The world of cinema has always been a reflection of society, portraying stories representing a diverse array of human experiences. In recent years, Bollywood has been witnessing a rise in movies that tackle the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, and the portrayal of gay characters has become an important aspect of modern cinema. The actors who take on these roles have a significant responsibility to represent their characters with authenticity and depth, and their choices are indeed bold.
From Ayushmann Khurrana to Manoj Bajpayee to Ankur Bhatia to Rajkummar Rao to Jitendra Kumar, here are a few talented actors who stood by their unconventional choice of roles:
Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar surprised everyone when he decided to take up the lead role in ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan’. The film established him as one of the strong forces to look forward to whenever there is an unconventional character. He proved that he was not just an actor for the OTT screens, but he could also carry heavyweight characters throughout a movie. The nuances that he brought to the character was praiseworthy. He managed to showcase a character that was relatable and yet was never able to open up about his reality in front of his parents and others.
Ankur Bhatia
Ankur Bhatia, known for his role in ‘Aarya’, has already been storming the internet for his bold choice of role in his upcoming film ‘Taali’. The talented actor viewed Navin with an empathetic yet inspiring outlook. Navin, a gay character, is a close friend and constant support to Gauri aka Sushmita Sen. He runs an NGO and is completely devoted to fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights. Starring alongside the legendary Sushmita Sen who plays a transgender, the actor has shown great courage to break through the shackles of conventionality. The film explores the complex emotions and struggles that come with being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Bhatia's out-of-the-ordinary choice is sure a standout.
Ayushmaan Khurrana
Another actor who surprised us with his unconventional choice is Ayushamaan Khurrana for his movie ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan’. The film explores the story of a young couple struggling to come out to their families, and Khurrana's outlook on the gay character is nothing short of inspiring. The way Khurrana saw through the character's inner conflict and the difficulties he faces is inspiring.
Rajkummar Rao
Rajkummar Rao is another actor who took a not-so-traditional approach toward a gay character in the movie ‘Badhaai Do’. ‘Shardul’ is a small-town cop who is trying to come to terms with his sexuality and break free from societal expectations. Rao's choice to embrace a non-conforming character is indeed empowering.
Manoj Bajpayee
Finally, Manoj Bajpayee diverted from the ordinary course and embraced a character that is vulnerable yet very commonplace. His approach toward the gay professor in the movie "Aligarh" is one of the bold choices of recent times. The film tells the story of a man who is ostracized from society because of his sexuality. Manoj Bajpayee’s outlook shed a focus on the level of humanity and depth that ‘Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras’ was created for.
In conclusion, these actors have shown that choice matters and that the portrayal of gay characters in cinema is an encouraging and inspiring step toward progression. The way they saw these roles is purely humane and they have incepted a revolution with their daring choices.
