TOI : No sex please, we're Indians!

No sex please, we're Indians!

Sex, sleaze and soaps in India can be a lethal combo. At least that's how it appeared when Ram Kapoor and Saakshi Tanwar got under the sheets and locked lips in what is being touted as the 'steamiest' love scene filmed on prime time.

Within minutes of the actual airtime of the much anticipated consummation sequence in Bade Achche Lagte Hain, the episode went viral on YouTube and has already clocked in close to 150,630 hits and counting. The 'love scene' is trending as a topic in top social networking/microblogging sites, with viewers making fun of the 'action-packed' episode, and even actor Ram Kapoor sounded overwhelmed when he posted online: @ramkapoor1973: "What a response to yesterday's episode. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you (sic)."

For audiences who are fed on the daily staple of prime time soaps, love scenes usually never venture beyond anything more passionate than a long eyelock (without blinking) between the romantic leads, the nubile leading lady landing in the hero's strong arms, or a flying dupatta that always lands on the hero's face (think, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, Punar Vivah, , a marital consummation scene is the stuff that fantasies are probably made of.

Newly married couples on soaps are never allowed to take their relationship to the next level even after the elaborate wedding ceremony gets over, because the build up stokes curiosity in the audience. For example, Saath Nibhana Saathiya's honeymoon special track aired recently whipped up a TVR of 5 (its highest since its launch date) and Manav-Archana's consummation scene (which took place two years after the show went on air) was a high point of the show (literally), got a 5.5 TVR.

The last time a TV couple even dared to smooch were Raqesh Vashisht and Riddhi Dogra in Maryada, Lekin Kab Tak? in 2010. Other TV leads only have to be content with a tame forehead kiss or a peck on the cheeks.

In a country where TV is four decades old, where 130 million homes have TV sets, (of which 76 million have access to TV), and an industry that's poised to grow by 11.4% (2009-13), surely a little bit of kiss and tell would be the way forward? For everyone else, there's also that handy weapon called a remote that can be put to better use, should it offend sensibilities.

Interesting Article ...

I think people are getting the wrong idea here that sex and kissing should be required between married couples onscreen. Well yeah, they happen in real life, but why should they be required onscreen when the story does not even require it.😕 I think REAL talent comes in sizzling the scene without any intimate scenes, and not all actors are blessed with that talent. Gurmeet is one of the few that is. He does not need to do lip locks or sex scenes to set the screen on fire with his co-star, and this has been seen through his holi dance with Kratika and many other scenes with Drashti Dhami in Geet. Other shows also, like IPKKND, have sizzling hot scenes without being indecent, and I think Indian television should stay that way.

Who wrote this article? He/she seems very biased!

Well in my opinion sex or no sex it really doesn't matter we are double standard society justfy what ever sells. The way camera focuses id enough to show all nudity whether its films or tv

I guess I have a gutter-mind lol Because I'm open to it. Just because in shows like IPKKND and Geet (Kahin To Hoga wasn't bad either), there's sooo much build and then, nothing.

Geet, for all of its passionate nature (it even gave its female lead a libido :D loved that btw!), didn't even get a consummation until months after the leads married. And they were in love when they married :D

The kisses (and other 'sexual' scenes) don't even have to be real. Fake-kissing is fine. But there should definitely be more in the 'sexual/sensual' area. Because refusing to acknowledge it in a youthful, passionate relationship, sometimes makes the shows seem regressive. Not to mention it becomes instantly like all those other crap saas-bahu shows (like YRKKH).

To each their own I guess. Don't think PV is going to do it anytime soon though. But who knows? This show is more-forward thinking than any I've seen so far. The way it, and the characters have been written... Wow. Just love it . Plus, we've already got a shirtless Yash :D So maybe they will acknowledge the 'physical intimacy' hurdle instead of just glazing over it, as if it doesn't exist.

Thanks for the article I have read this before I think...My thoughts are the same it should not look forced to gain TRPs thats it

i don't care , i never watch that kind show

I don't have any problem with more explicit love scenes on TV but I really hope that Indian writers and directors don't lose that art of suggestion that we have so perfected on camera, over the last century. Making hearts race without being explicit, and with a look or the slightest of touches, just by playing on the sexual tension and possibility is something unique to Indian shows and movies. Bollywood has all but lost this skill with films trying to be more "real" but TV shows still have that feature.

When it comes to explicit sex scenes, it is not the question of right or wrong because there are merits either way. But to me it is a question of losing a special skill that is part of our dramatic culture if we decisively assume, without considering the implications (as the writer of this article has) that being explicit is a step forward rather than just a different way of doing things.