Indian producer Prerna Arora is including intimacy coordination clauses in actors’ legal agreements. Arora, known for acclaimed films “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” and “Pari” is believed to be one of the first Indian producers to do so.
Intimacy coordination is a nascent field in Indian cinema with Aastha Khanna Bhardwaj (Netflix’s “Murder Mubarak”) being one of the pioneers in the Hindi-language Bollywood industry and Jayalakshmi Sundaresan (“Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu”) in the Tamil-language Kollywood industry. Shakun Batra’s Prime Video film “Gehraaiyaan,” headlined by Deepika Padukone, was one of the first Bollywood films to have a dedicated intimacy department and the team included Bhardwaj, Dar Gai and Neha Vyas.
Arora recognized the need to formalize protocols surrounding intimate scenes in response to industry-wide discussions on the importance of creating a supportive and respectful atmosphere on set.
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“In light of recent conversations and movements within the global film industry, it became evident that we needed a standardized approach to handle intimate scenes. Legalizing these measures not only protects the actors but also sets a precedent for professionalism and accountability,” Arora said.
“Respecting the boundaries and dignity of every individual on set is paramount to fostering a safe and professional work environment,” Arora added. “By legalizing the presence of intimacy coordinators and establishing clear guidelines, we ensure that everyone involved feels comfortable and empowered to speak up if they have concerns.”
Arora’s upcoming projects include Hindi-language revenge drama “Dunk: Once Bitten Twice Shy,” directed by Abhishek Jaiswal and starring Tusshar Kapoor, Niddhi Agerwal, Shivin Narang, Suchitra Krishnamoorthy and Vinay Pathak; and Telugu and Hindi-language film industry-set drama “Hero Heeroine,” directed by Suresh Krissna and starring Soni Razdan and Divyah Khossla.