Priya Bapat and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan to play lovers in an international film

Renowned Marathi film actress Priya Bapat will team up with Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, known for her powerful performances in Anubhav Sinha’s much-acclaimed social drama

Thappad

and Ivan Ayr’s Soni, for Aditya Kripalani’s English language film, Father Like. The two will be seen playing a same-sex couple in a long distance relationship in the film, which is essentially about finding your roots and a sense of belonging.

Speaking of the portrayal of same-sex relationships in Indian cinema, Geetika said, “I have rarely seen a humane portrayal of the (LGBTQIA) community in our films, unless it is a beautiful film like Aligarh that takes upon itself to dissect the societal prejudices. Sadly, it is rare to find a sensible depiction of a member of

LGBTQIA

when they aren’t the protagonists. What I find beautiful about Father Like is that it normalises homosexual relationships in a gentle and intelligent manner.”

Priya, who plays Sarah in the film, explained, “I think the depiction of same-sex relationships in cinema is improving. People are now open to understanding and embracing the natural orientation of an individual. It is an important change. In this film, too, the relationship they share is like any other long-distance relationship. Their sexual orientation is just a part of their life. What matters is the bonding and understanding they have.”

Director Aditya Kriplani added, “The love track is just a part of the narrative. Sarah (Bapat), the protagonist in the film, happens to be gay and in love with another woman, it could have been another man or a transgender woman. I find that there is nothing different, it is like any other relationship where two people are in love, feel strongly for each other and are trying to make things work.”