Same-sex marriage: How Bollywood films and OTT have highlighted the issue

Four More Shots Please, Made in Heaven Season 2 and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan are among web series and films that have shown same-sex relationships

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. The five-judge Constitution bench, in a unanimous verdict, rejected petitions seeking same-sex marriage in India, and refused to tweak provisions of the Special Marriage Act. Indian filmmakers have explored the trials and tribulations of same-sex marriage in several films, sometimes with a touch of humour. Of late, many OTT projects have also portrayed same-sex relationships and their struggle for recognition.

Here are some of the most prominent projects on Indian screens that have portrayed a compelling narrative around same-sex relationships and marriage.

Made in Heaven Season 2

The series, which hinges on the life of two wedding planners, takes up several societal issues through the various marriages they show in each episode. One episode in the second season which released a few months ago, showed a 'commitment ceremony' for a lesbian couple, Aditi and Radhika, played by Anusha Dandekar and Sheena Khalid. Radhika is reluctant to invite her homophobic parents, but Tara and Aditi invite them anyway; Radhika's mother ultimately appears at the ceremony to support her daughter.

Four More Shots Please

Bani J and Lisa Ray's characters, fitness trainer Umang and actress Samara Kapoor, are seen in a lesbian relationship, which leads up to a big fat wedding in the last season. The marriage falls through at the altar, but till then, the show's makers ensure that the audience gets a big fat enjoyable Indian wedding. While Umang is seen struggling to come out to her family for the longest times, Samara is seen keeping her sexuality as a secret mostly to maintain her public image. 

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

This comedy film tells the story of a gay man and his partner, who have trouble convincing the former's parents of their relationship. Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar play the lead pair. While Jitendra's parents try to get him married to a woman, Ayushmann tries to foil their plan and encourage his partner to come out to his family. 

Badhaai Do

This film had the topic of lavender marriage at its core, showing a man and a woman tying the knot to hide their real sexual preferences. Rajkummar Rao plays a gay cop, while Bhumi Pednekar is a lesbian. They agree to marry each other as both are plagued by the same issue - they cannot openly be with the partner they love. 

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