The magazine’s editors had to navigate a fine line, arguing that their pictorials were "art" or representations of the female form in good taste, rather than "obscenity." The constant police raids and court cases surrounding the magazine highlighted the tension between the Indian state's desire to control public morality and the rising tide of liberalization in the 1990s. The Debonair model became the inadvertent frontline soldier in the war for freedom of expression in India.
: The magazine was best known for its topless centerfolds, which were a radical departure from the conservative media environment of the 70s and 80s. These "blow-ups" were highly sought after by readers and collectors alike. Debonair Magazine India Models
For aspiring models, landing a Debonair spread is a rite of passage. The process is notoriously selective: The magazine’s editors had to navigate a fine