As a member of the South Asian diaspora, I often find myself frustrated by the stories I see on screen. Whether it's inBollywood films or diaspora-centric shows, there's a persistent set of harmful narratives that keep being celebrated. These stories,rooted in casteism, classism, ableism, queerphobia, and colonial legacies, do not reflect the diversity, complexity, or struggles ofthe full spectrum of South Asian identity. Instead, they reinforce exclusion, uphold privilege, and sideline marginalized voices.
But the media we consume has the power to shape the world we live in. So, rather than continue being frustrated, I want to dream alittle. I want to imagine the movies that could exist—movies that would celebrate the richness of the South Asian diasporawhile dismantling the harmful ideals that have long dominated our screens. These are the movies I want to see.
1. A Caste-Resistant Love Story
In mainstream South Asian cinema, caste is either ignored or subtlyreinforced. The upper-caste hero and heroine fall in love and, even if they face some familial disapproval, it’s never aboutcaste. It’s time we start telling love stories that challenge this silence.
The Movie I Want to See: Alove story between two Dalit protagonists, exploring the beauty of their love in a world that constantly devalues them. But thismovie wouldn’t be about their suffering or victimhood—it would be about their joy, their resistance, and their shareddefiance of a society that tries to define their worth by their caste. I want to see a movie where caste-oppressed characters get thescreen time to fall in love, fight for their dreams, and win, without being boxed into stereotypes.
What It Could LookLike: Think Geeli Pucchi (from Ajeeb Daastaans) but as a full-length feature, where the Dalit protagonistisn’t stuck in unrequited longing. Instead, she finds her match, and together they challenge the caste system by building alife on their own terms—showing the beauty and strength of Dalit love and community. It’s a story that doesn’t needan upper-caste character to validate their experiences.
2. A Queer South Asian Road Movie
Queer representation in South Asian media is often either non-existent or fraught with conflict. When queer characters areincluded, their stories revolve around hiding their identities or being ostracized from their families. Rarely do we get to see queerSouth Asians living authentically and freely—especially beyond the traditional narratives of family acceptance.
The Movie I Want to See: A queer South Asian road trip movie where a group of queer, gender-fluid friends set off ona journey of self-discovery, not to escape their queerness but to embrace it. Along the way, they encounter other queer SouthAsians—artists, activists, lovers—who have carved out spaces of freedom and joy within the diaspora.
WhatIt Could Look Like: We Are Lady Parts is getting closer than anyone's gotten before. A mix of the humor and rawemotion you’d find in The Half of It meets the cultural specificity of Made in Heaven. But this time, thequeer South Asian characters are fully themselves, with no need for validation from the heteronormative world. They celebrate queerlove, friendship, and community in ways that are unapologetically bold. The journey isn’t about explaining queerness to the
world, but about reveling in it with those who understand.
3. A Neurodiverse Family Drama
In South Asian films, disability is often used as a prop to evoke sympathy, with characters overcoming their disabilities to beaccepted by society. We rarely see characters who are neurodiverse or disabled being celebrated for their differences or treated asfully realized people with complex lives and relationships.
The Movie I Want to See: A multi-generationalfamily drama that centers around a neurodiverse South Asian woman as she navigates family expectations, cultural norms, and her ownsense of identity. Her neurodiversity isn’t something to "overcome"; it’s simply a part of who she is. And her journeyisn’t one of assimilation but of carving out a space in her family and community that honors her full self.
WhatIt Could Look Like: Imagine the emotional depth of The Farewell, but with a South Asian twist that weaves togetherfamily tensions, cultural expectations, and neurodiversity. This film would celebrate neurodiverse individuals not as obstacles to befixed but as contributors to the richness of family life. It’s time we see a South Asian protagonist who doesn’t have tochange who she is to fit into the world.
4. A Decolonial Period Drama
Historical filmsin South Asian cinema tend to focus on glorifying royal figures and colonial narratives. These films rarely address the trauma ofcolonialism or the ways in which marginalized communities fought against both colonial and upper-caste oppression. I want to seestories that reframe history from the perspective of the oppressed.
The Movie I Want to See: A decolonialperiod drama that tells the story of an anti-colonial, anti-caste resistance movement in rural India during British rule. Theprotagonists are not kings or queens but ordinary villagers, activists, and revolutionaries who resisted colonial powers while alsofighting for caste liberation.
What It Could Look Like: A blend of the visual grandeur of Lagaan withthe political edge of The Battle of Algiers. This film would challenge the myth of colonial "benevolence" and center thestories of marginalized groups that often go untold. It would focus on the strength of community organizing, land rights movements,and caste-based resistance during the struggle for independence—showing that not all heroes wore crowns.
5. A Mental Health Coming-of-Age Film
Mental health remains heavily stigmatized in South Asiancommunities, and the narratives we see in films often reflect this. Characters with mental health struggles are portrayed as needingto "overcome" their issues through resilience, without any discussion of the social, cultural, or familial pressures that maycontribute to their struggles.
The Movie I Want to See: A coming-of-age film about a South Asian teenagerstruggling with anxiety and depression, but with the focus on how her community supports her healing process. Rather than the usualtrope of stoic endurance, this film would explore how family, friends, and community members can actively help one another cope withmental health challenges. Therapy, cultural expectations, and generational trauma would be central themes.
What ItCould Look Like: Think Lady Bird but with a focus on mental health and cultural expectations. The protagonist'sjourney isn't about hiding her struggles or "powering through," but about learning to navigate them with the support of her lovedones. The film would also tackle how mental health is perceived differently across generations in the diaspora, creating an honestdialogue about healing, care, and understanding.
Reimagining the South Asian Narrative
The movies I wantto see are not just about representation for representation's sake. They are about shifting the narratives that have long dominatedSouth Asian media—narratives that have erased, excluded, or marginalized the experiences of queer, disabled, caste-oppressed,and working-class people. These films would celebrate our diversity, honor our struggles, and reflect the full richness of what itmeans to be South Asian today.
By imagining and advocating for these counter-narratives, we can push for a future where SouthAsian media is as complex, inclusive, and dynamic as the diaspora itself. These are the movies I want to see—stories that makeroom for everyone.