Sexy or Sleazy?

By Anant Mathur (May 14, 2007)

There is a trend in the Indian Film Industry where all filmmakers are showing what could only be described as half naked women in the films. They’re confusing sexy with sleazy. Sexy doesn’t mean you show girls in bikinis. Sexy is an attitude.

But(t) why?

What's the point of all this sleaze? Is it just to sell some movie tickets? Is there really such a dearth of good stories that they have to stoop to this? Do filmmakers believe that people won’t come and see their film if they don’t have these half naked women? I don't think that's true, at least I hope not, otherwise the industrywala's are in big trouble. They can't start thinking this way.

Remember, yash raj films made Neal n Nikki, arguably the sleaziest film to come out of their camp, but it bombed like anything at the box office. They also made Veer-Zaara, which didn't have a Mallika Sherawat item number or any women in bikinis and yet was a huge hit. Veer-Zaara made more money than probably all these sleazy films combined. The audience has spoken.

I was travelling in a Scooter Riksha towards Juhu Beach a couple of days ago when a bus passed us by. The driver of the Rik saw an ad for OK magazine, featuring a half naked girl with a baby in her arms, on the back of the bus. He just started off after that, saying how can the government allow such sleaze on buses don't they know that children are seeing these things and how much of a bad influence it is for them. As we continued on the road he pointed out billboards which had similarly dressed girls posing for different products. He continued to say that if this doesn't stop people will get the wrong idea, then they complain about how crime is on the rise. Some servant raped a girl or someone broke into a home and raped someone. The government has to draw the line somewhere. How can girls pose like this? He continued on until I reached my destination. He was right in everything he said. He is the common man. The common man has spoken. He doesn't want to see sleaze. Not in films and certainly not on our streets where every man, woman and child has access to these almost pornographic images.

Filmmakers need to keep in mind that India is not the west, we still have extended families. Most people still go to the cinema with the entire family. If good films are being produced they will do well. The NRI audience is growing and fast becoming a major market. But why do Indian filmmakers think that just because NRI market is in the west they will want to see sleaze.

Having lived in Canada for the last 20 years, I know very well that the NRI audience for hindi films in Canada and the U.S. goes to see hindi films as a family. Yes, there are young couples and friends who go to these, but that’s not the majority. People still watch films as a family.

India still has a large population of elders, if filmmakers only make films for the younger generation they’re isolating this group. Filmmakers need to remember that these elder people probably have more money than the young lot who’re just starting their careers. If good family films are made then this elder group will spend their money on those films. They don’t want to see sleaze.

Yes, I’m sure like other things, there is a market for sleaze also. But, It’s probably the same market that watches porn. If filmmakers want to make sleaze why not make porn and call it what it is, just keep it out of the commercial films. The audience for commercial films wants quality. I for one can easily say that I don’t watch that many hindi films now. I used to watch at least 20 films a year in the cinema hall. Now that’s probably down to about 5 a year, I have stopped watching hindi films simply because they’re no good. I don’t want to see sleaze. If a quality film comes along I’ll go see it, but I don’t want to waste my money on sleaze which has no relation to the story of the film or on films without a good story and girls showing their assets. I’m the perfect example of what happens when good films are not made. People won’t watch sleaze no matter how well it’s promoted. I’m sure sleazy films are making money, but I doubt they're making as much as they would if they had a good story instead.

I guess these days directors are happy If their film runs for a week and makes a little bit of money as long as they don’t loose money, it’s all good. But what they fail to realize is that the audience is mature enough to know what a good film is and they will make more money if they make quality films rather than these sleaze-fests. We don't need producers and directors telling us sleaze is art, we all know they’re making these films for their own titillation. If they really want to show their talent they don't need sleaze, but i doubt these directors and producers have any talent. Sexy doesn't mean half naked women, sexy is an attitude, if only these guys would learn english and understand that. Sad, isn’t it!

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.