‘Badnaam Basti’, India’s first queer film to screen at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

This August, a piece of Indian cinema history will shine once again, but this time on an international stage. ‘Badnaam Basti’, considered India’s first queer-themed film, is going to open the Pride Celebratory Night at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on August 22.

The festival organisers shared the news on Tuesday, saying that the event will be a heartfelt tribute to queer cinema and South Asian LGBTQ+ identity, especially for the diaspora living in Australia.

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Directed by Prem Kapoor, ‘Badnaam Basti’ first released in 1971, long before queer stories found mainstream acceptance. The film tells the gentle and understated story of a bus driver and a cleaner.

It quietly explores themes of connection, friendship, and identity, making it a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian cinema.

 

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Though it was subtle for its time, the film challenged stereotypes and opened doors for conversations that were almost unheard of in the early ’70s.

Along with ‘Badnaam Basti’, IFFM will also screen ‘We Are Faheem & Karun’, a new film directed by Onir, who is known for championing queer stories in Indian cinema.

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According to the organisers, this film is a soft, emotional tale of love, friendship, and finding one’s place in the world.

Mitu Bhowmick, the director of IFFM, said that the festival has always believed in cinema’s power to create change and bring people together.

“At IFFM, we believe it is our responsibility to showcase the world in all its diversity. Pride Night will not only celebrate queer stories but also reclaim the space that was long denied to LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema,” she said.

Bhowmick added that by showing films like ‘Badnaam Basti’ and ‘We Are Faheem & Karun’, the festival aims to honour the past while also embracing a future where everyone’s stories get acceptance.

IFFM 2025 marks the 16th year of the festival, which has support from the Government of Victoria in Australia. It has become the largest Indian film festival held outside of India.

This year, the festival will screen about 75 films covering themes like gender, sexuality, race, disability, and women’s representation.