12 Boldest Indian Movies About Sex (2022) – Many of you are probably aware that sex is still considered a taboo subject in India. Now I could write an essay about why this has been the case for so long. Various political and cultural issues are at work here, but let’s not get into that since, frankly, we’re here to talk about cinema, and only cinema. Indian sex films are uncommon, and films with heavy sexual content have a lengthy history of censorship struggles.
In India, filmmakers have frequently battled to express their personal ideas on sexuality while still presenting the subject in a strong and realistic manner. As a result, we at The Cinemaholic believe that it is past time to discuss this issue and encourage people to view films that are far more meaningful than what conventional Bollywood cinema churns out brazenly for the sole aim of multiplying investments. So, without further ado, here is a list of the greatest adult Indian movies about sex. Please note that this is not a list of Indian porn movies.
Love Sex Aur Dhoka (2010)
This anthology film directed by Dibakar Banerjee covers three stories, each dealing with a different issue. The second section of the film is about sex and follows a girl working in a supermarket who becomes involved in a complicated relationship with a man who tries to take advantage of her by producing a sex tape with her and then selling it to pay off his loan shark debts. It’s a terrible, honest depiction of sex and how it’s still commonly regarded a taboo in India, with women frequently finding up on the “wrong” side of the act.
Ek Choti Si Love Story (2002)
A 15-year-old boy observes his beautiful neighbor and falls in love with her. Yes! In case you’re wondering, it’s a remake of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s classic ‘A Short Film About Love.’ Aditya Seal and Manisha Koirala play the key characters, and the film sparked controversy in India due to its extremely strong depiction of sex and promiscuity. While it may appear to be a straightforward romance drama on the surface, the film’s nuanced, detailed representation of adolescent sexual turmoil transforms it into a love story of endless intricacy and unfathomable depths.
B.A. Pass (2013)
No other modern Indian cinema has dealt with sexuality with such astonishing maturity and startling sincerity. ‘B.A Pass’ is without a doubt one of the most important Indian films released in recent years, and the way it portrays a damaged society while bringing out the monsters in everyday people is just remarkable. Based on Mohan Sikka’s novel The Railway Aunty, the film follows Mukesh, who loses his parents in a car accident and lives with his aunt. The plot takes frightening turns throughout, with suspense and anxiety pervading the mood, and its treatment of genuinely dark subjects is breathtakingly brave and terribly honest.
Miss Lovely (2012)
‘Miss Lovely,’ one of the most underappreciated Indian films of the decade, is a film of breathtaking ambition and authoritative vision. It dives deep into regions we fear, places we wish didn’t exist in the first place. It gives an unsettling look into society’s outskirts and the diverse lifestyles that ordinary individuals with ordinary ambitions and desires lead on a daily basis. The film’s main focus is on the dark elements of Mumbai’s C-Grade porn-horror film industry in the 1980s, although sexual frustration and despair are some of the themes that are overtly addressed. Simply said, this is unlike any other Indian film you’ve seen.
That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011)
The thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap follows a British woman who travels to India in search of her father. She lacks a work permit, so as her stay lengthens, she begins working at a massage parlor, where she sexually pleases her clients. However, it is revealed at the end that her father is one of her frequent clients and was well aware that she was his daughter the entire time. Devastated and shocked, she puts up her yellow boots and departs as her lifetime pursuit comes to an abrupt stop. The film offers a highly distressing and unflinching look at contemporary Indian society and the pervasive cult of godmen in India.
Unfreedom (2015)
Over the last few years, Indian film has taken on a lot of daring, provocative themes, and although this is obviously a good thing for pushing the art form forward, the truth remains that just a few of them have been good. ‘Unfreedom’ could be one of them. The film follows two storylines: one in New Delhi, where a lesbian female kidnaps her bisexual partner, and another in New York, where a Muslim extremist decides to kidnap a Muslim scholar on a mission to kill him. The film sparked outrage due to its explicit depiction of sex and nudity, and it was never released in India outside of a few film festivals.
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)
Mira Nair released another breakthrough film eight years after the classic ‘Salaam Bombay,’ this time tackling the ancient Hindu concept of Kama Sutra, which is widely considered to be the normal sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature. And, ironically, the picture sparked a great scandal in India and was banned due to its daring approach to sexuality. The film did not receive a fair judgment at the time of its release, but it has been subjected to regular study by critics over the years, and while it does not hold up to Nair’s greatest works, it is nevertheless a daring piece of art that is immensely relevant in the context of India.
Cosmic Sex (2014)
Bengali movies are known for producing some of Indian cinema’s greatest classics, and they continue to produce high-quality independent films that deal with powerful, bold issues that are pertinent in today’s circumstances. Amitabh Chakraborthy’s ‘Cosmic Sex’ is a daring, challenging work of art that is shamefully underappreciated. It highlights a complicated connection between a man and a woman and digs extensively into sex and spirituality themes. This is a film that pushes the boundaries of Indian cinema. It’s bold, seductively dark, and intriguingly provocative.
Sins (2005)
‘Sins,’ one of the most divisive Indian films ever created, depicts a turbulent sexual connection between a Catholic priest and a young lady. Although sex is not the main theme of the picture, it does have strong sexual implications and was praised for its daring, frank representation of sex, with a few topless sequences causing controversy. It’s masterfully written, and it depicts the characters’ relationship in a brutally uncompromising, emotional, and raw manner. The film was inspired by the true incident of a Kerala priest who was put to death for sexual harassment and murder.
Fire (1996)
Now, let me state unequivocally that ‘Fire’ is NOT a sexy film. However, sex is one of the film’s key thematic concerns. The two protagonists are lost, isolated by their chilly husbands, and long for the comfort they find in each other’s arms. In many ways, it’s a love story, but it’s also about the sad reality of the human condition. The film was one of the first prominent Bollywood films to deal with homosexual relationships. It was controversial at the time since it had multiple sexually graphic sequences and was extraordinarily daring in its investigation of India’s patriarchal societal framework.
Gandu (2010)
Quashiq Mukherjee is one of India’s most fascinating filmmakers working today. ‘Gandu,’ his controversial black-and-white pornographic film, centres around an unnamed youth who is emotionally and sexually unhappy and lonely and is looking for methods to express himself. The film is filled with striking visuals and aggressive language, which sparked widespread outrage. The film’s sexual nature turned off viewers, and many departed during the sex scenes. Due to its contentious character, the film was not exhibited in public screenings anywhere in the country until the Osian Film Festival in 2012.
Parched (2015)
‘Parched,’ one of the most daring films in recent years, is arguably more pertinent than any other contemporary Indian cinema. The film illustrates the anguish, rage, and struggle of four women as they try to deal with their own inner demons and the society around them while discussing men and sex. The film addresses some major problems about India’s patriarchal system and is astonishingly bold and forthright in its investigation of themes. Unsurprisingly, the film sparked controversy and had to contend with India’s stringent censorship laws.