Eighth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Although queer sexualities are mentioned in the ancient Indian texts like Kamasutra and Anangaranga, to fight for the LGBTQIAP+ political rights and equal opportunities is a recent phenomenon in Indian society that has been largely influenced by the global queer political struggles. The representation of female queer sexualities still takes a back seat both in the queer movement and cinema in India. Lesbians, bisexual women and the FAB (female assigned at birth) are the categories that have been least represented within the queer movement as most “women” are forced into heterosexual and caste-endogamous marriage in Indian communities. However, a few recent films like Awe (2018, Telugu popular film), Ek Ladiki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019, Hindi popular film), Geeli Pucchi (2021, Hindi short film), Badhaai Do (2022, Hindu popular film), Monster (2022, Malayalam popular film) have explicitly portrayed lesbianism and FAB sexualities on the screen. These films have influenced the way the female queer sexualities are perceived by people in Indian society. Though these select feature films have attempted to open up a space for discussion and debate on queer sexualities, they have also contributed to solidify certain prejudices against the LGBTQIAP+ politics in general and female queer sexualities in particular. This paper aims to unravel the implicit ways in which the select feature films have contributed to the formation of certain prejudices and false notions around female homosexuality and queer sexualities.