How many frames can you recall of actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna and the entourage (in the ’80s and before that), baring their chest for a photograph or dropping their pants for a shot? Let us answer that. Not too many. The few attempts that were made by Anil Kapoor and Akshay Kumar later were met by much cringing, possibly as an offshoot of which, the two have mostly never ventured into the space again. Cut to 2016-17, male actors are more than eager to experiment with their partially nude poses, offering scintillating silhouettes for the big screen. It is no longer the domain of female actors alone. Here’s a look at how the desi male is undressing with oomph.
A still from PK movie
Radio and going ga ga
Salman may have flirted with a towel in Jeene Ke Hai Chaar Din, but it was Aamir who took a leap of sorts when he covered his modesty with but(t) a transistor. Few actors since have bared in Aamir style — until now.
A still from Saawariya movie
Like ’em like ’em?
Who can forget Ranbir’s iconic towel-draped moves in Saawariya while on the topic of bold male silhouettes? While the proverbial script may have demanded the jig, there are others who are voluntarily dropping the pants. For the young guns today, the big incentive includes views on social media or perhaps an opportunity to show off those hard-earned abs. Shahid Kapoor for instance, is a big fan of the latter. Even Ranveer Singh for instance, from time to time, offers a peek-a-boo shot for fans on Instagram.
A still from Udta Punjab movie
Nudity portrays violence
While it gives their female fans a lot to swoon over, not all actors are flattered by the attention the shots get them. Ranbir for instance has spoken about the trauma that followed the shoot and vowed to never give in to frontal nudity. He argued that unlike when the ladies take to the camera, male nudity isn’t ‘cinematic’ or ‘beautiful’. In fact, Ranbir happens to think it seems violent. Let the ladies decided that, Ranbir?
A still from Ram and Leela movie
Bathroom Selfies
For obvious reasons, the confines of a swish Bollywood bathroom make for the best backdrop when it comes to clicking a bare-chested selfie. Scroll through Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Sushant Singh Rajput or Vidyut Jamwal’s timelines to see what we mean. Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is a fan of the trend too.
Dharmendra
Male actors objectified?
So, is Bollywood viewing its men using the same lens it used for the ladies? It certainly seems so now. Sanjay Leela Bhansali may well be given credit for that. It all started with Ranbir Kapoor’s bare butt in Saawariya. Then came Goliyon Ki Rasleela-Ramleela where Ranveer had enough opportunity to show off his sexy abs. Bajirao Mastani was no less. It seemed to the viewers as if Bhansali’s camera had become Mastani’s eyes as she admired Bajirao’s chiselled physique.
A still from Deewar movie
Others took to it sooner or later. Director Ketan Mehta for instance, felt inspired by this trend and decided to bare Randeep Hooda’s body along with the heroine’s in Rang Rasiya.
Shah Rukh Khan however has treaded the path only for his director friend Farah Khan.
