Bhabhi to Barbie

Has your social media platform been flooded with images of a 40-something star wife who has been holidaying in the South of France? Images that are meant to show off her newly sculpted bikini body (she is a mommy of two), her freshly ironed glistening skin and curious poses in the pool where her hair is perfectly blow dried all the time? And have you, like me, wondered, why there seem to be too many of her kind around these days? You know, the housewife turned hot social-media star who is anxious to let the world know how she is always having the time of her life even when she is peeling potatoes?

At malls, multiplexes, clubs, pools, gyms, parks and airport lounges, in changing rooms, loos, restaurants and every other public place, it is impossible to miss the new and fiercely aggressive breed of ladies who have turned into social media sirens overnight.

Pouting, preening, sticking out their hips, showing off the many advantages of an underwired pushup bra, they put the millennials to shame. Sometimes it is just a screechy nail colour, hair colour or a dress two sizes too small.

At others it is a bag, a new pair of heels or just an arm candy. There is no running away from the marauding army of the ladies, who will grab every public place and spot of good light and turn it into a sexy selfie zone, effectively stopping traffic in its tracks.

I think there may be a deeper trigger behind The Aunty’s obsession with broadcasting her newfound sexuality. For decades, the homemaker has been in the shadows. She has rarely been appreciated, rarely enjoyed the spotlight. Rarely had a chance to unleash her inner Sridevi.

And once again, Bollywood’s comeback stars and star wives have been fantastic role models for hundreds of women, who are only too happy to shed their sarees and shapeless kurtis for more adventurous dressing for movie and pani puri dates with girlfriends. And yes, the pouts and the bust-thrust are a perfect embodiment of their hard-won liberty. Which could also explain why these potentially explosive pictures with “I-am-too-sexy-for-my-maxidress’ looks on Chunnu, Munnu, Dia, Riya, and Kia’s mommies are best circulated on WhatsApp. Away from Chunnu-Munnu-ke-papa and his hawk-eyed mother.

(Scribbler, scribe, traveller Chandrima Pal takes you through the sexual landscape of today)

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