Those few hours when she returned from school to an empty house, were like Nirvana. She would deck up in her mother’s cosmetics and pose before the mirror, until the day her brother saw her.

They went through so much to stay together in a world that accepted only one version of romantic love - that of a man and a woman. But finally, destiny had other plans.

As I watched War, I couldn’t help thinking how cool it would be if Kabir and Khalid (Hrithik and Tiger’s characters in War, respectively) were a romantic couple. It would have been the perfect way to mainstream LGBTQIA+ representation in Bollywood.

I was furious, mostly with my grandfather, who made sure that my mother married the man who “seduced” her. Indian custom wouldn’t have it any other way. Consent was not a factor.

There is still little awareness of queer culture in India, so it isn't surprising that we have no idea of the many 'happily married' Indian wives who identify as queer, but have no option.