HT[M]-TV girls take it up a notch

Actors on the small screen are nailing a subtle-yet-sexy look for family viewing

Taking inspiration from their Bollywood counterparts, actors on the small screen are veering towards upping the glamour quotient on their TV shows. And while trying to maintain the thin line between being sexy and vulgar, they're managing to achieve a look that's glamorous, yet suitable for family audiences.

Raising the bar

"Till 2006-07, women on TV were dressed conservatively and only the westernised characters looked sexy," says producer Hemal Thakkar. "But nowadays, women are fashion conscious and want to keep up with the times. Fashion sense on TV has surely changed. Audiences relate to it and even copy it more easily."

The actors raise the oomph factor by showing off their curves, yet not showing too much skin, to avoid upsetting families — their main audience. Their 'pallus' (front panel of the sari) are narrower and show off a lot more cleavage now. Blouses have more daring cuts and ample waist display is common. Even actors in a salwar kameez show off cleavage with low necks and deep backs.

Hunar Hali, seen in Color's Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat, agrees, "The sari is a very sexy outfit. We still remember Sridevi's sexy dance in a sari in 'Kaate nahin kat tay'. Indian 'bahus' (daughters-in-law) are expected to wear saris, so in this manner, we can make them look sexy. No other garment can highlight a woman's body better. It covers, as well as reveals, just the right amount."

Krystle D'Souza, Sanaya Irani, Ankita Lokhande, Rashmi Desai and Tina Dutta are among actors

who flaunt their figures in fitted outfits like salwar kameez or blouses. At times, they're even draped in sheer fabric for extra appeal.

Targeting men?

Adaa Khan, who has recently been wearing blouses with sheer fabric covering her entire back on her show Amrit Manthan, feels, "Women ape the styles shown on TV and want to dress sexy for their men. Nowadays, showing the navel or wearing low-waist saris is in. The style of wearing saris in films has become sexier, and it has trickled down to TV too."