Prime Video docuseries Rainbow Rishta, which has been nominated in the Outstanding Documentary category at the GLAAD Media Awards, is the first Indian unscripted series exploring queer love to be recognised at this globally acclaimed event. The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies are scheduled for March 14, 2024, in Los Angeles and May 11, 2024, in New York City.
Directed by Jaydeep Sarkar, along with story-directors Hridaye A. Nagpal and Shubhra Chatterji, Rainbow Rishta, which debuted on Prime Video in November 2023, deals with the theme of finding, accepting and celebrating all forms of love against the complex backdrop of modern dating.
The docuseries captures six real-life love stories, offering a heartfelt portrayal of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ community members in India. Consisting of approximately 35-minute episodes, the series introduces viewers to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique struggles and triumphs.
Ayushmaan, a human rights lawyer in Delhi, negotiates the challenges of coming out while moonlighting as the confident drag queen, Lush Monsoon. Aneez and Sanam, a lesbian couple in Guwahati, struggle to find an apartment for themselves fighting social prejudices. Sadam, based in Imphal, channels his pain into community service by organising a football tournament for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Trinetra, a doctor and the breakout actress of Made in Heaven, shares her struggles with dating and her tumultuous relationship with her parents, highlighting the complexities of being a trans person. Daniella, an intersex person, adds a moving dimension to the series as she prepares for her dream wedding with her partner, Joel.
A look into the six-and-a-half-year relationship of Soham and Suresh presents the challenges same-sex couples face, including the unique perspective of partners who are supportive and non-judgmental.
Rainbow Rishta delves into various aspects of queer life, encompassing personal struggles, relationships, and the universal desire for a safe and accepting space. The series manages to strike a balance between the poignant and the heartwarming, as it presents both the shiny, beautiful aspects of its subjects and the impact of their experiences — from bullying and pain to mental health issues and self-discovery.
The series also takes into account the experiences of parents and records their responses to their children’s identities. It exposes the discrimination that happens at various levels and through various people, from bewildered shopkeepers to disapproving onlookers, while acknowledging the progress that has been made.
The unscripted nature of Rainbow Rishta lends it a fluidity. It breaks away from the stereotype of portraying the rainbow community’s lives solely through a bleak lens and instead offers a nuanced perspective.