MELBOURNE, July 28, 2025 — In a landmark moment for Indian cinema, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has announced the screening of the restored version of India’s first LGBTQ-themed film, Badnaam Basti, as part of its Pride Celebratory Night on August 22.
Directed by Prem Kapoor, Badnaam Basti originally released in 1971, and is considered the first Hindi film to subtly explore homoerotic undertones. The story follows a bandit named Sarnam, who rescues a young man, Bansuri, from assault. The two are later joined by Shivraj, a temple worker, forming a triangle of companionship and unspoken desire.
A Rediscovery Against the Odds
The film, long presumed lost, resurfaced in 2019 when American curators Simran Bhalla and Michael Metzger stumbled upon a 35mm print in the archives of the Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art in Berlin. According to The Guardian, the discovery happened accidentally during a search for another director named Kapoor.
The restoration and subsequent screening of Badnaam Basti at IFFM mark a crucial step in reclaiming LGBTQIA+ representation in Indian cinematic history.
Celebrating Queer Indian Storytelling
The 16th edition of the IFFM, running from August 14 to 24, will showcase 75 films exploring themes of gender, race, disability, sexuality, and women’s representation. The Pride Night on August 22 will feature Badnaam Basti followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun, a tender queer love story by acclaimed filmmaker Onir.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange highlighted the festival’s commitment to representation, stating:
“Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming the space long denied to LGBTQIA narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti, we honor the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling.”
A Film Ahead of Its Time
Upon its release, Badnaam Basti received little commercial attention, and its queer themes were often ignored or glossed over by mainstream critics. Today, its re-emergence has sparked a fresh academic and cultural evaluation of India’s cinematic treatment of gender and sexuality.
The screening is expected to draw both cinephiles and LGBTQ activists, providing a rare opportunity to experience a once-suppressed voice in Indian film on an international stage.
