Valentine’s Day: Chitrangada to Family Album – same-sex love stories to binge on this day

Love has its universal appeal. On this Valentine’s Day, let’s look beyond the heteronormativity and cozy up for some heartwarming same-sex love stories. The Bengali film industry is one of the early entertainment industries that showcased same-sex love realistically sans the stereotypes. National Award-winning filmmaker Kaushik Ganguly’s telefilm Ushnotar Jonno is one of the early portrayals of love that is beyond heteronormativity. Later, Rituparno Ghosh singlehandedly presented heartwrenching love stories, either as a director or as an actor.    

Who doesn’t like a hearty love story, especially during Valentine’s Day? Here is a lowdown of heart-warming same-sex love stories to melt your heart. Read on… 

Nagarkirtan

Streams on Amazon Prime

Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, the film captures the riveting journey of a transperson Parimal (Riddhi Sen), and Madhu (Ritwick Chakraborty). Riddhi bagged a National Award for his stupendous performance in the film.  

Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish

Streams on Hoichoi and Amazon Prime

Rituparno Ghosh’s journey as a filmmaker flourished with his immortal portrayals of same-sex love. In the film, Rudra (Rituparno) and Partho (Jisshu U Sengupta) develop chemistry while the former prepares to stage Tagore’s Chitrangada. The journey of these two are beautifully captured in the film. Along with Chitrangada, one may also explore Memories in March and Arekti Premer Golpo.

Finally Bhalobasha

Streams on Hoichoi

It is an anthology directed by Anjan Dutt who explores the relationship between an HIV-positive patient and his male nurse. Anirban Bhattacharya and Suprabhat Das play these two characters in this heartbreaking love story. 

Family Album

Streams on Hoichoi

Directed by Mainak Bhaumik, the film explores a sizzling chemistry between Paoli and Swastika Mukherjee. Billed as a family drama, the film is smart and entertaining.