Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)

Director:

Mira Nair

Writers:

Helena Kriel (written by) &
Mira Nair (written by) ...

Release Date:

28 February 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

In a world ruled by pleasure, love is the ultimate seduction.

Plot:

Two girlhood friends become sexual rivals at maturity.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | India | Kama Sutra | Seduction | Courtesan

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Indira Varma	...	Maya
Sarita Choudhury	...	Tara, the Queen
Naveen Andrews	...	Raj Singh
Rekha	...	Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra
Khalid Tyabji	...	Biki
Arundhati Rao	...	Annabi
Surabhi Bhansali	...	Young Maya
Garima Dhup	...	Young Tara
Pearl Padamsee	...	Maham Anga
Kusum Haidar	...	Dilki
Harish Patel	...	Doctor Mani
Ranjit Chowdhry	...	Babu
Achala Sachdev	...	Rupa
Arjun Sajnani	...	Bashir
Avijit Dutt	...	Vazir, the King's Prime Minister

Also Known As:

Kama Sutra - Die Kunst der Liebe (Germany)
Tara and Maya (India: English title) (fake working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong erotic sequences, nudity and some violence.

Runtime:

117 min | Germany:114 min | UK:114 min | USA:114 min

Country:

UK | India | USA | Germany | Japan

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (cable rating) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | India:(Banned) | Mexico:C | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R (cut) | USA:Unrated (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

When Indian authorities eventually became aware of the content of the film during shooting, the producers and the director were forced to bribe them as "protection money" to avoid prosecution.

Goofs:

Continuity: Seconds after Maya is shown praying by standing in the river, her skirt is perfectly dry and clean.

Quotes:

The King: One day you are your father's property. One day you are your husband's property. It must be difficult.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in American Desi (2001)

Soundtrack:

Ulfat Ki Nai Manzil Ko

Excellent movie and supreme eye candy...

I've watched this film over and over again and it just gets better. It's actually based on a book called "Hand-Me-Downs" which you'll understand after you've watched it. As the last person who commented on this stated it's not the "Kama Sutra" you're thinking of. There IS sex, there IS a bit of violence, but don't watch this with the hopes of seeing your average vulgar action and sex film. The women in the film are instructed and shown how to the master the art of Kama Sutra, mind you the ART not the positions. Anyway, the film setting is gorgeous and the acting is superb. You'll recognize Sarita Choudhury as Tara if you've already watched Mississippi Massala. Indira Varma does an excellent job in expressing her revenge, regret, and mystery in Tara's character. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE did an excellent job in this film.