4 Bollywood films that boldly advocated for safe sex and contraception using humor and wit!

Here we take a look at how a new wave of Indian cinema is normalizing conversations around the taboo topic and contributing to open discussion on sexual health. 

Nothing has the power of breaking stereotypes like cinema, and it's safe to say that Hindi films have done a fair job in normalizing conversations around topics that were considered taboo. The new wave of films is seeing Bollywood progressively discuss menstruation, LGBTQIA+ rights, STDs directly and managing to at least spark a discussion about these subjects in public discourse and destigmatized it. Modern filmmakers have also fearlessly tackled sensitive topics of safe sex and contraception, weaving them into narratives with humor and wit, which has helped bring these private conversations into the mainstream. This stands in stark contrast to older films that handled intimacy with a sense of shame or secrecy, often using song and dance to hint at romantic or physical relationships. 

Remember those symbolic shots of two flowers swaying together in the breeze or a couple running around trees? Classic cinematic tropes for covert depiction of intimacy that added to the stigma around it! Thankfully, today’s filmmakers are approaching these subjects head-on and contributing significantly to social change. However, truth be told, we are still a fairly conservative society and films handling safe sex and contraception are few in number and often smaller in scale. Despite this, they have boldly tackled a subject that is brushed under the carpet or met with akwardness or embarrassment with woman characters headlining most of them and playing a crucial role in normalizing a topic that is vital for public health and individual well-being. 

Also Read: Breaking down Rangeen and Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper - two tales that fall short of saying anything real about sexual pleasure and desire!

Here we look at a handful of films that dared to spark a conversation about contraception, a topic often considered too private for the big screen, and in doing so, helped to demystify a significant aspect of public health.

Khandaani Shafakhana - Prime Video 

Shilpi Dasgupta’s Khandaani Shafakhaa discussed safe sex, contraception, and sexual health in a light-hearted manner. The film saw Sonakshi Sinha’s Baby Bedi inheriting her uncle’s sex clinic and running it despite the stigma attached to it, especially in the small town setting of Punjab. The film, despite not being a major box office success, was an impressive attempt at addressing candid discussion about reproductive health and the reluctance to buy condoms. The 2019 venture, through humor and awareness, also subtly emphasized on the importance of contraceptives in enabling pleasurable and safe intimacy.

Janhit Mein Jaari - ZEE5

Directed by Jai Basantu Singh, Janhit Mein Jaari is a social-comedy-drama starring Nushrratt Bharuccha that not only tickled the funny bones of the viewers but also opened their minds about the idea of safe sex, use of condoms, and normalising discussions about the topic. The film explored the journey of a young girl named Manokamna Tripathi (Bharuccha), a sales representative working for a local condom manufacturer in Orcha, Madhya Pradesh, who gets emotionally invested in the job after a tragic event. The film sees her fight to overcome cultural taboos and encourage conversations about contraception and work for the betterment of women, in a society drenched in conservative and orthodox ideologies. The film was hailed for its refreshing plot and humor while delivering a solid social message on the importance of safe sex and planning families.

Helmet - ZEE5

A quirky comedy film that explored the social shame and embarrassment of purchasing condoms in India, Helmet saw Lucky (Aparshakti Khurana) and his friends rob an e-commerce company truck, thinking it has mobile phones, however, ending up with condoms instead. The film used humor to address the discomfort, highlighting the absurdity of the stigma around contraceptives, and raised thoughtful questions about why society looks down upon a product created to promote safe sex and prevent unwanted pregnancies. The film used satire to break the taboo, and encourage the audience, especially men, to look at contraception as a normal and necessary part of life.

Chhatriwali - ZEE5

Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar’s Chhatriwali, followed a young woman named Sanya (Rakulpreet Singh) who reluctantly accepts a job at a condom manufacturing company due to the socio-cultural taboos attached to it. The film used humour and simple storytelling to tackle the stigma surrounding contraceptives in smaller towns and rural parts of India. The film saw Sanya undergoing a heartfelt transformation after she realises the need to embrace her role in promoting safe sex for the safety and empowerment of women. The film powerfully touched on important themes like women's reproductive rights, sexual awareness, and family planning and underlined that women too deserve to have an equal  stake in these discussions, making the topic less taboo and more accessible!

These films, though often a small part of a larger cinematic landscape, are quietly but powerfully driving a social change, proving that a story on screen can spark an important conversation in every home!

What do you think about these films? Tell us in the comments below!

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