From Kajal Bhai in Hum Paanch to Rekha, the queer icons who made the LGBTQ community feel seen

Queer icons don’t necessarily have to identify as queer to resonate deeply with the queer community

It was a wintry night in November 2017. The air at Kitty Su, Delhi’s iconic queer nightspot, was electric. The club was celebrating the tenth  anniversary of the Delhi Queer Pride Parade with a party that promised to be unforgettable. Headlining the event was Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, fresh off her victory on RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race. She was just getting the night started. Members of Indian drag royalty, including Rani Kohenur, Maya the Drag Queen, Roveena Tampon, and Ivanka Das, were gearing up to deliver a Moulin Rouge-themed performance thereafter.

In the crowd was a young Durga Gawde (they/them), then in their mid-20s and just beginning to explore their drag king persona, “Shakti.” Durga decided to drop by backstage, where a fateful encounter awaited them. It’s where they ran into Rani Kohenur, aka Sushant Divgikr, who would soon become their drag mother and mentor.

“Before I could compliment her, she complimented me and took my number! We immediately felt at home with each other, and she asked me to join her just a few hours before she went on stage,” recalls Durga with a grin. “Since then, I’ve been learning from her by watching and observing her process—how the clothes were made, how the make-up was done. She inspired me to bring my queerness into my performances.” Now 31 years old and living in Goa, Durga has also created a drag queen persona, “Duraflex the Dominatrix”, which they embody as a non-binary performer.

Growing up, Durga didn’t see many people like themselves in the media: queer, brown, and assigned female at birth. One character, however, made them feel seen: Kajal Bhai from Hum Paanch, a Hindi-language sitcom that aired from 1995 to 1999. “Everyone just referred to them as ‘bhai.’ Kajal Bhai didn’t care too much about what others thought and always spoke their mind. I loved that!” says Durga. “In one episode, their grandmother was visiting and made a comment about Kajal Bhai’s clothes. In response, they just popped their collar and said that it was their style!”

Kajal Bhai’s character was never explicitly queer, in that there was no coming out or use of queer terminologies. When the show began re-airing online during the pandemic-induced lockdowns, many fans echoed Durga’s sentiments, speculating about Kajal Bhai’s queerness. However, the show’s producer, Ekta Kapoor, dismissed these fan theories, stating that Kajal bhai was “definitely a non-conformist.” But does that mean Kajal Bhai cannot be a queer icon?

Queer Icons are Beyond Labels!

Queer icons don’t necessarily have to identify as queer to resonate deeply with the queer community. Often, their queerness is subtly woven into their persona and actions, allowing individuals to see reflections of themselves in these characters. Many performers and celebrities globally, from Kylie Minogue to the members of the Korean pop-band, BTS, may not openly discuss their personal lives or explicitly identify as queer. However, they still represent queer empowerment and validation through their work and actions. This ability to subtly embody queerness often makes these icons even more relatable and significant to members of the community.

Like many others, Sushant Divgikr (she/they/he) grew up idolising the legendary Bollywood actor Rekha. In an old clip from her interview with Simi Garewal, Rekha playfully responded to Garewal’s question about her personal life by asking why she couldn’t marry a woman. “I always knew she was Mother Supreme!” says Sushant with a laugh.

In the queer community, the term “mother” is a cherished title, drawing from the rich queer history of drag houses and chosen families that have long been a cornerstone of support and mentorship around the world. “Every character Rekha portrayed was so diverse and yet, all of them were iconic!” adds Sushant, who has emulated the actor throughout their career and even shared screen space with her. “I have had the privilege of being gifted three Kanjivaram sarees from her personal collection, by Rekha herself ,on national television,” reminisces Sushant.

Indian queer folx have also found icons in Bollywood legends like Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. These actors have captivated audiences with their multifaceted roles and magnetic screen presence. Madhuri, in particular, made waves when she starred as a queer character in the film Dedh Ishqiya (2014), breaking new ground in mainstream Indian cinema. Her portrayal was a rare and powerful moment of explicit queer representation on-screen by a veteran actor. 

However, explicit queer representation and openly queer performers are few and far between  in Indian media. Any queer person who steps into the spotlight also carries the weight of being an advocate for queer rights. This role is fraught with challenges, as the performers may not fully encompass the experiences that exist at various intersectionalities within the queer community, such as caste, disability, and language, among others. Moreover, the gatekeeping of access to on-screen roles means that many queer stories remain untold, and those who do make it, often have to navigate a complex landscape of representation and advocacy, alongside their own career aspirations. 

The Call for Authentic Queer Representation

While actor Vaani Kapoor's portrayal of a trans woman in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), Sonam Kapoor’s role as a lesbian in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019), and Vijay Sethupathi’s act as a trans-woman in Super Deluxe (2019) have been well-received by larger audiences, they have also faced criticism from queer individuals. Many argue that these characters could have been more authentically portrayed by queer actors themselves. This sentiment also underscores a broader issue: the need for queer screenwriters and creatives to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the forefront.

Just as screenwriters like Atika Chohan have infused female characters with colour, flavour, and personality, queer screenwriters need to be empowered to move away from the heteronormative male gaze and hero-centric approach that has dominated mainstream Indian cinema for decades. This shift is essential to ensure that queer stories are told with the depth, authenticity, and nuance that they deserve, reflecting the true diversity of the queer community.

Queerness, after all, is a spectrum, and representation comes in many forms. Whether through a fearless TV character or a dazzling drag performance, these icons continue to inspire and empower, showing that queerness is not just about labels but about authenticity, expression, and the courage to be oneself, despite the oppressive norms imposed by society. 

Though representations in the past often lacked explicit portrayals, currently we are witnessing a rise of openly queer performers such as Sushant Divgikr, Durga Gawde, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, Vidur Sethi, and Anwesh Sahoo, who are stepping into the spotlight. Vidur Sethi (they/them), an actor, writer, and curator who starred as the protagonist in Onir’s 2023 release, Pinecone, articulates a vision that emphasises the need for stories of queer joy, resilience, and the full spectrum of the human experience.

“It’s crucial to have more intersectional queer narratives of the Dalit community, the disabled and neurodivergent folks. Major media houses need to back these voices with their resources and influence, and this would mark the true queering of cinema," they add.

The industry now faces the vital task of presenting these artists with care through well-crafted, multidimensional characters. Embracing their genuine experiences is crucial for fostering true queer visibility and representation in the media. As Vidur aptly concludes, "Queerness aims to topple all structures that discriminate, violate, and subjugate.” And by understanding that, we can see how queerness guides us toward a more inclusive and accepting future for everyone.

Also Read: For lesbians, coming out to their mothers involves unlearning notions of gendered roles and stereotypes

Also Read: The queer influence on everyday wardrobes

Also Read: Joyland’s trans actor Alina Khan is hopeful for the portrayal of queerness in Pakistani cinema