These new Bollywood divas are daring enough to go all the way

We turn the spotlight on a bunch of new girls in Bollywood, who come with no pretension and no inhibitions when enacting intimate scenes or wearing skimpy outfits

Bollywood is witnessing a surge of fresh-faced actresses who don’t mind going risqué in their very first role. The films they are part of, not only require enacting intimate scenes or wearing skimpy outfits, but even signing a nudity clause. Producer Ekta Kapoor has incorporated a nudity clause in her upcoming erotic thriller XXX, directed by Ken Ghosh. The nudity clause means any actor becomes legally bound to expose as much as he or she is asked to according to the demand of the script. It also includes shooting intimate scenes and use of explicit language. hitlist spoke to these girls with guts...

I didn’t really have inhibitions because my co-star in Action Jackson was Ajay Devgn and director was Prabhu Dheva - Manasvi Mamgai

Manasvi Mamgai
When I signed for my debut film Action Jackson (2014), I knew my character had to wear skimpy outfits, but I was told that it would be shot in an aesthetic way. I didn’t really have inhibitions because my co-star was Ajay Devgn and director was Prabhu Dheva. When you are told that there is a demand for bold scenes, you have to see what the set up is. My parents were fine when I told them about my bold character in the film. Times have changed and exposing is not that big an issue anymore. There are so many bold movies being made nowadays, but they are shot aesthetically. Signing a nudity clause is a bit extreme and I am not too sure if I would sign it. If it’s a sex comedy then I wouldn’t do it. I am not comfortable with that genre.

I treated my co-actor as if he was mine and not just a co-star - that’s how the intimate scenes came out really well - Sneha Arun

Sneha Arun
I make my debut in XXX and during the audition, I was extremely uncomfortable. I decided to turn back, but then I was told to give it a try. It went bad, but I got it right the second time. I was really nervous. My mind was prepared, but my body was not ready for it. I am a theatre artiste, but enacting the bold scenes made me hesitant. After 20 days I got a call saying I had been selected. I immediately called my parents and told them about the film and the role. They asked me if I was okay doing it. I looked upon it as an actor doing work. I started watching Sunny Leone’s videos as part of my preparation. I am confident about doing the role, though I don’t know if I will be comfortable. After meeting the film’s director Ken Ghosh, I was fine. Coming from a Pune-based Maharashtrian family, it is a big deal, but my parents said that you act and we will take care of the rest. Often we think we are mentally prepared, but when the scene happens we are not. The shoot was done in absolute privacy. Ekta Kapoor and Ken Ghosh made sure that very few people were on the sets and that there were mostly females on the set. I treated my co-actor as if he was mine and not just a co-star — that’ s how the intimate scenes came out really well. I am a shy, homely person but the fact is I had been looking for opportunities since the last four years. I started acting when I came to Mumbai in 2011, took up dance classes and did theatre. I have done a couple of reality shows. There are thousands of aspiring actresses and are good looking, but very few can act. I was hesistant initially but I believe in destiny, I think I was at the right place at the right time. When I heard about the nudity clause, I did go numb for a moment. I thought I am going to be naked. To avoid us backing out later or changing our minds, the makers incorporated the nudity clause.

Manaara Chopra

Manaara Chopra
After I shot for a South film, I went for a few auditions one of which was my Bollywood debut Zid (2014) – an erotic thriller. I auditioned twice and brushed up on my Hindi. When I was selected and told about the bold scenes, I agreed as long as I could watch the film with my family. I would not, however, sign a nudity clause. I haven’t set any limits, but would prefer doing roles which families can watch.

As a model, I am comfortable with my body - Kyra Dutt

Kyra Dutt
After I did the Kingfisher calendar in 2013, I began modelling and started auditioning for films. I also enrolled at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares. As a model, I am comfortable with my body, but I did give it a lot of thought when I was selected for XXX. There were three rounds of auditions. When I was told that I have bagged the role, I called my parents first. In our family, girls are pushed to realise their ambitions. When I told them about XXX, they were happy that I got my first break with Balaji. As for the nudity clause, I knew what I was getting into, so it was not a big deal for me. The DoP of the film is a woman — when you know there is a woman behind the camera you automatically become comfortable.

I still can’t believe that I am doing a film. So many people come to Mumbai every day to become actors; they struggle for years. Now that I am doing this film, I am not thinking whether I should have started with a bold film
— Pryanca Talukdar

Pryanca Talukdar
I am from Kolkata and started modelling a year back. XXX is my Bollywood debut. Ken called me for the role and I auditioned. When he told me about the film and the requirements of the role, being a model I was pretty comfortable with wearing a bikini. Later, he told me that there was more to it, so I told him to give me time to think. I spoke to my family and they said go ahead. I still can’t believe that I am doing a film. So many people come to Mumbai every day to become actors; they struggle for years. Now that I am doing this film, I am not thinking whether I should have started with a bold film. My dad still does not know the name of the film. My mom is an actress in the north-east. She has told me to not keep thinking that your father or brother is watching it – take it as a role and give it your best shot. India is accepting such genre of films now.

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