I had never heard of this film until I *borrowed* it from my friend Hans.
Kama Sutra is a film about Love. Not just love for your partner (lover) but for your friends, family and even yourself. Its a film that is promoted as part of the Film Four Channel (Digital- Sky or Cable).
It was directed and produced in 1996 by Mira Nair, who has also directed other films such as East Is East , Monsoon Wedding, Hysterical Blindness, Bhaji On The Beach and Salaam Bombay! As I have also seen East is East and Monsoon Wedding I can tell you a little about them also, and how they compare.
East is East , is about an Indian Family living in the Midlands and it illustrates the cultural diffences and hardships as the family struggles with its identity. an English Mum an Indian father, the 4 sons and daughter have a lot to contend with inorder to get their voices heard! Full of some heart rendering moments and hilarious tear jerking moments I would give this film a 4/5
Monsoon Wedding is about a family again examining the Indian culture. It gives you a good fly-on-the-wall perspective as to what can possibly go on at an Indian wedding. It too is a tale about Love including forbidden love.
How does Karma Sutra compare? Well it definately is a very emotional tear jerking film- quite serious, so no comedy. But its definately one of those films that you watch snuggling up to a loved one! Unlike the other two films mentioned above, Karma Sutra is full of vivacious love scenes which are very erotic although not too explicit! There are no body parts really exposed but it really isn't for anyone under the age of 18 as the adult content- really is quite adult.
The film does have subtitles- but for the hard of hearing! Its in English! Very easy to follow plot. All the characters are introduced in a memorable way so even if you see them later on, you know who they are.
Whats it about?
Like I said earlier it is about Love. Although it is called Kama Sutra and the characters do introduce some of the teachings/ basic principles of the ancient teachings of the Kama Sutra, the film is not solely based upon it.
So what happens in it?
Well the film has two main female character leads- Princess Tara (Sarita Choudhury) and Maya (Indira Varma)- the Princess' servant. Both raised together as children, the jealousy of one to the other has always been present. Maya of the Princess and her very pretty clothes and Princess Tara has been jealous of Maya's better seductive skills (dancing).
When it comes to the ceremony in which the Princess in weight is to be matched in Gold (she's getting married and the dowry has to exchanged*), Princess Tara notices her future husband (Raj Singh played by Naveen Andrews) looking at Maya. Spitting in Maya's face, Princess Tara seals her own fate, as Maya sulks off and plots her revenge.
Maya retaliates to the earlier insult of her friend Princess Tara, and sleeps with the betrothed husband. Maya was not only spotted, but she was spotted by Princess Tara's brother who adores her! What will happen next you will have to watch it to find out!
But all I can say is - Maya hints at Princess Tara, that having lived with all her used things, she (Princess Tara) will have to live with Maya's used things! Ooh it gets all bitchy in here! So watch it and you will see the magic unfold before your very eyes.
Certificate 18 years and over Screen Fullscreen 4:3 Languages English - Dolby Surround Duration 109mins
Have fun! I did!
* by the way- a dowry is money paid by the family of the man before he can marry the chosen girl! A girl also has a dowry that she goes to the new family with, such as gold jewellery, expensive clothes etc.
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How does it compare to others by the same director?
Outstanding
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