Creating community through an LGBTQIA+ affirming Bollywood dance space

Vinay is the founder of Bollyqueer, a vibrant Bollywood dance space that celebrates and empowers the LGBTQIA+ community. A queer, gender-non-conforming person from Leicester, Vinay is now based in London, where they continue to build inclusive spaces through the power of dance and culture.

A lifelong love of Bollywood

‘Growing up in a traditional South Asian household, I never felt like I could truly be myself. Queerness was never acknowledged. Straightness was assumed, and everything I did, the way I dressed, the way I move, was shaped by the need to fit into an expectation of what a “good son” should be. My escape from this was Bollywood. I was glued to the TV, learning every Bollywood heroine’s choreography by heart. It was my way of exploring my femininity, and also of learning about my South Asian culture.’ 

 ‘As I started taking Bollywood dance classes more formally, I noticed something frustrating: gender roles were very strongly enforced. Boys entered from one side of the stage, girls from the other. “Powerful” moves for the boys, “graceful” or sexualised moves for the girls. These are harmful stereotypes, and those living beyond that binary are completely ignored.’ 

Introducing Bollyqueer

‘So in my third year of studying at King’s, I decided to try something different. I started Bollyqueer – a small monthly class at first. A space where we could dance how we wanted, without having to perform a gender we didn’t relate to. A few people came along. Then a few more. Then one day, while revising for a maths exam in the library, I got a message on Instagram from a film production company. They wanted to pitch a film featuring Bollyqueer. I genuinely thought it was fake news, but I said yes anyway (for the plot).’  

‘That documentary eventually became Bend It Like Bollywood, a 45-minute BBC Three film about my journey with Bollyqueer and the community around it. This visibility was life-changing for me.’  

‘Now, Bollyqueer is my full-time work. We’ve held classes in London, Los Angeles, Delhi, Amsterdam; it’s been surreal. We've also developed a team of professional, all LGBTQIA+ People of Colour performers. Our workshops aren’t just about dancing. For so many, it’s about reconnecting with a culture they were once pushed away from. I’ve had people come up to me after class saying it felt like coming home. That’s when I knew this was bigger than just a dance class. It’s about being visible and finding community.’ 

Words of wisdom

‘For anyone considering a path like this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. I definitely didn’t (and still don’t!). I just knew what felt right, followed it, and let it grow. If you feel like you're lacking community, chances are other people are feeling the same. See if you can host a small event, spread the word, and run with it. The world needs more intersectional spaces.’ 

For the future

‘I hope that Bollyqueer will continue to grow. We’re teaching in new cities, performing on different stages, and continuing to show that South Asian culture and queerness can exist together, beautifully. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice any part of your identity to feel included in a space!’