST in Bollywood

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Pride Month Special: Celebrating Bollywood Stars Who Brought LGBTQ+ Stories to Life

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As Pride Month unfolds across the world, it’s important to celebrate not just the vibrant LGBTQ+ community but also the allies and artists who have helped amplify queer voices through cinema. In Bollywood, a growing number of actors have stepped up to portray LGBTQ+ characters with empathy, authenticity, and courage — helping to break stereotypes and open hearts.

Manoj Bajpayee delivered a powerful performance in Aligarh (2015), portraying Dr. Siras, a professor who faced discrimination. Bajpayee’s portrayal was deeply moving and sparked national conversations about dignity and human rights.

Madhuri Dixit, a Bollywood icon, brought sensitivity to the role of a mother navigating her son’s coming out in Maja Ma (2022), highlighting the emotional journey of Indian families dealing with evolving identities.

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Kubbra Sait impressed audiences with her role as Kukoo, a transgender woman, in the web series Sacred Games. Her portrayal was nuanced and powerful, bringing visibility to trans narratives in mainstream entertainment.

Ayushmann Khurrana starred in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), a romantic comedy centered on a gay couple. His performance broke new ground by normalizing same-sex love in a commercial format.

Rajkummar Rao and Sonam Kapoor teamed up for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019), a film that sensitively explored lesbian identity in a traditional Punjabi setting. Sonam’s brave portrayal as a closeted young woman was both tender and trailblazing.

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Sharmila Tagore, in her return to the screen in Gulmohar (2023), portrayed a woman who embraces her truth late in life, offering a rare, graceful look at queer identity in later years.

This Pride Month, we honor these artists who dared to tell stories that matter — helping pave the way toward acceptance, visibility, and love without labels.

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