Bollywood gets bolder...

Bollywood babes are getting bolder. After TV actor Mandira Bedi made headlines for her topless shoot in fashion magazine

Vogue

India

’s January edition, it’s now Bipasha Basu who has got heads turning as the cover girl on men’s glossy

Maxim

’s latest issue. Wearing just a thin gold chain, Bips looks confident as she smiles into the camera. “It didn't feel as if we were shooting something like this. I absolutely loved it! For me, being sexy is a kind of appeal that comes from within,” the actor says.

Ever since Mandira’s picture began to garner publicity, the actor has been defending her decision on Twitter. “Its 1 picture 1 of many & not a cover.. on the inside pages. Honestly, it sounds dodgier than it is. I can’t seem to understand the hullaballoo either. Its deeply troubling(sic).”

Talking about what makes actors more comfortable with such shoots today, adman Prahlad Kakkar says it’s the influence of the West. “This is happening due to the strong influence of the western culture. Earlier, the influence was less and thus we didn’t get to see such bold shoots,” says Kakkar. Talent manager Manish Porwal points out that most actors only pose topless for magazine covers or calendars, but not in movies. “During magazine and calendar shoots there are very few people present, thus they don’t hesitate but when a film is being shot, many people are present, so they feel conscious.”

Other actors who posed topless in 2010

Priyanka Chopra for a shampoo advertisement

Ameesha Patel for a magazine cover

Mallika Sherawat for her film

Hisss

Neha Dhupia for the Go Green Calendar

Sherlyn Chopra posted naked pictures on Twitter