The Sleazification Of Bollywood

Do you watch Bollywood movies? Or are you wondering what one is? Either way, if you check out a few, you'll realize the relevance of this post. And maybe you'll be able to relate.

I remember growing up, and watching Hindi movies with my family.Those were the days, when you could actually still watch them with your parents..now, I feel like covering my eyes and wishing I could be absorbed by my couch!

Back then, the genre was very wholesome. The stories were non-risque, soaked in religion and culture and above all..everyone was fully clothed. (I think you'd be lucky if you saw a womans ankles..oh my!). You sat for the required 3 hours and came back with some cheesy moral of the story. Parents loved it and for us kids, sure we groaned at the fact that everyone in the movie always did the "right thing".. and I mean always! But it was our first exposure to the Indian Film world and it did its job of entertaining as well as teaching us.

Well, things have come a long way baby! Now the woman are scantily dressed, dancing around seductively while the camera pans their body (ick!). Yes, they still don't kiss..but I've seen Bollywood movies where they seem to be doing everything but that. I remember one movie that I ended up seeing with my family, where there were so many gratuitous scenes (like all of a sudden, it goes to this long carwash fantasy scene, where this woman has water sprayed on her while the suds are flowing down her body) which had nooooooothing to do with the story..that I was so disgusted I turned it off. I'm a pretty progressive chick, and I'm not saying I can't handle seeing skin..far from it. But my problem is with a film genre that seems to be based in moralistic "holier than thou" values, being filled with contradicting smut. Hypocritical? I think so.

I understand things are changing at a fast rate within our Desi community, and that's great. But really, is THIS modernization? To show woman just as sexual objects? Come on now. Media is a very influential medium. And when we (and the much younger generation) are exposed to seeing women this way, it leads to it just being submerged within our subconcious. It's like if you watch porn..sooner or later, that will influence how you look at women. I don't think Bollywood movies have moved into the porn realm..but they're not far from the limits of soft porn.

The sad thing is that India has become such an international force to be reckoned with, in all things technical and otherwise, that its hard to understand how the film industry hasn't caught up. Bollywood movies are watched all over the world and are produced more every year than any other industry (including Hollywood). Film makers are trying to keep up with this demand as well as modernization, I understand this. But with that massive production, they have a responsibility to not only us, as their audience, but to the world. Is showing a sea of flesh really necessary? If it had something to do with furthering the plot, I get it, but showing skin just to sell their movies (the whole "Sex Sells" ploy)..now thats low.

Its difficult to find a good Indian movie these days, and most times I come out feeling like I wasted my 3 hours watching a boring, played out script with rap video montages (all the desi girls dancing in them are exactly like rap hoochies).

The Yash Raj movies or anything decent are few and far between. Why can't we have more movies like "Black" or even more recently "Parineeta". Actresses shouldn't have to shake their thang to get Bollywood appeal. Besides that, wouldn't it be nice to see some real acting for a change instead of the usual batting her eyes and showcasing her beauty?? (consider the acting of Glenn Close or Jodi Foster versus Ashwairya Rai).

There is definite talent within the Indian acting community, but most of it is wasted in these sleazy films. There should be a higher regard for acting and the images of women being portrayed. Why can't we see women in lead roles,where they are shown as independent and multi-faceted, rather than just being a temptress or a domestic role model.

Sorry to keep ranting, but wouldn't you love to see someone who wasn't a former Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss India or Supermodel acting in these movies (and this goes for the recent male actors too). Sure, its eye candy, but thats about all. Movies shouldn't be just to create some unrealistic fantasy but to allow us to relate and see different characters (looks and all). They should bring in some actors with imperfection and show our society that the tall, fat, short desi women and men can be just as beautiful, or allow these models to strip away the caked on makeup and be "real" for once. Acting should be about developing into a character, not having the character developed on you.


I guess this bothers me, since I believe an Indian Woman is more than "T and A". She is intelligent, cultured, and powerful. She should have more of a purpose than to just "Get the guy, Get married, and Be a good Indian girl". Our movies & media should reflect this.


I truly hope, one day, Bollywood will realize this and create more of the great movies we love. Movies which are famous for touching us and bringing us the emotion of a great story. All without the sleaze.