The recent photoshoot that Paper Magazine released with actor Ranveer Singh has created havoc all over the internet. There has been a high amount of sharing of these photos along with a wide variety of memes being circulated by netizens. Apart from the jokes, the shoot has created polarising opinions with certain groups of people appreciating the actor while other groups have harshly criticized him. 

The situation has gone as far as a police complaint being filed against the actor for indecency. However, this is not the first time that a case like this has arisen in the country. Ranveer Singh is hardly the first person to fully expose himself to the camera. There have been a number of celebrities who went ahead and indulged in risky photography. 

1. Aamir Khan 

Who can forget the famous PK poster featuring a nude Aamir Khan hiding himself with a transistor? A lawsuit against him claimed that the poster encouraged obscenity and encouraged young people in the nation to commit sexual offenses. The actor famous for his unique roles was charged in 2014 for his bare-all poster for PK. The poster depicted the actor posing on the train tracks while concealing his private parts with a radio transistor.

The police had filed a lawsuit against the film’s producers, Raju Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, as well as the president of the Film and Television Producer Guild, Mukesh Bhatt, and the editors and publishers of three local dailies, for publishing the poster. A prosecution under IPC sections 292 and 294 were filed against the poster after the complainant referred to it as “obscene, indecent, and unreasonable.” Unknown is the case’s present state.

2. Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar

Twinkle Khanna, an actress, along with actor Akshay Kumar stirred up some controversy in March during the 2009 fashion week. Twinkle unfastened Akshay’s jeans on the ramp during the performance to support the ‘Live Unbuttoned’ campaign of the well-known clothing manufacturer Levi’s.

After a social worker complained to Mumbai’s Vakola Police Station, an obscenity case involving the ramp show’s actors and director was opened. Abigail Rosa, the show’s secretary, was detained in connection with the investigation. Rosa had subsequently requested bail, arguing that she had been unjustly implicated in the case. She was incorrectly identified in the FIR as the show’s organizer. 

3. Milind Soman

On his 55th birthday, Milind Soman gave his admirers an image of himself running naked on a beach taken by his wife. The model was subjected to brutal harassment in addition to sparking a meme-fest online. The actor said that if his naked photo had been so offensive, Instagram would have removed it.

4. Shakti Kapoor

Of course, this list would be incomplete without Shakti Kapoor and his daring (read: embarrassing) photoshoots. The man in his earlier photographs offers a wide selection, wearing everything from a plain blue shirt to a leopard print. I’m not sure if it’s the sultry appearance, the awkward pose that is completely inappropriate for your posture, or the odd placement of the clothing, but these photographs give the impression that he has joined a cult that is orchestrating advertising photo sessions.

5. Vidya Balan

A complaint against Vidya Balan for her roles in the movie The Dirty Picture was made as well. This case was filed by practicing attorney Sai Krishna Azad of Hyderabad in the year 2011. Additionally, an FIR was filed against the actor. The complainant claimed that the film’s posters and advertisements were “obscene” and “creating discomfort to women”. He further said that the poster hoardings were “damaging society and ruining people’s minds.”

Balan was arrested under Section 294 (Obscene acts and songs) and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986. The present status of the case is unknown. The Dirty Picture, directed by Milan Luthria, was a biographical drama based on the life of Silk Smitha.

6. Poonam Pandey 

Actress Poonam Pandey and her husband Sam Bombay were detained by the authorities in 2020 as a result of a photoshoot, which footage went viral. The complaint was filed against the actor, on the grounds that she had filmed a “porn movie”.

The pair was eventually granted bail by the court on a bail bond of Rs 20,000 apiece. The court also stated that content viewed as indecent by some and creative by others cannot be used to imprison someone.

7. Pooja Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt

Bollywood director Mahesh captivated the country and received harsh criticism from fans after posing for a magazine cover that showed him and his older daughter Pooja Bhatt locking lips. It got to the point where numerous religious institutions also voiced their opposition to it. He also caught everyone’s attention when he claimed that if Pooja weren’t her daughter, he would have wanted to marry her.

8. Ranjeet

Ranjeet, a well-known villain who wanted to capitalize on the attractive bad boy stereotype, undertook this risky photo shoot. With nothing but a large pendant and the proper stance to maintain his modesty, he entirely disrobed. Plonked on a crimson bean bag, he appears at ease, smoking and staring into the camera, seducing his next woman with a devilish gaze.

9. Danny Denzongpa

This actor has long been recognized as a Bollywood villain, but the image is a far cry from his typical attire, which often consists of sharp suits, sunglasses, and sometimes a cigar. This is not the movie character who has an army of threatening minions or a royal limousine in tow. In these pictures, he appears to be a man paid to clean the pool of frogs, leaves, and other debris.

10. Aditya Pancholi

While most celebrities use a piece of fabric or clever camera angles to disguise themselves in such photos, Aditya Pancholi employed a massive cardboard sheet to do so. He looks intently into the camera, perhaps pleading with the photographer for a better prop.

No one will ever be able to understand that begging glance.

Conclusion 

These were some of the celebrities who have taken the risk to shoot photographs that have created controversies in public. They have always been met with varying degrees of praise as well as apprehension.