Abundance of queer characters, but where are the actors?

Even as more films and OTT shows incorporate LGBTQIA+ characters in the script, finding actors from the community to play these roles could be a challenge

- Debolina Sen, M Suganth & Saptaparna Biswas

Alia Bhatt and Vijay Raaz, who plays Razia Bai, a transwoman, in Gangubai Kathiawadi

Trans actor Jeeva Subramaniyam, known for her roles in Vijay Sethupathi’s Dharmadurai and Rajinikanth’s Darbar, has been busy. “I have wrapped up shooting for 24 projects, including a web series. My roles here are integral to the story — not tokenism,” she says.

In Nani’s Telugu film, Singham Singh Roy, trans actor Shree Ghatak plays a transgender devdasi. Shree, who made her debut with the Celina Jaitly-starrer Season’s Greetings, is happy to play a character “which is portrayed sensitively.” She welcomes this “gradual but significant change in the collective mindset.”

Actor Vidur Sethi, who identifies himself as queer, is prepping for his debut in Onir’s film, Pine Cone, which traces the life and loves of a queer character. In an earlier interview with this publication, he had said, “I might be stereotyped, but I’m not scared... I would love to do as many queer roles as possible, but I also want to play other characters.”

The stage seems to be set for queer characters to enjoy the spotlight. But are there enough actors from the LGBTQIA+ community who can fit into the roles?

EVEN THOUGH I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A GOOD QUEER ACTOR AS THE LEAD, AS A FILMMAKER I DON’T WANT TO PUSH ANYONE TO COME OUT, BECAUSE IT IS A CRUEL INDUSTRY AND MANY CAREERS ARE AT STAKE

— Onir