08062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/8/2025 12:11 AM Page 1 c m y b AN EXHILARATING & FUN RIDE Sydney Sweeney shared some insight into her character’s journey on the upcoming third season of Euphoria. “Cassie is crazy,” Sydney told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. “From the genius of Sam Levinson to the raw sophistication of this profoundly moving cast and tight crew. I am honoured to be Euphoric,” she said. TRIBUNE Let it roll Life Craig Brewer, known for helming such films as Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name, is set to direct the biopic of celebrated American rapper Snoop Dogg. CHANDIGARH | SUNDAY | 8 JUNE 2025 From stereotypes to heartfelt stories I N recent years, Indian cinema and OTT platforms have begun taking progressive strides towards portraying the LGBTQ+ community with more authenticity and empathy. While there’s still a long road ahead, several Indian actors, across generations and industries, have embraced queer roles, breaking stereotypes and challenging societal norms. From veterans to new-age stars, here’s a look at actors who’ve made a mark by portraying queer characters on screen. This Pride Month, we celebrate the stars who lit up screens with powerful queer roles EMOTIONAL DEPTH Akshay Oberoi – Inside Edge Season 3 In Inside Edge Season 3, Akshay Oberoi’s character comes out as gay, a revelation that adds layers to his personality and narrative arc. Portraying a closeted athlete in a hypermasculine environment, Akshay Oberoi tackled the complexities of identity and internal conflict with a quiet, dignified intensity. His performance added emotional depth to a show primarily known for its high-octane drama. LAVENDER LOVE Rajkummar Rao – Badhaai Do Rajkummar Rao stunned audiences with his restrained and powerful performance as a gay police officer in Badhaai Do. The film explored the idea of a lavender marriage, a heterosexual marriage between a gay man and a lesbian woman to appease societal pressures. Rao’s commitment to portraying queer vulnerability without caricature was widely praised, marking a major milestone in mainstream Bollywood storytelling. CONFIDENTLY UNAPOLOGETIC Ayushmann Khurrana – Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Ayushmann Khurrana took a bold leap with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a romantic comedy centered on a gay couple. Playing Kartik, a confident, unapologetic gay man who challenges conservative attitudes, Khurrana’s portrayal was both entertaining and pioneering. He used his stardom to amplify queer narratives, sparking important conversations among Indian audiences. SHARMILA TAGORE HEARTFELT PERFORMANCE Sonam Kapoor – Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga Sonam Kapoor starred in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, one of the first mainstream Bollywood films to feature a lesbian protagonist. Portraying a young woman struggling to come out to her conservative family, Sonam delivered a gentle, heartfelt performance that helped normalize queer identity within a family-oriented narrative. DIGNIFIED OUTING Vaani Kapoor – Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui In Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Vaani Kapoor played a transgender woman with dignity and sensitivity. The film tackled themes of love, acceptance, and gender identity, and Vaani’s portrayal was widely commended for its sincerity, even as the film invited dialogue around the importance of trans representation by trans actors. AKSHAY OBEROI MADHURI DIXIT SIGNATURE POISE Sharmila Tagore – Gulmohar Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore made a graceful comeback in Gulmohar, portraying a queer matriarch who finally lives her truth in her twilight years. Her quiet assertion of her identity, delivered with her signature poise, made a strong statement about queer stories not being limited to youth or rebellion. NUANCED PERFORMANCE Madhuri Dixit – Maja Ma Madhuri Dixit surprised many with her role in Maja Ma, where she plays a middle-aged woman who comes out as a lesbian to her family. In a society that often sidelines the sexuality of older women, Dixit’s portrayal brought nuance to the character’s internal journey, balancing social expectations with self-acceptance. — TNS RAJKUMMAR RAO SONAM KAPOOR HIGH STAKES Lisa Mishra – The Royals LISA MISHRA Singer-turned-actress Lisa Mishra recently worked in the series The Royals, where she plays a queer character navigating the world of high society and royal legacy. Her inclusion in this list speaks volumes about the growing diversity of queer stories being explored in Indian OTT content. Actor Deepika Padukone on Saturday joined the cast of Telugu star Allu Arjun and director Atlee’s upcoming movie. Backed by Sun Pictures, the movie is billed as a “magnum opus”. “The Queen marches to conquer! Welcome onboard @deepikapadukone…” Sun Pictures posted on Instagram. The project will mark Padukone’s reunion with director Atlee, following their successful collaboration on the 2023 blockbuster Jawan. This follows the controversy surrounding her reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit due to creative differences though there was never any official confirmation of Padukone’s involvement in the film. — PTI Where every vision has a voice Mehak Kochhar Anumodna, a newly launched magazine by Sohrab Khandewal, an actor, writer and filmmaker, is a revolutionary magazine welcoming artistic voices from across the nation, offering them a space to bring their vision to life. The launch event was held on Friday at Chandigarh Press Club-27, drawing attention from cultural visionaries, creators and distinguished guests. Known for his roles in the web series Akoori and Untouchable, and films like Jagga Jasoos, Sohrab Khandewal made his debut as a director with the film Que Sera Sera. c m y b PHOTO VICKY Vanga’s loss, Atlee’s gain? VAANI KAPOOR Anumodna, which translates to “rejoicing in the gifts of others”, will release monthly. Sohrab Khandewal’s belief that India is heavily influenced by the western culture has inspired him to create a platform that reconnects with and celebrates Indian traditions, trends and culture.