A Silent Revolution Behind the Scenes
Bombay – 2025
For an industry known for its song-and-dance opulence and choreographed romance, Bollywood has long walked a blurred line between artistic expression and personal boundaries. But the last few years have seen a quiet yet significant shift on Indian film sets—the arrival of intimacy coordinators.
What was once unspoken, ambiguous, or even uncomfortable is now being addressed with professionalism, protocol, and respect.
What Does an Intimacy Coordinator Do?
An intimacy coordinator is a trained professional responsible for:
- Ensuring actor consent during intimate scenes
- Designing choreography that respects personal boundaries
- Mediating between director and performer to align vision with comfort
- Establishing safe words, closed sets, and clear guidelines
Their role is not to censor intimacy—but tomake it consensual, structured, and artistically controlled.
From Global Standard to Indian Adoption
The presence of intimacy coordinators became standard practice in Hollywood post-2017, in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Platforms like HBO mandated their inclusion for all scenes involving physical intimacy.
In India, the movement took longer to gain traction but has now found its place. Notable productions like:
- Made in Heaven Season 2 (Amazon Prime)
- Gehraiyaan (Dharma Productions)
- Qala (Netflix)
… all employed certified intimacy professionals to oversee sensitive sequences.
Changing Industry Mindsets
For an industry that once left intimate scenes to improvisation or vague direction, this is a radical change. Actors—especially women—are nowspeaking openlyabout how this practice has made them feel more secure and respected on set.
Deepika Padukone, in an interview post-Gehraiyaan, acknowledged the importance of having clear emotional and physical boundaries during vulnerable scenes.Swastika Mukherjee, who worked with a coordinator onQala, described it as “one of the most dignified experiences” of her career.
Institutional Backing
While the practice is not yet mandated by Indian regulatory bodies, some production houses and OTT platforms have begun making it acontractual requirement. Training programs and certifications are emerging through collaborations with international bodies like Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) and Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE).
These developments suggest thatethical filmmaking is becoming an institutional priority, not just a personal one.
Resistance Still Exists
Despite the progress, adoption remains uneven. Many traditional directors remain skeptical, viewing the practice as “unnecessary interference.” Budget constraints, lack of awareness, and stigma continue to hinder widespread implementation—especially in regional or independent cinema.
But the cultural conversation has begun.
The Future of On-Screen Intimacy
The presence of intimacy coordinators signals more than procedural change—it reflectsa maturing artistic ecosystem. It shows that Indian cinema is learning to balance bold storytelling with ethical rigor.
In a country where censorship battles are loud and institutional reform is slow, this quiet shift may be one of the most significant transformations happening behind the scenes.
Consent is no longer optional. It’s part of the craft.
