Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

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:

Kama Sutra | India | Friend | Courtesan | Seduction

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:

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:

India

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: The bandage on Tara's wrist is missing as she extends her arm to Maya, but it reappears in the close-up of their arms in next sequence.

Quotes:

Maya: If I can't use the rules of love on the one I love, I'll use them on the ones I don't.

Soundtrack:

The Toona Song

Good Love Story / Drama

When I rented KAMA SUTRA - A Tale Of Love, I thought my girlfriend would kill me for what the title implied. We were plesantly suprised to find a Love Story / Drama which, yes, has some very sexy scenes in it. Those looking for a movie version of the ancient text will be disapointed with the reasonable use of sexual content. There is an actual storyline here! This film is about true love, and the struggle for that love in the face of adversity. The love triangle, along with enough character development to explain the relationships between the five main characters, speaks of the human condition.

The story takes place "Once upon a time...". The costumes and sets are really well done. The cinematography is richly textured, with India as the exotic backdrop, and you are transported back into time... and into the lovers' experience.

This movie can take you through a full range of emotions, see it with your significant other, and expect it to effect you for the rest of the night.