Gay stars in bollywood

Playing Kartik, a confident, unapologetic gay man who challenges conservative attitudes, Khurrana’s portrayal was both entertaining and pioneering. He has been open about his sexuality and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Manish Malhotra 

One of the leading fashion designers in India, Manish Malhotra is openly gay and has been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

Apurva Asrani 

A film editor and screenwriter, Apurva Asrani is openly gay and has been a prominent voice in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in India.

Sushant Divgikar

 A former Mr.

Gay India, Sushant Divgikar is a popular singer, actor, and TV personality. 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. 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.

Anshuman Jha – Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele

In Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele, Anshuman Jha plays a gay man embarking on an unexpected road trip with a lesbian woman, exploring themes of friendship, acceptance, and chosen family.

Additionally, you mentioned a list of ten well-known Bollywood gay celebrities, including Karan Johar and VJ Andy, who may or may not be open about their personal lives.

Karan Johar

 Known for his successful career as a director, producer, and TV host, Karan Johar is one of the most prominent gay celebrities in Bollywood.

Bajpayee’s restrained, soulful portrayal captures the pain, dignity, and solitude of a man forced to defend his identity in an unforgiving world. Jha’s understated, sensitive portrayal adds to the emotional core of the film, celebrating queer companionship beyond romantic clichés.

Manoj Bajpayee — Aligarh

Manoj Bajpayee delivers a haunting, deeply affecting performance as Dr.

Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh. Rao’s commitment to portraying queer vulnerability without caricature was widely praised, marking a major milestone in mainstream Bollywood storytelling.

Ayushmann Khurrana – Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Ayushmann Khurrana took a bold leap with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a romantic comedy centred around a gay couple.

In a brief yet impactful role, Devaiah’s charm and sincerity left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of normalized queer representation in Bollywood.

Ayushmann Khurrana – Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Ayushmann Khurrana took a bold leap with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a romantic comedy centered around a gay couple.

He used his stardom to amplify queer narratives, sparking important conversations among Indian audiences.

Gulshan Devaiah – Badhaai Do

Also seen in Badhaai Do, Gulshan Devaiah plays a potential love interest for Rajkummar Rao’s character.

Based on a true story, the film follows a professor who is suspended from Aligarh Muslim University after being outed in a sting operation. She brought raw vulnerability and fierce authenticity to the role, portraying Cuckoo’s relationship with gangster Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) with grace and depth. The court is set to hear closing arguments on April 18, and the decision is expected to have a significant impact on society.

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court of India decides on this matter, given its fundamental importance.