As Mastram garners 11 million streams in a day, during the Coronavirus lockdown, we take a look at how a number of ‘erotic’ shows have, of late, been heating up temperatures on OTT platforms
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 25, 2020)

Adults-only content has existed forever but they were always few-and-far-between, and hardly ever meant for mainstream consumption, especially in India. But now, titillation seems to have become a tried-and-tested formula with the number of such shows on OTT platforms steadily increasing. And even audiences seem to be lapping them up.

Big numbers
According to a LetsOTT report, on July 3, adult comedy, Mastram recorded the highest single-day streams — 11 million. It has 362 million views till date in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. Swara Bhasker was recently seen in a sensuous avatar in a new web series, Rasbhari that focuses on the hypocrisy surrounding female sexuality in a patriarchal society. Plus, a few weeks back, XXX Season 2 was in the news and found itself in legal turmoil for depicting scenes “insulting the Indian Army”.

“It’s very simple: there is a demand for adult content and that’s why makers are attempting them,” says filmmaker Ken Ghosh, who has been associated with shows such as XXX Season 1 and Dev DD. “If made responsibly and in a sane manner, such content can go on to do very well. Also, unlike theatres or TV, OTT isn’t about community or family viewing. It gives privacy, so one can consume such content without feeling awkward.”

Demand and supply
Experts, though, contend that the idea behind such shows shouldn’t be to only “titillate or excite.” “In foreign shows, there’s a lot of nudity and skin show but it’s all a part of the narrative, and that’s how it should be,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. “In India, the genre is new, mainly because OTT is getting bigger now. Plus, the streaming space gives the freedom to push such content due to no censorship.”

Probably that’s why, by now, a number of shows — high on erotica — such as Gandii Baat, Panchali, Khul Ja Sim Sim, Kavita Bhabhi and Charmsukh among others have streamed on various OTT platforms. “Why are we becoming so painfully shy? After all, we are a land of Kamasutra. If there’s a need for erotica in the storyline, why not? Also, such shows are doing well because audiences are starved of such content from other platforms,” says ad guru Prahlad Kakar.

Lockdown effect
In India, such shows — almost always — come with their set of controversies/talking points. Bhasker-starrer Rasbhari, for example, was also under fire. “Nobody bats an eyelid to adult sex comedies (with men) but when you have a show about a woman, who is celebrating her sexuality, then everyone talks about Indian values, culture and the future of children,” the actor said recently.

Experts feel the viewership for adult shows is most likely to have gone up during the lockdown. “With OTT having been the preferred platform for entertainment now, such shows may have seen a spike in viewership. But to keep people hooked these shows can’t just be about erotica,” says Adarsh.
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Censoring OTT?
Unlike films and TV, OTT platforms aren’t under the purview of censorship/regulation. There has been a lot of talk about ‘a self-regulatory mechanism’ and ‘possibility of censorship’. But creators feel the authorities “should give audiences the freedom” to choose. “Right now, makers are trying new things since it’s a new platform. Soon, they’ll settle down. Makers must self-regulate but viewers should also have the option to watch or skip shows as per their wish,” says Ghosh.

Television Czarina Ekta Kapoor backs her apparently frivolous TV offerings as she discusses disparity in content across platforms
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 10, 2017)

For several years, Ekta Kapoor dismissed accusations of adding to the depleting pool of content on television with a, "Don't like it, don't watch it." Yet, chatter about the offerings on her digital platform being superior to the apparent inanity on TV is testimony to her creative genius. Soon after the release of Bose: Dead Or Alive, which dips into the subject of the freedom fighter's life after his speculated death, Kapoor talks about the lessons she's learnt that fuel the decision for segregated content. What comes to the fore is her unparalleled business prowess. Excerpts from the conversation:

Subhas Chandra Bose is the first public figure on whose life you've decided to make a web series. What about his story inspired you?
I came across news pieces which spoke about these strongly suggested spottings of Bose. There were conspiracies about the crash that apparently killed him. So, I started to Google him. And, each time I read something, I was pushed onto another link. Every link introduces you to another conspiracy. So, I hope this show makes you think and realise that if Bose were alive after his speculated death, what could have happened. If he chose to stay in hiding, why was that?

Bose's daughter, Anita had alluded that it was time people stopped bringing up the possibility of Bose surviving the crash. Did you interact with her as part of the preparations or to seek permissions?
We did not take any permissions from Bose's family. He's a national figure and we haven't spoken about any personal issues that weren't documented. As far as I'm concerned, if you are highlighting a political figure's life, you have to be fearless. You can't worry about who will be offended and who won't. I don't care. This is the simple belief of my life. When I read that Bose met Hitler, I was shocked. I wondered, what was he thinking? He was allowing himself to look bad [before the people of India]. That is unlike what politicians do. The man didn't care how he looked. His aim was clear - independence. In today's world, we need someone like him.

There's a very clear distinction in the kind of content you create for each medium.
Honestly, the first time I made LSD [Love Sex Aur Dhokha, 2010], people were shocked that I even knew the word sex. They thought I was someone who could only make sanskari shows. They forgot that I was a single girl, living in Bombay. The brand, Balaji Studio, is synonymous with family entertainment. [After LSD came out of this brand] people told me they didn't expect this from me. So, we created two brands that were at odds with each other. We have to respect cultures when we go to peoples' homes. When you watch a TV show, your grandmother, nephews and nieces do so together.

So, you have to watch entertainment that doesn't hurt sentiments. When you're alone, you're a different person. The different content is catered to the distinct personas of people. There's communal viewing [TV]. And then, there's personal viewing, which happens on the mobile phone. When you're home alone, you are making a choice for yourself. Thus, we are catering to different audiences. Even the web audience is so distinct. An urban girl living in Mumbai may enjoy a Test Case. A single man, who is interested in political thrillers, will like Bose. My mom will like Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat. A young girl from Bareilly, one who is trying to break away from forced moral rules imposed on her, will like Dev DD.

There's constantly a discussion on the depleting quality of content on Indian TV.
TV does a lot to promote acceptable social values. It showcases working girls, who also support families. For me, it's very important that all of my heroines be involved with some or the other NGO [on the show]. None of my girls are unemployed. All of them are working girls. Of course, if it's a drama, they're getting kidnapped and all, but there's always a conversation about work in all my shows. We have taken on social issues too. But, I can't show sex.

Is there any other public figure on whose life you'll make a show?
I had wanted to make one on Gayatri Devi, but it didn't materialise.

There's a lot of discussion around the filming of your next, Kedarnath, in the tough terrains. Did you interact with the unit?
I was there for one day and I don't know how they survived. When I reached, I was in shock. There's no civilization. There are four or five stalls of food, and for several kilometres, there's no civilization. There was no food. Keto [diet] was the most impossible thing to do there (laughs). Gattu [Abhishek Kapoor, director] had five people in his room. The heater would be on for five minutes, and would turn off for 10. We'd take turns to sit near it. It was a noisy one, but that didn't matter then. You can't hear a sound after 8 pm. It was scary. If you need medication, and if the helicopter can't reach, what will you do? The pitthoos [porters] were amazing. They were these guys carrying [huge] people. I don't know why people don't pick this up as human labour? Their agility made me jealous.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 6, 2017)

Sanjay Suri, best known for his roles in Jhankaar Beats and My Brother Nikhil is all set to step into the shoes of Chandramukhi, metaphorically, in Ekta Kapoor’s web series Dev DD. It is a bolder and feminine version of the classic story written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Sanjay gives a masculine twist to the character of Chandramukhi.

“Yes, it is the male version,” laughs Sanjay adding that when he was approached for the role, even he wondered what his character would be playing as the original Chandramukhi is a courtesan. He says, “My character Anurag completely breaks the notion of Chandramukhi, but the essence is retained and the importance remains the same. It’s a complex character, yet very intense. Anurag is not always at the receiving end in the story, which is contemporarised.”

He explains that some natural characteristics that come with being a man will seep into the character and give another layer to it. “How this guy comes into contact with the protagonist Devika is different, his trajectory is different,” he adds.

Unlike in the films where Chandramukhi’s past is unknown, Anurag’s past will be explored. He says, “Everything seems right in his life, he ticks all the boxes, but he is carrying certain baggage. There are some things in his life that he prefers to keep at the back of his mind, but those come to his mind when he meets some people (read Devika). He is a mix of strong and weak and becomes an important part of the protagonist’s life.”

The actor says shooting for web series is more liberating as an artiste. “Though the grammar is pretty much the same for a film and web series, here the narrative becomes edgier. When you are shooting for a film somewhere it becomes restricted because you have the burden of the release — how difficult or easy it will be — and the subjects you can touch upon in the current environment. On the web, it is more democratic, you can explore characters which you would not easily touch upon in a film. Language is not a barrier. Writing is different since the attention span is shorter for this audience and the plot points are changed,” elaborates Sanjay.

The series to be streamed on Alt Balaji is directed by Ken Ghosh.

The filmmaker’s modern-day retelling of the Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay classic has a female protagonist while men take over as Paro and Chandramukhi
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 25, 2016)

After Bimal Roy, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Anurag Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor is gearing up to roll with a bold retelling of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel, Devdas. To be made into a web series titled Dev DD for her soon-to-be launched app, ALT Balaji, the series, set in modern times, will have a female protagonist and will be directed by Ken Ghosh. It traces the life of the young and rebellious Devika and her journey through love, passion, heartbreak, sex, self-destruction and redemption.

“It’s the female, younger version of Devdas and has a cool, modern look with a different approach. The title comes from the protagonist’s name, Devika Dharam Dwivedi. Instead of Paro and Chandramukhi, we have two men,” Ken told Mirror, adding that the show’s concept and script came from Ekta who wanted him to direct it.

Ken refused to divulge details about the acting lineup but revealed that 90 per cent of the cast comprises of new faces. “I must have seen at least 700 auditions for the 20-odd characters I have in my film. Before starting work, I had a workshop with all of them,” he informed.

The team will start shooting in Mumbai in the next few days after a long September schedule in Jaipur. “There are about eleven episodes but we are shooting it like a film. It’s top quality,” Ken promised.