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Intimacy Coordinators
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Bollywood has undergone a significant transformation in how intimate scenes are handled on set.
Intimacy coordinators, professionals who choreograph these moments while prioritizing actor safety, consent, and comfort, have become indispensable.
These experts not only ensure a respectful environment but also enhance the authenticity of storytelling.
Drawing from industry insights and recent developments as of November 2025, this blog post explores some of the most prominent intimacy coordinators shaping Indian cinema.
Their work spans films, OTT platforms, and theater, fostering a culture of trust and creativity.
Aastha Khanna Bhardwaj: India’s First Intimacy Trailblazer
Aastha Khanna Bhardwaj is celebrated as India’s pioneering intimacy coordinator, a title she earned through her groundbreaking efforts to introduce structured protocols for intimate scenes.
With a background in assistant directing, she founded The Intimacy Lab and The Intimacy Collective, organizations dedicated to promoting consent culture, sex-positivity, and performer safety.
Her approach emphasizes clear communication, boundary-setting, and collaboration with directors to balance artistic vision with the actor’s well-being.
Notable projects include Gehraiyaan (featuring Deepika Padukone), Cobalt Blue, Murder Mubarak, Penthouse, The Actress, Elite India (Netflix), and Four More Shots Please!.
She has been vocal about her experiences, including collaborations with stars like Emraan Hashmi in recent productions.
Aastha’s work has been pivotal in normalizing intimacy coordination in high-profile Bollywood and OTT content, making her a go-to expert for ensuring safe and authentic portrayals.
Neha Vyas: The Consent Forward Innovator
Neha Vyas (also known as Neha Vyaso) is another key figure, recognized as one of Bollywood’s earliest intimacy directors.
Trained with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) in New York, the only Indian professional with that specific certification at the time, she brings a unique blend of acting, theater, and communications expertise to her role.
She founded Brave Spaces Inculcated, an initiative promoting queer feminist narratives, and focuses on trauma-aware practices, workshops for boundaries, and tools like intimacy kits and rehearsal aids.
Her portfolio includes Gehraiyaan (emphasizing emotional intimacy), Kohrra, Scoop (handling sensitive scenes like a prison strip search), and collaborations with directors such as Hansal Mehta, Nikhil Advani, and Rohan Sippy.
Neha describes intimacy as a “skill” that requires coaching to help actors shed inhibitions, making her contributions essential in post-#MeToo productions.
Dar Gai: Blending Filmmaking With Intimacy Expertise
Dar Gai, a Ukrainian-Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and director, has expanded her creative talents into intimacy coordination, offering a director’s perspective to choreograph scenes while ensuring comfort and authenticity.
Known for films like Namdev Bhau and acclaimed shorts, she led the intimacy team on Gehraiyaan, working alongside Aastha and Neha to manage complex sequences involving stars like Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi.
Dar emphasizes how the #MeToo movement highlighted compromised trust on sets, advocating for practices that rebuild it through rehearsals and technique.
Her multifaceted background allows her to integrate aesthetics with safety, making her a rising star in this niche.
Ronisha Nenshad Karbhari: Advocating For Equitable Narratives
Emerging as a vocal advocate, Ronisha Nenshad Karbhari challenges the male gaze in Hindi cinema’s intimacy portrayals.
Affiliated with The Intimacy Lab, she pushes for more inclusive and equitable representations, highlighting the need for coordinators to evolve industry standards.
While her project credits are less extensively documented, her discussions on shifting narratives underscore her growing influence in fostering diverse storytelling.
International Influences And The Evolving Landscape
The field is not limited to local talent; international coordinators like Amanda Cutting from Hollywood have collaborated on Indian projects, such as MX Player’s Mastram, importing global best practices.
Films like Gehraiyaan have set benchmarks, and meta-portrayals, such as Emraan Hashmi playing a fictional intimacy coach in Aryan Khan’s The Bastards of Bollywood, have spotlighted the role further.
As Bollywood continues to prioritize ethical filmmaking, these intimacy coordinators are more than specialists; they are catalysts for change.
Their efforts ensure that stories of love and vulnerability are told with respect, paving the way for a safer, more innovative industry.
Stay tuned as this role gains even more prominence in the years ahead.
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