The quintessential new hot topic in town, waiting to be discussed in every relationship, the only question being asked everywhere I’ve been. Couples, both straight and gay, even those who’ve been married for a while: “Can we videotape it?”
Somewhere between swiping on apps and walking down the aisle, young men and women decided to film each other in bed, and before anyone could figure out when and how this started, it had become a norm. I don’t know a single couple who, at the very least, hasn’t considered taping themselves, if not already having done so. It’s the new pandemic — sex tapes are back in style and it won’t be long before
everyone’s changing positions to get their profiles right.
“It’s erotic to know you’re being recorded while making love. You’d be surprised how much more exciting the act gets, especially if you’ve been married or together for a while!” Sameer Dewan (name changed) is one of Bengaluru’s most celebrated start- up mavens and can always be trusted with two things — Sensex tips and straight talk. “Once you know you’re on camera, everyone’s eager to do their best!”
There’s also the appeal of revisiting the scene when you’re alone. Pleasuring yourself watching others is so last season — it’s 2022 and we’re now the stars of our own favourite videos. “We first filmed ourselves when my partner was visiting his hometown for a few weeks and I wanted to capture our last encounter before he left. I can’t tell you how useful it was while we were in different cities!” As one-half of a popular influencer couple in Delhi, Karun (name changed) definitely knows a thing or two about making relationships work in times of frequent travel.
So how does this work? Do you have the set-up in place before it’s lights, camera and action? What’s the fun in looking at lighting while getting laid? Apparently, things are being kept organic, for now.
“No one is making porn that’s going to be watched by others. It needs to be real for it to be exciting.” Charu Sehejpal (name changed) is a popular stylist in Mumbai and among her many A-lister clients is a Bollywood actor who shot to fame with a recent web series. She also happens to be dating that actor and together, they’ve amassed a rather extensive library of home videos. “I feel it’s the glue that keeps us
together — we’re both interested in filmmaking of a certain kind!”
It’s the millennial obsession with mobile phones, I’d say. The young men and women of today just can’t stay apart from their phones. No matter where they go, they’re always on the go — from the bathroom to the boardroom. Sexting while shopping, eating out and eating in. So, it wasn’t long before coitus came with a side of the camera.
“I don’t understand the hoopla around it. We’ve already embraced threesomes! In this case, there’s no third person. And every couple is free to do as they please, isn’t it?” It’s a valid point that Suhasini Sekar (name changed), a leading food journalist from Delhi, raised when we spoke about this new trend in town. She is my go-to person every time something happens because one can always count on her to give an objective
point of view. And this too involves eating, albeit of a different kind!
However, the most interesting take on all this came from a rather different age group. One of the most revered dames of Delhi’s glittering social circle; she’s seen it all and definitely done it all. And while I can’t tell you who she is, I can certainly share what she feels: “The only reason anyone should be taping themselves in bed is to take notes later. Any other reason is simply not good enough!” Aye, aye, Ma’am!
But in the age of revenge porn — as per the National Crime Records Bureau, between 2012 and 2014, such cases rose by a shocking 104 percent — one can’t help but wonder if all these sex tapes are consensual?
Obviously, no one is going to come out and admit to taping their sexcapades without their partner’s consent, so we’ll just have to hope the young are being careful, while they’re busy being experimental. A few white lies aside, there’s nothing fun in being on camera when you don’t even know it!
Who Am I?
Think of me as someone who knows the minds, hearts and bedrooms of the young Indian today. I have a social life across cities that allows me access to coveted parties, people and positions (pun absolutely intended!). Through this column, I aim to keep you abreast of how the young people of India go about their personal lives. I promise to keep it honest and to-the-point. No judgements, no prudishness.
