B'wood's tryst with 'sex'

Sex as a theme has inspired scores of Bollywood directors. From the days of Guru Dutt to Anurag Kashyap, many have toyed with the subject, some subtly, others with impudence. Here's a look at some films where 'sex' plays a pivotal role. Though 'Karma Aur Holi' was hyped as a brave movie with a bold subject, it turned out to be a disaster in the box office. Only the intimate scenes between the lead stars Randeep Hooda and Sushmita Sen were talked about.

The recent Bollywood movie based on the sex scandals, 'Love, Sex Aur Dhokha' shocked many in terms of its boldness. Though the film transmits in every thread, the most scandalous part of the film is the sex scene between two protagonists.

One of the box office hits of 2004, 'Aitraaz' had Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. The story revolves around a woman and her sexual desires played by Piggy Chops. She plays a manipulative woman eyeing to seduce Akki for sexual gratification.

The movie 'Jism' has some sizzling on-screen chemistry between John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. One of the box-office hits of that year, the movie had some hot love making scenes between the two lead stars.

Neha Dhupia's 'Julie' hit the headlines when the actress went topless for the movie's posters. The movie tells the tale of transition of a small-town girl into a high society prostitute. Neha got noticed for her bold kissing scenes.

'Girlfriend' was a breakthrough film in Bollywood highlighting lesbianism. But rather than tackling the subject deftly, the movie became the talk of the town for the explicit scenes between Eisha Koppikar and Amrita Arora.

Now, who can forget Mallika Sherwat's movie 'Khwahish' and the 17 kisses that broke all records in Bollywood! Mallika's debut movie created waves just for the sizzling scenes.

Set in contemporary Mumbai, the movie 'Dil Kabaddi' takes a close look at the evolving equations among urban couples caught in web of boredom, loss of love and temptation. With Irrfan Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Rahul Bose, Payal Rohatgi and Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead the film deals with the physical desires of the couples.

Former Miss Madhya Pradesh Tanvi Verma made her debut in a movie called 'Bold'. It’s about a young girl who falls victim to the lust of a rapist. Later on, she vows to avenge him by seducing him and later killing him.

Set in 16th century India, the film 'Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love' chronicles the sexual adventures of two beautiful girls.

Deepa Mehta's 'Fire' is a movie with lesbian love as its theme. With Nandita Das and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles, the movie highlights the physical desires and needs of a woman.

'Ek Choti Si Love Story' is a 2002 romantic featuring Manisha Koirala, Ranvir Shorey and Aditya Seal. It is a story of 15-year-old Aditya and his voyeuristic love of his nameless neighbour.

'Aastha: In the Prison of Spring' is a 1997 Bollywood film starring Rekha and Om Puri in the main roles. The movie had a controversial role of a married woman who turns into a prostitute.

Way before when Shah Rukh Khan was struggling in Bollywood, the actor did a movie 'Maya Memsaab', the story which was based on the physical attraction of an older lady for a younger guy.

The 1984 movie 'Utsav' starring Rekha and Shekhar Suman in the lead roles raised all bars of boldness in Bollywood. The theme of the movie was a married man’s attraction for a courtesan.