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The Dirty picture

ALChougule

Posted: Dec 02, 2011 at 1715 hrs IST

Unlike films that thrive on sex without beating around the bush, in serials sex and sensuality are used subtly to sell stories within the legitimacy of sindoor

What we have on TV is not sex as we perceive it in today's context but sensuality and titillation. If sex is used, it is done as a pretext to present a certain character in bad light - Sanjay Upadhyay, ex-Sony fiction head

Did you say "No sex please, we are Indians?" Or did you mean no sex please on Indian TV because it is a family viewing medium? If you thought television offers only clean and sanitised entertainment, then think again. If sex sells in films, it is also used in selling long-running daily soaps. The major difference is that while sex is used overtly in films and the 'the dirty picture' is sold brazenly on the big screen with full blown images of female anatomy and hot male-female chemistry, in serials it is done subtly in the guise and within the legitimacy of sindoor. Every serial explores man-woman relationship, starting with brief courtship or marriage proposal. The real drama kicks off with marriage and sex and sensuality is finely sprinkled through the length and breadth of the story with wooing, romance, sensuous moments, titillation, seduction and drama built around consummation.

In every serial the physical aspect of relationship drives the story. However, while by default or design, in most shows it is cleverly overshadowed by drama of relationship politics, it stands out in a few. Be it the passionate love story Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand where Sangeeta Ghosh displayed her love and longing with heavy breathing, Uttaran, which alternates between love and lust, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai where Naitik trails Akshara like her shadow or Kuch To Log Kahenge which operates on physical attraction between a young and old doctor, physicality is the key undercurrent. Even in the mature love story Bade Achhe Lagte Hain the physical aspect is a key driver as over the last three months the story is woven around consummation of marriage.

No matter what the premise is, in every serial good looks play an important part, followed by the protagonist's chemistry with the hero. In most serials extramarital relationship is a must as the 'other' woman track delivers high TRPs. While the protagonist flaunts her sexuality in saree, the vamp fills the vacuum with her backless blouse and flirtatious behavior. Curiously enough, while the attempt is to sell the 'clean and clear' protagonist's story, it is sold using the antagonist's bold and undesirable behavior. Besides, elaborate mehndi and wedding ceremonies are occasions for skin show and titillation with erotic 'item' songs by TV's hot babes.

Whether one admits it or not, if sindoor is supreme on GECs, sex is its natural companion. "Who says sex doesn't sell on TV?" asks ex-TV programmer-turned-film and TV producer Saurabh Tewari. "Everyone sells it but no one admits. The idea is to sell it without making viewer realise that she is consuming it." In Saurabh's opinion, the physical aspect plays a vital role. He elaborates, "The female protagonist has to be young and beautiful because 40 per cent of the audience is male. The hero has to look handsome because 60 per cent of viewers are females. Their chemistry has to be hot otherwise cold vibes will cool ratings. That's precisely why when their chemistry doesn't work the hero or heroine is replaced. Marriage, romance, honeymoon and sensuous moments drive ratings. Pregnancy and miscarriage are other major high points. In short, the whole drama is woven around the male-female making it out."

However, senior TV director and ex-Sony fiction head Sanjay Upadhyay has a different view. In his opinion, there is difference between sex and sensuality. "What we have on TV is not sex as we perceive it in today's context but sensuality and titillation. If sex is used, it is done as a pretext to present a certain character in bad light," he defends. In the battle of sindoor

versus sex, according to Sanjay, sindoor dominates. "Nothing can beat the sindoor because no matter which the value system, the core aspiration for everyone is to have a happy marriage and home," says Sanjay. But he doesn't deny that sex plays an eye-candy role. "Characters have to look good because it helps viewers identify with their wife/husband/lover. But sensuous moments and titillation are used in passing phases," he adds.

Producer Pintoo Guha of Uttaran agrees with Sanjay's view. He elaborates, "Television entertainment thrives on family drama inspired by Hindi cinema of the '70s when rape was mandatory for dramatic conflict. But on TV, family politics is used as a tool to tell a story of man-woman relationship. Serials depict everyday life and marriage and sex are an integral part of it. But since TV is a family medium the physical aspect is shown only at a surface level," he explains. The dirty picture, in his view, is left to viewer's imagination.

Take the case of Bigg Boss and its latest housemate Sunny Leone who has been brought on to the show to heat up things and cool down tempers. One has to wait and watch how housemates react when her true identity is revealed and how viewers use their remote. Last year, busty Pamela Anderson's three-day stay in Bigg Boss had come as a big boost for the show's ratings. No one denies the overt use of sex in selling reality shows, but in fiction while sindoor is the protagonist, sex plays the parallel lead.

LINK The Dirty Picture

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