"Being queer is punishable by death in Uganda, hence their review moved me deeply" - Jaydeep Sarkar

Amidst so much conversation about the representation of the queer community in the entertainment industry, arrived a series that was about and centred around the very same people with them starring in and also sharing their stories - Rainbow Rishta.

Director Jaydeep Sarkar, who created and directed the series Rainbow Rishta on Amazon Prime Video, has been receiving a lot of love and appreciation for the same.

In an exclusive conversation with us, we asked him several things, ranging from how the idea of making the show popped up to him to having a personal anecdote with someone from the community who is special to him and how he hopes the show makes as opposed to others.

Q. How did the idea of making Rainbow Rishta pop up to you?

Rainbow Rishta came to me when it had already been pitched by VICE to Prime Video. I came on board and worked on what I thought the show could become. I wanted it to be an exploration of love at various points in people’s lives. Someone looking for love, while a couple in a long term relationship navigating the ups and downs of love. This entire gamut of loving and living in India as a queer person was what I wanted to explore through Rainbow Rishta.

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Q. Share with us a very personal anecdote you experienced while talking or encountering a person from the community that led you to accept them more than you probably did earlier.

I’ve always been drawn by the stories of those on the fringes. I have never been judgemental of people because of their identities. But yes, as I have interacted more with various queer folks, my understanding of their lives, loves, challenges and triumphs has become deeper! But I believe I have a long way to go to understand the wondrous world of queerness.

Q. What is the impact you hope Rainbow Rishta makes as opposed to other shows?

I cannot judge or imagine an impact. What the show is doing is that it’s spreading hope to people from around the world. Recently, I came across a beautiful review of the show from a bunch of gay men in Uganda. And that moved me so deeply because being queer is punishable by death in Uganda. And for Ugandan queer folks to find hope in Rainbow Rishta is something well beyond our expectations! I hope the show takes this joy and jubilation to every person who needs to feel seen, feel understood and feel like they are not alone.

Rainbow Rishta has been streaming on Amazon Prime Video 7th November 2023 onwards.

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