THE DESI BOOM OF EROTICA

From a popular platform like ALTBalaji to some well-known yet well-hidden platforms, India’s desi erotica market is brimming with actors, creators, and those who want to normalise bold content, as well as an up, and taking notice of what the land of Kama Sutra can bring on screen

- Mayukh Majumdar

When Anveshi Jain, one of India's most Googled people, is informed that her net worth is around Rs 4-5 crores, there's a pause, followed by a delighted laugh, and a fuck, really?

In 2019, Jain had about Rs 70,000 in her bank account and two years before that, when she'd run away from her hometown of Khajuraho to come to Mumbai, she had Rs 4,800 to her name.

What changed in one year? Her starring role in ALTBalaji's hit series, Gandii Baat 2. Jain states that despite having faced rejections, she was finalised for the second season of Gandii Baat because of her audition, and of course, the body type they were looking for.

When I was finalised, they told me if I knew that what I had signed up for had bold content. I asked them what bold content meant, according to them. They asked me to check out the first season and when I did, I was shocked. This is what I had signed up for? Shit. But then I thought, I have to take a chance, and make the best of it, she says.

Jain featured in Bai-sexual, which also stars actress Flora Saini. The two have a love affair in the episode, which is shown in complete gritty detail — there's no soft lighting, mood music, or Gustav Machaty-esque thrill of intimacy involved.

Sachin Mohite, the brain behind the series, says that this was a conscious decision, not just in this episode, but throughout the five seasons.