Bhupen Khakhar was born in Bombay. He began his career as an accountant but later turned to art relatively late in his life. He was a member of the Baroda Group and gained international recognition for his work as "India's first 'Pop' artist."

Khakhar’s works are figurative in nature, concerned with the human body and its identity. An openly gay artist, the problem of gender definitions and gender identity are major themes in his work. His paintings also often contain references to Indian mythology and mythological themes.

Khakhar's openly homosexual themes attracted special notice. Homosexuality was something that at the time was rarely addressed in India. The artist explored his own homosexuality in extremely personal ways, touching upon both its cultural implications and its amorous and erotic manifestations. Khakhar painted homosexual love, life, and encounters from a distinctively Indian perspective. Khakhar's art often displays a sense of humor and irony, and he is celebrated for breaking conventions and addressing taboo subjects in his work. His work is appreciated for its boldness, social commentary, and the fusion of traditional and contemporary elements.