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.

Even as the first instalment was criticised, Swara Bhasker reveals controversial series Rasbhari renewed for second edition
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 22, 2020)

Swara Bhasker's Rasbhari was subjected to a social media trial of sorts after it dropped online on June 25. An expression of displeasure from Central Board of Film Certification chairman Prasoon Joshi, several debates about the show's risqué content and countless hate tweets later, the actor reveals that the Amazon Prime Video series has been renewed for a second season.

"It was always meant to be a multi-season venture. The first instalment ends at a point where the viewer knows ki picture abhi baaki hai. The show leaves you at such an interesting hook point," says Bhasker, joking that it shares similarities with Baahubali in that regard. "At the end of Baahubali [2015], the audience was wondering why Katappa killed him. Here too, you have to watch the next season to know the reasons [behind the protagonist's actions]."

The series — which has Swara Bhasker play a teacher whose teenage student becomes obsessed with her — was severely criticised for having an exploitative gaze. However, the actor believes the story has its share of nostalgic value. "Haven't we all had a crush on some good-looking teacher in school? Sometimes, teachers like Shanu Bansal [her character] have aspirational value. We want to tap into that in the upcoming editions. I am open to discussing the flaws that the first season had so that our work only improves hereon. But, at its heart, the show is all about making a better man of its adolescent hero. It also depicts how we are victims of our own conditioning."

Swara Bhasker calls out the hypocrisy of the Indian audience as her latest show about a woman owning her sexuality faces flak
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 7, 2020)

Swara Bhasker's latest offering Rasbhari has been in the news all week. The Amazon Prime Video series, which has Bhasker play a teacher whose teenage student becomes obsessed with her, has been slammed for its risqué content. The actor admits she too had her share of doubts when the project came her way. "Since it deals with adolescent sexuality and infatuation, the show depends heavily on the writing. The reference point was Malena [2000], but this show has a comic take. Malena was quite sexually explicit, so I asked for a full script. Upon reading it, I realised this show goes beyond adolescent sexuality and highlights the prejudices of repressed societies. It shows how on one hand, people lust after women, but on the other hand, female sexuality is equally vilified," says Bhasker.

The explicit display of sexuality hasn't gone down well with many, with a section of netizens terming it "soft porn". But she reasons it was necessary to tell the story from a male gaze. "The story is a young boy's perspective and thus told from a male gaze to highlight the blatant objectification of women. The show is not a mere raunchy comedy and Nikhil Bhatt [director] created the climax in such a way that Rasbhari is a catalyst in creating a better man of its adolescent hero. It's not an easy show to watch, especially for those who are conservative. The show holds a mirror to all of us. But isn't that the point of art?"

Bhasker believes that the outright rejection of the series is yet another instance of our society's double standards. She argues that while the Indian audience is encouraging of thought-provoking shows from the West, it cannot stomach bold content that emerges from our backyard. Highlighting the hypocrisy further, she states, "Rape is fetishised on screen and depicted rather insensitively in most cases, but, that doesn't bother us. We are comfortable watching women being violated, but when we see Rasbhari, we squirm. The story of Anaarkali Of Aarah [2017] is easier to digest because a wronged woman is more palatable to Indian sensibilities. Shanu [her character in Rasbhari] is in a more powerful position socially, and Rasbhari [her alter ego] is unabashed about her sexuality. She is a courtesan figure who is not a victim, but revels in every shade of her existence."

One of the few vocal artistes in Bollywood, the actor has often bravely spoken against the establishment. While she takes the online trolling with a pinch of salt, Bhasker is not amused that the show is being targeted because of her political stance. "The bloodbath is relentless. The IMDb ratings have dropped. This has happened to Thappad and Pataal Lok, too. I am happy to debate well-intentioned criticism, but the responses from trolls are simply, 'Haww ji ye kaise dikha diya?' Adolescent sexuality is a real thing. People who haven't even watched the show are criticising it; they are doing so because they don't like me. Perhaps that's the path I have chosen by not being silent. It's a braver and harder path to express dissent. This is precisely why Bollywood doesn't speak up; stars know their ideology could affect their work."

Rasbhari creator defends Swara-fronted show as CBFC chief Joshi questions its 'irresponsible content' and netizens slam it
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; June 29, 2020)

Swara Bhasker-starrer Rasbhari has become the subject of a social media trial ever since it dropped online on June 25. The Amazon Prime Video series, which has Bhasker play a teacher whose teenage student becomes obsessed with her, has been termed "soft porn" by a section of netizens. Things reached a crescendo when Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi took to social media to express his displeasure. "Saddened by web series Rasbhari's irresponsible content portraying a little girl child dancing provocatively in front of men drinking," he wrote.

Creator-producer Tanveer Bookwala states that Rasbhari was designed to depict the issues that women face in a patriarchal society. "Prasoon Joshi is an intelligent man. I am shocked that he is seeing the scene [in such a light]. Don't all Indian parents ask their kids to showcase their dance and singing skills when guests are at home? Only a sick mind can think of anything sexual in it. I would want to ask him what was so sexual in the scene," states Bookwala. Over the weekend, the leading lady responded to Joshi's statement on Twitter, stating that he may have misunderstood the sequence.

The producer is dismayed that the show is being called out for having an exploitative gaze, the very trait it hoped to subvert. "The idea behind the series was to show the hypocrisy of our culture and the problems women face. It is about giving respect and dignity to women. They are seeing the series in a different light, entirely opposite of what was intended," he rues.

Bookwala believes that Bhasker, who is known to speak out against the establishment, is being singled out. "We chose her because she was apt for the role. You cannot vilify a person like this. Trolls are making sure that our IMDb ratings drop. This reeks of a game plan to attack the actor and the show."

mid-day reached out to Joshi, who remained unavailable for comment.

Swara Bhasker-starrer becomes the first Indian series to be officially selected for the Series Mania International Festival
MUMBAI MIRROR (February 27, 2019)

Nurturing talent across the world, the ‘Series Mania International Festival’ brings together the who’s who of the content industry from across the world to celebrate their talent. Applause Entertainment’s coming-of-age series, Rasbhari will be making a mark at this prestigious festival, as it becomes the first ever Indian series to be selected for the Short Forms Competition at the festival in France.

Series Mania International Festival, held at Lille in France, draws the most renowned names of the global series universe together on one common platform. Right from its inception in 2010, they have been instrumental in recognising and curating the best series in the world. Through this nine-day dynamic event, Series Mania brings the most renowned creators, screenwriters, directors and talents of yesterday, today and tomorrow’s serial universe under one roof. Rasbhari has broken ground with its newfangled narrative, impactful dialogues and eloquent cinematography. It has been selected alongside premium iconic shows for the Short Forms Competition like Break Up (France), Drive (Singapore), Fourchette (Canada), Germain s’éteint (Canada), Hell Is Other People (Denmark), M (Argentina), People Talking (Spain), State of the Union (United Kingdom) and ZéroStérone (France). Audiences present at this festival will also get to witness the world premiere of two episodes of Rasbhari.

Produced and co-created for Applause Entertainment by Tanveer Bookwala and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt (Saluun and Brij Mohan Amar Rahe), Rasbhari is a coming-of-age love story, set in the Hindi heartland of small-town Meerut. The writer of the runaway hit film Badhaai Ho, Shantanu Shrivastava’s stirring words, delectable turn of phrase, delightful local dialect and wicked sense of humour, coupled with Nikhil’s deft direction makes every character in this show come alive. Headlining a terrific cast of actors, the critically-acclaimed actor, Swara Bhasker, noted for her roles in Tanu weds Manu and Raanjhanaa, and her blazing success in Veere Di Wedding will play the enigmatic character of Shanu Madam, who is the object of attraction not only for the young hero, Nand (Ayushmaan Saxena), but also the entire male population of Meerut.

Swara’s co-star Ayushmaan Saxena, who rose to fame through Bombay Talkies and won hearts with his stint on Dance India Dance Season 4, brings to life Nand’s character, a 16-year-old boy who gets infatuated with his new English teacher. This story explores Nand’s rite of passage to adulthood with a strong dose of social satire, ridiculing these men and their inveterate sexism. The show also features Rashmi Agdekar, Pradyuman Singh, Neelu Kohli and Chitranjan Tripathi in pivotal roles. The title music has been composed by Chirantan Bhatt.

“We are delighted to represent India at the esteemed Series Mania International Festival, France. Good content has global resonance, and our selection in the much sought-after Series Mania Competition is a strong validation of this. Working in close collaboration with Team Applause, Tanveer, Shantanu and Nikhil have created a sparkling gem of storytelling, which is now finding an audience across borders and continents. We are excited to showcase this labour of love at the festival and are looking forward to stream it soon for viewers all over the world,” says Sameer Nair, CEO Applause Entertainment.

Tanveer Bookwala, Founder and Creative Director of Ding Entertainment, added, “Rasbhari (translated as ‘juicy’) is many parts sexy and all parts social satire. We have created a delightfully quirky and heart-warming tale, set in the landscape of exotic small town India that we hope it will appeal to prudes and poets alike.”

Swara Bhasker adds, “The artiste in me was thrilled to be a part of a unique narrative like Rasbhari and I am now beyond thrilled to know that our series has been selected for the prestigious Series Mania International Festival! Thank you, Tanveer and Ding for pulling this together, Shantanu for the writing, Nikhil for bringing it to life, my wonderful co-stars, especially Ayushmaan Saxena, and Applause Entertainment for their bold belief in us.”

Rasbhari will be streaming soon on a digital platform for the audience to watch and relish.

Applause Entertainment unites with Nikhil Bhat, Shantanu Srivastava, Tanveer Bookwala for a coming-of-age story
MUMBAI MIRROR (June 7, 2018)