In the history of Indian cinema, nudity and bold performances have often sparked intense debate. While the Indian Censor Board maintains strict regulations, many actresses have chosen to shed their inhibitions for the sake of storytelling, character depth, and artistic expression. From the vintage era of Bollywood to the modern age of OTT platforms, these performances have left a lasting impact.
Here are some of the most notable Indian actresses who performed nude or semi-nude scenes for the camera:
1. Mandakini (Ram Teri Ganga Meili, 1985)
Directed by Raj Kapoor, this film remains famous for a scene where Mandakini bathed under a waterfall wearing a thin, transparent white saree. At the time, this was considered incredibly bold and created a massive stir across the country.
2. Zeenat Aman (Satyam Shivam Sundaram, 1978)
Zeenat Aman was a pioneer of the “bold” look in Bollywood. In this film, her portrayal of Rupa involved several scenes in revealing attire and semi-nudity. She aimed to portray a character whose soul was more beautiful than her physical appearance, despite the visual boldness.
3. Radhika Apte (Parched)
Known for her fearless approach to acting, Radhika Apte performed a full-frontal nude scene in the internationally acclaimed film Parched. When the clip was leaked online, it caused a controversy, but Radhika stood her ground, stating that as an actor, she is comfortable with her body if the script demands it.
4. Swastika Mukherjee (Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!)
The popular Bengali and Hindi film actress Swastika Mukherjee performed a semi-nude/topless scene in this Dibakar Banerjee film. She received praise for her professional approach and for bringing authenticity to her mysterious character.
5. Priyanka Bose (Gangor, 2010)
In the film Gangor, based on a story by Mahasweta Devi, Priyanka Bose played a tribal woman. She performed a nude scene that was central to the film’s message regarding the exploitation of women. Her performance was highly lauded on the international film festival circuit.
6. Divya Prabha (All We Imagine as Light, 2024)
The Malayalam actress Divya Prabha recently made headlines for her role in the Grand Prix-winning film at the Cannes Film Festival. She performed a nude scene in the film, emphasizing that it was an essential part of the emotional narrative and not for sensationalism.
Other Notable Mentions
- Neha Dhupia: Made waves with her bold avatar and topless posters for the film Julie.
- Kareena Kapoor: Featured in a back-nude scene for the promotional posters and sequences of the film Kurbaan.
- Sunny Leone: Since her debut in Bollywood, she has been known for her comfortable approach to bold and intimate scenes.