Rajkummar Rao’s sister-in-law Parnalekha praises Badhaai Do: Finally, my community has a film

Ever since its release, Badhaai Do has garnered widespread appreciation for LGBTq+ representation in Hindi cinema. Rajkummar Rao’s sister-in-law Parnalekha recently took to Instagram and praised the film as well.

The film follows Shardul Thakur (Rao), a gay man and Suman Singh (Bhumi Pednekar), a lesbian, who decide to enter a marriage of convenience to escape pressure from their overbearing families. 

“Badhaai Do is an intimate revolution that will activate a desire of transformation in the way LGBTQIA+ oriented films are made in India. Finally, my community has a film,” wrote Parnalekha.

She noted that Badhaai Do does not objectify the women in love, nor does it emasculate the men who are attracted to each other. She wrote Badhaai Do is about the “sensitivity in the gaze” with which it depicts the LGBTQ+ persons.

Parnalekha wrote that she could identify with Pednekar's character Suman aka Sumi, and her role has probably inspired many to live "with integrity, honesty and bravery." She also lauded Rao for his "brave choices as an actor."

Here is Parnalekha's post:

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Pednekar said she chose this role because no other similar projects treated queer persons in their stories like Badhaai Do.

Badhaai Do, directed by Harshvardhan Kulkarni, was released in cinemas on February 10. The cast also includes Seema Pahwa, Sheeba Chadha and Chum Darang.

Also read — Badhaai Do review: Rajkummar Rao-Bhumi Pednekar's queer dramedy will have you emotionally invested