FROM CLOSET TO STREAM: THE POLITICS OF QUEER REPRESENTATION IN POST-SECTION 377 INDIAN WEB SERIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhshreejan.v2.i2.2025.20Keywords:
Queer, Representation, Indian Web Series, Post-Section 377Abstract [English]
The decriminalization of homosexuality in India in 2018 marked a significant turning point in the legal recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. Since then, digital streaming platforms have become important spaces for the articulation of queer identities. This paper examines how queer representation in Indian web series has evolved in the post-Section 377 era. Using qualitative textual and discourse analysis, the study investigates five web series—Made in Heaven, His Storyy, Romil & Jugal, and Four More Shots Please! The analysis explores how these series portray queer characters, the role of intersectionality, and the implications of digital media as a site for both visibility and commodification. The findings reveal a complex landscape: while these platforms increase queer visibility and diversity, they also present tensions between authenticity and market-driven narratives. This research contributes to broader discussions about queer media, representation, and digital cultures in contemporary India.
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