TV gets hotter!

TV gets hotter!

Nuzhat Aziz

If Bollywood dares to bare, can the small screen be far behind? Intimacy is no more defined subtly on television, with passion and romance dominating most tracks.
Says actor Iqbal Khan, "Everything grows and changes with time and television is doing just that. You may not see a 'Julie' or 'Murder' happen on the small screen, but romance is definitely there." But Khan himself isn't comfortable doing bold scenes. "I personally feel romance is more to do with holding hands than being in bed together. If the script demands, I would prefer a peck on the cheek than a kiss on the lips."
The fiery chemistry between Sangita Ghosh and Varun Badola in Aroona Iraani's 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove' (Zee) set new precedents for passion on Indian television. Says actor/producer Aroona Iraani, "Television has always been bold. Remember 'Sailaab'? Women were shown having extra-marital affairs in it."
Sangita Ghosh, who has recently done some steamy scenes with Rohit Roy in 'Viraasat', says, "It was a part of the script. I don't think anyone will do it just to increase the TRPs. It's not our intention to make the audience uncomfortable."
Balaji shows like 'Kahiin To Hoga' and 'Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai' also have intimate scenes with their lead characters. Nivedita Basu, the deputy creative director of Balaji says, "Television has gone a step forward and is now on par with films. So there's no reason why we can't get bold, if the script demands it."
Producer Kinnari Mehta adds, "We are at an advantage because we don't have censors. But it doesn't mean we cross limits of decency."
Mehta's 'Sinndoor' on Zee TV has shown some really bold scenes between Kirti Gaekwad (Niharika) and Anand Suryavansham (Rahul). "The scenes were quite elaborate —Anand had to take off every piece of jewellery from her body and then remove her pallu. But it was aesthetically shot," says Mehta.
Talking about whether the audience is ready to accept such boldness on TV, Mehta reasons, "But all English channels show films that have bold scenes. So why can't we show them on TV?"