Badhaai Do

The events take place in contemporary India, reflecting current attitudes toward sexuality and family structures. The film follows modern urban life with Pride events and adoption as central plot points, emphasizing ongoing social change rather than historical context.

The story unfolds in Dehradun, a northern Indian city anchored by a women’s police precinct where Shardul works. Wynberg Allen School is shown as Sumi’s workplace, highlighting social expectations around women and marriage. The couple’s life at the police quarters and family Diwali gatherings frame a progression toward a nontraditional family formed through adoption.

🌈 Identity

The core tension centers on concealed sexual orientation and the performative roles people adopt to satisfy family and society. Sumi’s lesbian identity and Shardul’s later coming out challenge rigid norms and force characters to confront who they are. The story uses moments of secrecy and revelation to explore self-acceptance and honesty in relationships.

👪 Family

Family expectations drive the plot, with both sets of parents pushing traditional arrangements. The couple navigates arranged marriage, infertility concerns, and the option of adoption to form a family that defies convention. The film examines solidarity and the resilience of chosen families.

🤝 Acceptance

Acceptance is tested and transformed as characters acknowledge their true identities. The revelation scene within the family dynamics and the Pride moment reveal a gradual shift toward openness. The final adoption ritual symbolically celebrates inclusion and mutual support among all partners.