EMPATHY ON SCREEN: THE EVOLUTION OF QUEER VOICES IN INDIAN FILM

Jezik, književnost i empatija (2025) (426-436. str.)

AUTOR(I) / AUTHOR(S):Dharti Sharma Barnali Chetia

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DOI: 10.46793/LLE25.426S

SAŽETAK / ABSTRACT:

Homophobia in India has deep historical and socio-cultural roots, shaped by colonial-era morality, religious conservatism, and rigid gender norms. While pre-colonial Indian texts and traditions offered fluid understandings of gender and sexuality, the imposition of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code by the British criminalized “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” rendering queer identities illegal and socially deviant for over 150 years (Narrain & Chandran, 2016). The law, until its partial decriminalization in 2018, symbolized the systematic erasure and marginalization of LGBTQ+ lives, reinforcing societal stigma and legal discrimination. Against this backdrop, Indian media has both reflected and resisted homophobic attitudes. Early representations in films like Fire (1996) and Mango Soufflé (2002) were met with fierce backlash, protests, and censorship, highlighting the discomfort with queer visibility in the public sphere. however, these films also sparked crucial discourse, challenging heteronormative expectations and opening space for empathetic storytelling. The shift continued with My Brother… Nikhil (2005), Margarita with a Straw (2014), and Aligarh (2015). This paper examines how such films employ empathy as a narrative strategy, foregrounding human complexity, emotional depth, and social vulnerability. Through an interdisciplinary lens combining queer theory, media studies, and cultural empathy, the study investigates how post-377 media narratives are reshaping public perceptions and fostering more inclusive cultural imaginaries. While resistance persists, especially from conservative sectors, empathetic storytelling in Indian media continues to challenge normative boundaries, offering queer voices the dignity and visibility long denied.

KLJUČNE REČI / KEYWORDS:

LGBTQ+ representation, Indian cinema, empathetic storytelling, post-377

PROJEKAT / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

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