‘Accused’ Movie Release: Konkona Sen Sharma Slams ‘Derogatory’ Gay Characters in Bollywood Films Ahead of Her Netflix Film (Watch Video)
Konkona Sen Sharma has criticised Bollywood’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, noting they often appear only as "issues" or for "derogatory humour." Speaking ahead of her Netflix film 'Accused', the actress emphasised the need for diverse characters to be portrayed naturally, moving beyond the industry's traditional "straight, male" default narrative.
Acclaimed actress Konkona Sen Sharma has spoken out against the historical representation of homosexual characters in Bollywood, arguing that Indian cinema often fails to depict queer individuals unless their identity is the central "issue" of the plot. Her comments come as she prepares for the release of the Netflix original film Accused. In the upcoming legal drama, Sharma portrays Geetika, a London-based doctor. The narrative follows her character’s professional and personal unraveling after she is accused of sexual misconduct at her workplace, putting a significant strain on her marriage to her wife, Meera, played by Pratibha Ranta. ‘Accused’ Trailer: Konkona Sen Sharma and Pratibha Ranta Star As Married Couple in New Netflix Thriller (Watch Video).
Konkona Sen Sharma on Gay Characters in Bollywood - Watch Video:
'Accused': Challenging the 'Default' Narrative
Speaking during a recent promotional interaction with Just Too Filmy as part of Fever FM, Konkona Sen Sharma highlighted a lack of diversity in mainstream storytelling. She noted that for decades, homosexual characters were either used for "derogatory humour" or were only introduced to serve a specific social message rather than being integrated naturally into various genres.
The actress suggested that the industry frequently relies on a "straight, male, Hindi-speaking" default. She compared the treatment of LGBTQ+ characters to that of differently-abled people, noting that such individuals are rarely portrayed on screen unless the story specifically revolves around their disability or struggle.
'Accused': Shift in Storytelling Approach
Accused aims to diverge from these tropes by focusing on a complex legal and ethical conflict involving a queer couple, rather than focusing solely on their sexuality. The trailer, released earlier this month, depicts the intense public scrutiny Geetika faces as her career and marriage fracture under the weight of the allegations. The film's logline describes a "celebrated queer doctor" whose life is disrupted by suspicion. The story follows the emotional journey of her spouse, who must decide whether to support her partner or distance herself as the truth becomes increasingly blurred amidst the controversy.
Queer Representation in Bollywood
This critique follows a growing conversation within the Indian entertainment industry regarding authentic queer representation While recent years have seen a rise in queer narratives, Sharma’s observations reflect a demand for more nuanced roles where a character's sexual orientation is just one facet of their identity. Konkona Sen Sharma, Pratibha Rannta Lead Anubhuti Kashyap's Film 'Accused'.
The project marks another significant collaboration for Sharma with digital platforms, which have increasingly become a space for unconventional storytelling. By placing a lesbian relationship at the heart of a high-stakes professional scandal, the film seeks to broaden the scope of how diverse lives are depicted.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 27, 2026 06:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).