This Pride month, hook yourself to these 5 amazing web series!!!

We are raised in a society where the queer community has been often mocked, be it in series or films, and shows portraying it as comedy. But today, the world and this mindset is gradually changing.

We now see shows that are more welcoming to this community, showcasing ‘Love is equal’ and a lot more. Today, web-series include more inspiring, accepting LGBTQ characters with more motivating content for the community. The take is more sensitive and will help educate the society while bringing more acceptance and respect for the community like every other individual with rights to freedom and expression of his/her own. While there is a long journey to go until these conversations are normalised, here are five series to watch. These shows truly acknowledge the community featuring strong LGBTQ roles.

1. FIRSTS – SEASON 3
Available on : Dice Media’s Youtube Channel
Known for giving viewers fresh, unique and relatable content, Dice Media, through the third season of Firsts, explores an exciting story focusing on a same gender relationship. Ritu and Lavanya, starring talented actors Shreya Gupto and Himika Bose, are two women in their twenties who start living together after their second date. The two young ladies find themselves in a series of firsts as they navigate life, love and more during the lockdown. The show narrates captivating lives of these young ladies and brings a strong message of love is equal for all. Since this show offers a fresh take on how same gender relationships evolve and experience love like normal couples, it should definitely be added to your must watch list.

2. THE MARRIED WOMAN
Available on : ALT BALAJI
The show, based on a popular novel ‘A Married Woman’ by Manju Kapur, deals with various issues like social taboos that one does not generally witness in a day to day life. It is present in the most subtle forms and prevails in every section of  a  society. The show took a brave take by showcasing this narrative to inorder to find solutions to such discrimination. ALT Balaji’s `The Married Woman’ is about a married woman Astha, who is on the lookout to find her individuality. The series revolves around an urban relationship drama about women and the conditioning pushed by society, while the women take up a journey to find themselves. Popular Actors Monica Dogra and Ridhi Dogra play the role of these women, along with Actors Suhaas Ahuja, Imaad Shah, amongst others.

3. AJEEB DASTANS

Available on: Netflix

Ajeeb Daastaans is an anthology that revolves around not one, but two different same- sex relationships. Geeli Pucchi is a take on a lesbian relationship from a small town in West Bengal. The protagonists Bharti Mandal played by Konkona Sen Sharma and Priya Sharma played by Aditi Rao Hydari have beautifully portrayed the tension between the two and a camaraderie everyone roots for. Geeli Puccchi explores their relationship as they navigate patriarchy, ingrained prejudice and loneliness.

4. FOUR MORE SHOTS PLEASE – SEASON 2
Available on : Amazon Prime Video
The second season of Four More Shots focused primarily on the relationship between Umang played by Bani J and Sama played by Lisa Ray. Anu Menon and Nupur Asthana curated the series that streamed on Amazon Prime Video. The season displays the complications, the love and the romance experienced by the couple being in a same-sex relationship. The series stars Sayani Gupta, Bani J, Kirti Kulhari, and Maanvi Gagroo.

5. ROMIL & JUGAL
Available on : ALT BALAJI

ALTBalaji has been portraying LGBTQ characters and their stories without the typical stereotyping as usually seen on Indian screens. A show named – Romil and Jugal based on the iconic Romeo and Juliet was a part of the first lineup of shows by the platform. The show was a run-of-a-mill romantic drama that became a hit amongst Indian users as it wasn’t preachy and well made. Rajeev Siddhartha and Manraj Singh romancing each other on-screen in a completely filmy style is something ALTBalaji made cool for the first time on Indian OTT celluloid least. Along with Rajeev Siddhartha as Romil and Manraj Singh as Jugal, the show starred Mandira Bedi, Hariman Dhanjal, Shrishti Ganguly Rindani, Manini Mishra, and Suchitra Pillai.