Drops of water fall on the navel of the actress and with each aquatic touch, she writhes in pleasure; the camera takes an ultra-close shot of this, titillating the audience. Obviously, most city dwellers would not be seen in a cinema hall showing commercial Dhaliwood movies, but for the rural people, the main mode of entertainment means a night out in a hall located in the nearest town.
Interestingly, some films that are released here never make it to the main halls in major cities. This is done deliberately because if a movie, containing a wide variety of smut is shown in some remote town, in a theatre which is dark, dingy, and decaying, social watchdogs are hardly bothered.
The movies, made at low budgets, featuring B grade actresses who have faced restrictions in the past for their willingness to bare all, have no plot at all. The main purpose is to fill two hours with gratuitous violence and sex. When they pass the censors, special scenes are left out while these are later added before the movies are put up for viewing.
Marketed with explicit posters, they are only taken from one village or semi-urban cinema hall to another. Finally, when the profit has been made, the movie disappears. Well, the film vanishes but the “special” sections are combined with other such parts of different movies to be released in the market under titles like Joubon ekta Gold Leaf cigarette (youth is a Gold Leaf cigarette) or Amare satisfy kore de (come satisfy me).
Sounds far-fetched? Please drop by near the Nilkhet second-hand book stalls, where a thriving business of local semi–adult films does brisk business. Naturally, you have to look interested and ask in a conspiratorial tone: “Asey ni,” (do you have it?) and then be prepared to be showered by a variety of locally produced vulgarity.
Of course, sex in R-rated movies or adult films for that matter cannot be deemed obscene because they are labelled to show elements that cater to special demands of a special age group. That’s why entry to adult movie halls is restricted to those aged 18 or above in the West.
With the absence of any such regulation, school going children can walk in and be assailed by nudity accompanied by suggestive language. To make matters worse, some of these films are often released with the tagline: Come and enjoy with the family!
Family be damned, some movie theatres are reportedly used by organised prostitution rings for providing “service” within the halls. The rule is simple: Hire a sex worker loitering by the cinema hall, take her inside, be aroused while watching the film, and then exploit the darkness during film projection.
Funny, when we talk in open forums about movies, the upholding of moderate values through films is vociferously delivered while the shady use of movies to corrupt remains almost ignored.
We may adopt a stern puritanical character in public but in an age of globalisation, it must be admitted that there is a need for adult movie entertainment. Once a certain class of films is permitted, general films can be spared from incorporating vulgarity. That way, a division will be created; those wanting adult entertainment will opt for the R-rated films, undergoing age verification during entry.
Of course, we won’t throw away the possibility of bribes being used in the Bangladeshi context for breach of age related laws. Even with this risk, a clear distinction must be made so that children from schools do not end up in movies that often depict rape in graphic detail.
From a sociological perspective, these scenes, presented to the young mind, result in a distorted understanding of sex, thus spurring perverted behaviour like secret video recording of intimate moments and so on.
Another fallout is a predilection towards violent sex.
Asking for clear cut demarcation in movie entertainment content is easier said than done since the line between civilised and uncivilised film entertainment is becoming blurred day by day.
For argument’s sake, if manufacturers of filthy films question the rationale of “item numbers” in so-called fresh films, then who would be willing to provide a sensible answer?
Following Indian movies has become so ingrained in our entertainment industry that inserting an item piece has now become essential.
What is most annoying is the justification used by the actress performing in these numbers with the most common defence line being: “I am doing a provocative dance for the need of the movie.”
We certainly need to understand why, all of a sudden, a “virgin,” “god-fearing,” morally upright actress suddenly needs to expose her thigh, navel, and belly to compound the chastity of her character in the film.
Let’s be frank here – entertainment has evolved, so a little flesh exposure adds spice while helping in selling tickets. So, why create false layers of modesty when the double standards are so overt?
As for saving rural Bangladesh from the invasion of celluloid smut, it’s high time a discussion starts on creating a separate adult section in movies.
To end with the rise of popularity of item numbers in mainstream movies, I am reminded of a burgeoning actress who reportedly created quite a stir when she energised late hours in FDC with her daring moves. I hear on that “fateful” night, most of the camera crew could not sleep.
Did they manage to sleep the next day, I wonder. The actress, by the way, has asked that everyone prays for her so that she can flaunt her assets to rise to the top position. I can almost hear her saying: “Actually I am from a profoundly conservative family …” .
