How This Marathi Film Sabar Bonda Challenges Stereotypes About Queer Rural Life

The Broader Context

In 2023, during the Supreme Court case Supriyo v. Union of India—which sought legal recognition for queer marriages—the Union government, led by the BJP, argued that queerness was an “urban elite” phenomenon. The court decisively rejected this claim, affirming that queer identities and experiences are not confined to cities or privileged classes. Former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, in his minority opinion, highlighted India’s rich history of LGBTQ lives across regions and communities, emphasizing that queerness is neither solely urban nor elitist.Though the court did not grant full marriage rights to same-sex couples, it acknowledged the authenticity of queer lives and called for exploring legal frameworks to recognize such relationships. The verdict also clarified that marriage rights fall under legislative jurisdiction, not the judiciary. Despite limited legal progress since, there is growing recognition of queer couples’ realities on the ground.

Sabar Bonda: A Fresh, Bold Narrative

Amidst Hindi films often bound by heteronormative tropes, Sabar Bonda emerges as a refreshing voice. Unlike earlier queer films—which are rare and mostly urban-focused—this Marathi film boldly asks: What does it mean to be queer in rural India today? How do queer couples survive without social, legal, or religious support?Directed by Rohan, a queer filmmaker from a working-class Mumbai background, the film is deeply personal. Raised in a small slum dwelling by his chauffeur father and homemaker mother, Rohan infuses Sabar Bonda with authenticity and lived experience, offering audiences an unprecedented glimpse into queer rural life that mainstream cinema has long overlooked.