Dear Lara, ten years after the #MeToo movement ignited a global reckoning with sexual exploitation in entertainment, Bollywood has moved from symbolic imagery to strict safety protocols on its film sets. The industry now employs intimacy coordinators and modesty tools to formalize intimate scenes, a shift driven by streaming platforms and a renewed demand for realistic storytelling.
A Shift From Symbolism To Safety Protocols
Bollywood once largely sidestepped physical intimacy on screen for decades due to strict government guidelines and powerful censors. Kissing and sex were previously implied symbolically, with flowers brushing against each other or crashing waves standing in for overt desire and consummation. Even when filmmakers pushed the boundaries, the mechanics of filming intimate scenes remained largely unstructured until recently.
Once unheard-of in Bollywood, intimacy coordinators are becoming an increasingly familiar presence on sets as filmmakers embrace stricter standards after the #MeToo movement put a spotlight on sexual exploitation in entertainment industries around the world. The emergence of such coordinators reflects a broader transformation in an industry where intimate scenes traditionally relied on trust between actors and directors, often with few formal safeguards.
Most arrive on set armed with “modesty tools” that allow performers to simulate intimacy while minimising unnecessary physical contact. A typical kit includes crotch guards, nipple pasties and doughnut cushions, which ensure a safe distance between performers during sex scenes. Just like a stunt director handles a fight scene, these professionals map out exactly where the hand goes and where the hair goes so nothing is left to awkward improvisation.
Streaming Platforms Drive Nuanced Storytelling
The shift comes as streaming platforms have pushed storytelling into a more nuanced territory, creating greater demand for realistic portrayals of sexuality. Among the first mainstream Hindi productions to formalise the practice of intimacy direction was “Gehraiyaan”, backed by filmmaker Karan Johar and released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.
This model has gradually spread across productions meant for streaming services, which industry experts say have been the primary drivers of change. There is much less censorship and more openness to stories that explore taboo subjects within this new ecosystem. Crime drama franchise “Mirzapur”, known for its graphic content, started off without intimacy coordinators in its early seasons but has since adapted to these evolving standards.
Lead actor Rasika Dugal stated it is very important to have intimacy coordinators so nobody is violated in any way and everyone’s concerns are properly taken care of. In the initial seasons, she noted that they had to navigate boundaries individually based on personal comfort before the formalization of these roles became standard practice.
The Model Of Vetting Scripts Before Signing
Bollywood’s glamorous exterior long concealed a chaotic backstage culture where personal boundaries were routinely crossed. The idea is that actors know there are intimate scenes in the script and can decide whether they are comfortable with them before signing on. Professionals like Aastha Khanna number just over a dozen across India’s film and television industry, representing a small but growing group of intimacy coordinators in Bollywood.
The model of hiring coordinators before casting allows actors to decide comfort levels with intimate scenes before signing on. Khanna said coordinators are usually hired before casting begins to ensure that the production team respects the safety and boundaries of every performer involved.
Legacy Of #MeToo Ending Decades Of Unstructured Filming
The legacy of #MeToo has ended decades of unstructured filming practices where actors were often expected to endure uncomfortable situations without recourse. The movement’s impact is evident in how productions now vet scripts before signing, ensuring that performers are not forced into scenes they deem unsafe.
In the past, if an actor was uncomfortable with a scene, they might face professional retaliation or pressure from powerful figures. Today, the industry has learned to prioritize consent and safety over expediency. As streaming services continue to champion diverse and complex narratives, the focus remains on creating environments where performers can tell their stories without fear of exploitation.
