What does a soap-wielding grandmother have to do with sex? The connection becomes clear when Ekta Chowdhry, Miss India-Universe 2009, talks about safer sex in an advertisement created by the BBC World Service Trust.

The ad focuses on the need to spread awareness about a taboo topic and attempts to get people talking about ways in which they can protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

The ad film uses a celebrity in an interesting setting – quite a departure from the usual ‘piece to camera’ use of celebrities for public service advertisements. It aims to draw attention to the fact that being responsible and healthy go hand in hand. As Ekta says, “We shouldn’t be embarrassed about being curious. The more we talk, the more we know. And that’s really the key to being safe.”

So don’t be embarrassed – go ahead and ask that question you always wanted to ask. Your mouth will not be washed with soap!