Sex sells for Bollywood

FromKatrina shaking her belly to a film with 22 kisses, Bollywood has rediscoveredsex! Ritu V Singh reports
Even those who have notseen Sudhir Mishra’s Yeh Saali Zindagi are aware that it has 22 kisses.Contrary to its title, the Censor Board believed that Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji wasfor adults only. Konkona Sen Sharma-starrer Mirch was touted as India’sfirst erotic film.Love, Sex Aur Dhokha thrived on its bold theme, suggestivedialogues and titillating scenes.
If Shah Rukh Khan and sex soldearlier, the latter seems to have won the round for now! Bollywood filmmakerstake on bold themes and use abusive language liberally in a bid to depict‘reality’ . In a competitive industry where numerous films releaseevery week, item numbers and double-meaning dialogues perhaps help a film attainits USP.
Trade analyst Komal Nahata says, “Sex scenes and itemnumbers draw the audience’s attention . In the case of Yeh Saali Zindagi,the screenplay is complex and the audience didn’t understand the film.However, they laughed at all the abuses. Obviously, this makes a film moresaleable.”
Sanjeev K Bijli of PVR explains, “I don’tthink today’s youngsters would prefer watching a kissing scene shadowed bya bunch of flowers. A good item number, certain dialogues or scenes that grabeyeballs work in favour of a film. You can build your promotional campaignaround it. Munni badnaam hui did wonders for Dabangg. Though Tees Maar Khanbombed at the box-office , Sheila ki jawaani was a hit.”
Noprizes for guessing that actors don’t mind raising their hemlines orgetting cozy onscreen. After Malaika Arora Khan and Katrina Kaif, now it’sDeepika Padukone’s Dum Maro Dum that people are looking forward to fortitillation.
Actor Emraan Hashmi, better known as the serial kisserof Bollywood, will be seen next in Murder 2, which revolves around the darkworld of prostitutes, cross-dressers and pimps. A lot of steamy action isguaranteed. Emraan reveals, “The movie has sensuality, but also a strongstory to back it up.”
Jacqueline Fernandez, who plays a pin-upgirl in the same film, said in an interview, “I have no issues in sheddingclothes, if the role demands. Why am I an actor if I can’t give my best toa role?”
Actor Arunoday Singh is suddenly all over the placethanks to the success of Yeh Saali Zindagi. He even invited trouble after hekissed a girl at a promotional event. When asked how important it was to abuseand kiss his heroine in the film, Arunoday said, “It’s a big part ofthe character I play. My female fan following has increased. In Hollywood, itdoesn’t matter how many times an actor has kissed onscreen. Why havedifferent standards for Bollywood ? And, if it helps my film sell better , whywould I have a problem?”
Filmmakers claim their films aregetting bolder as a reflection of society. They want their films to be morereal. In Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Shruti Hasaan boldly confesses watching pornfilms. Shazahn Padamsee, who plays Ajay Devgn’s subordinate at work in thesame film, asks him when he lost his virginity.
Director MadhurBhandarkar explains, “Shazahn’s character is that of any teenagerwho’s cool with issues like virginity and sex. Take a look at howyoungsters talk and behave on reality shows. Why does the Censor Board havedifferent norms for reality shows and films? My film would have done betterbusiness if it was given a U/A certificate . These days, we have a smartmultiplex audience that wants to see a movie they can identify with.”
Director Sudhir Mishra was miffed with the Censor Board when he wasasked to drop the word ‘saali’ from the title, as he thinks itdoesn’t really count as an abuse.
Censor Board member NandiniSardesai explains, “Attitudes have changed. As a lecturer, I’vewitnessed youngsters who are open about their relationships. In films, it may goa little overboard, just to add drama. Otherwise , sex is not something alien tothem. If the theme of the film is bold, we allow the film without cuts, but withan ‘A’ certificate.”
Films are no longer made fora common audience. Bijli says, “Not all films are targeted at families. Infact, in many families, kids and parents go separately for the same film. Eventhe censors are becoming liberal. These films are made on a small budget and aretargeted to a certain section. No One Killed Jessica was made on a budget of Rs11-12 crore, Love, Sex Aur Dhokha had a budget of only Rs 2 crore.”
Rachika Shrivastava, a 19-year-old college student says, “Ican’t go for just any movie with my family. I generally read the reviewsor ask my friends if it’s meant for family viewing. My family is notconservative, but we still changed the channel when Veena and Asmit made out onBigg Boss. My mother laughed at the title Kaminey, but I couldn’t tell herthat I saw a film titled Love, Sex Aur Dhokha.”
Sometime ago,Salman Khan confessed he can’t kiss on screen as he wouldn’t be ableto face his father later. Not too many current actors or filmmakers would agreewith him now.
As long as sex sells, there will be takers!
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