Changing face of sex-workers in Indian movies

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Changing face of sex-workers in movies

By Priyanka Khanna, IANS

Monday, 19 July , 2004, 09:04

New Delhi: From the pathos of Waheeda Rahman in Pyaasa to the mystic

of Rekha in Umrao Jaan and now the boldness of Neha Dhupia in -

- the portrayal of sex-workers in Hindi cinema has undergone

numerous changes.

The on-screen persona of Manisha Koirala in Market or of Tabu in

Chandni Bar is poles apart from that of the good-hearted courtesans

of Pakeezah, Umrao Jaan, Amar Prem or of Chandramukhi of all three

versions of Devdas.

The depiction of flesh trade in films today is also different from

that in Mandi, Bazaar, Sadak or Chetna of the bygone era.

Shoma A. Chatterji, author of Woman: A Study of the Portrayal of

Women in Indian Cinema, says patriarchy and markets have always

dictated how sex-workers and the politics of prostitution are

projected in the Hindi film industry.

, slated for release July 23, is based on the life of an

upmarket sex-worker by the same name -- a genre that has been

attempted in several Hindi films.

The film is grabbing attention for the former Miss India's steamy

scenes. Priyanshu Chatterjee and Sanjay Kapoor are her co-stars.

" It () is the journey of an innocent girl whom circumstances

lead into becoming a highly emotional woman. Professionally, she is

a sex worker, " says 23 year-old Neha Dhupia, who is one film old.

The film, directed by Deepak Shivdasani, who made Pehchaan, Baaghi

and the commercial dud Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, is based on the

sensitive subject of flesh trade but the excessive skin show in

promos have raised doubts about its intent.

Though Deepak and Neha are quick to note that the movie delivers a

strong social message and is not a semi-porn film, their claims seem

hallow going by the promos.

Not so long ago, Jaago turned the real life tragedy of rape of a

physically challenged minor into rape of the cause by showing the

rape scenes over and over.

Then Girlfriend dealt a severe blow to the cause of gay groups by

portraying a lesbian as mentally deranged and now threatens to

turn film on a serious subject that the UN calls " trade in human

misery " into a sleaze flick.

There are two million women sex workers in India with most coerced

into the trade by abduction or deception.

An estimated two in five sex workers are below 18 years of age.

Those involved in the sex trade are demanding the legalisation of

the profession. But such serious issues never find mention in our

Hindi films.

Only Madhur Bhandarkar came close to confronting the issues of

prostitution and AIDS in Chandni Bar.

Actress-turned-filmmaker Revathi, who is making a film on an AIDS

patient, seems set to follow in Madhur's footstep. She says her film

hopes to promote the message of safe sex instead of sermonising to

people against prostitution.

" I met many commercial sex workers. Spoke at length with them. I

realise now that there is no point in telling them to not get

involved in it, " says Revathi.

" Instead, you should tell them to practice safe sex. At least that

way, you can prevent HIV from spreading. "

" Today's youth feel monogamy is a farce. When commercial sex workers

are available for as low as Rs.50, promiscuity has become rampant.

It is better to stress on safe sex right now. "

Former Miss World turned screen diva Aishwarya Rai will also essay

the role of a sex worker in Chaos, to be directed by French director

Coline Serreau and co-starring Hollywood actress Meryl Streep.

The film is about a sex worker and a woman trying to find freedom

from a selfish husband and a ruthless pimp and is likely to be

completed next year. Until then, we will have to bear with watching

a whole lot of Neha in Deepak's version of the life of a sex worker.

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