It was tough facing people in a bikini, says Rakhi

Bollywood siren Rakhi Sawant admits that despite the newfound permissiveness, it does take some getting used to for a woman to publicly expose herself. "I have no problems exposing. But it was tough when I gave my first bikini shot."

It's perhaps been the slowest striptease in all of history. Although bit by bit the woman of Indian cinema has cast off her clothes and her inhibitions, Koena Mitra claims the real revolution has bare-ly begun.

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"I think we have become more aware of sexual issues. Although we are a lot less restrictive today, I still feel the change is happening too slowly. Sex and nudity continue to be regarded as something cheap and dirty. There's still a lot of hypocrisy in our society. Sex is as normal in our lives as eating, drinking and walking and it is only when we focus more and more attention on sexual matters through our films, will it be treated that way," she says.

According to actress Maushmi Udeshi, who shows a fair amount of skin in provocative promos from , access to the Internet and quick communication tools have increased the carnal stakes in Indian films: "We are now living in a global village and all kinds of information is now available at home. Thanks to Internet, television and other modes of communication, it is now possible to know about every issue that exists in modern society. As a result, Western society and the openness enjoyed by people there is no longer alien to us. With all these changes, I do think that to a great extent nudity has become more acceptable to Indians today."

Bollywood siren Rakhi Sawant admits that despite the newfound permissiveness, it does take some getting used to for a woman to publicly expose herself. "I am a director's baby. I have no problems exposing to any extent. However when I gave my first bikini shot, it was quite tough facing the public out there.