Lost for 40 Years, Found for a Movement: Badnaam Basti Headlines Melbourne’s Pride Night

Image Source : Homegrown

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 is set to honor a cinematic milestone with the screening of Badnaam Basti, India’s first LGBTQthemed film, during its LGBTQ+ Pride Night on August 22. Originally released in 1971 and long considered lost, the film has been restored and will be showcased alongside contemporary queer narratives.

Key Highlights:

Directed by Prem Kapoor and based on Kamleshwar’s debut novel, the film explores a complex emotional triangle between Sarnam, Bansuri, and Shivraj.
The film was rediscovered in 2019 by curators Simran Bhalla and Michael Metzger in Berlin’s Arsenal Institute archives.
Badnaam Basti’s homoerotic undertones were groundbreaking for its time, though subtle due to censorship constraints.
The screening will be followed by the Australian premiere of Onir’s We Are Faheem and Karun, a tender queer love story set in Kashmir.

Cultural Significance:

IFFM’s Pride Night aims to reclaim space for LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema, celebrating both legacy and progress.
The festival’s 16th edition will feature over 75 films exploring themes of gender, race, disability, and identity.
Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange emphasized cinema’s role in fostering dialogue and representation across communities.

Legacy and Future:

Badnaam Basti’s return to the screen is more than a tribute—it’s a reminder of the stories that paved the way for inclusive storytelling and the voices still waiting to be heard.

Sources: News18, The Week, MSN India, Outlook India, Telegraph India.