- Title: USA: DIRECTOR MIRA NAIR SPEAKS ABOUT HER NEW FILM 'KAMA SUTRA'
- Date: 17th April 1996
- Summary: (RTV ) NAIR SAYING THE FILM IS ALSO AS MUCH A sTORY ABOUT THE ODYSSEY OF MAY, THE CENTRAL CHARACTER, HOW SHE COMES OF AGE, NOT JUST IN A SMALL WAY BUT IN A LARGE WAY OF BECOMING A FULLER PERSON AS A RESULT OF THE TRIBULATIONS AND THE LOVE THAT SHE HAS EXPERIENCED
- Embargoed: 2nd May 1996 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA96SQGTZ6Y87L4CH2WAVZGWG92
- Story Text: Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay, Mississipi Masala and the Perez Family) takes us on yet another journey to her homeland with her new movie, Kama Sutra.
Using the fourth century Hindu text as its guide, the film delves into the themes of love and sex.
"My film is inspired directly and obliquely by this text," Nair said, "but it's much more a film about sexual politics between men and women rather than sexual positions simply." 16th century Indian court life provides a sensual and opulent backdrop to a story about friendship and rivalry between two women. Tara (Sarita Choudhury) plays a princess and Maya (Indira Varma) is a palace servant brought up together but destined for different roles in the rigid court hierarchy. Tara wears fine silks and jewels and is initiated in the etiquette of courtly Harem life while Maya wears her friend's cast-offs and is aware of her inferior social status.
But as the girls grow up another difference becomes apparent; Maya possesses an intense sensuality and poise that sets her apart from Tara who is insolent and egotistical.
When Tara's wedding is set the rivalry between the two is unleashed. On the eve of Tara's nuptials to the king Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews), the servant girl who wants to defy her fate, seduces the groom. Her treachery is discovered and she is banished from the palace to wander the kingdom.
Maya attracts the attention of court sculptor Jai (Ramon Tikaram) who takes her to the home of a Kama Sutra guru, but not before he falls in love with her. Maya is initiated in the art of lovemaking but also learns the lessons of true love.
The plot takes her back to Tara's Harem as the Raj's favorite concubine and all the characters end up in an emotional and erotic chess game where the master-servant relationship is turned upside down.
Kama Sutra was shot on location in India, in Jaipur,the capitol of Rajasthan and in the Rajgarh Fortress. During shooting the actors practised yoga as part of their rehearsal regimen and learnt classical Indian dance.
Nair co-wrote the cript with South African playwright Helena Kriel. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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