Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)

Two female friends become sexual rivals at maturity.

Director:

Mira Nair

Writers:

Helena Kriel, Mira Nair

Stars:

Naveen Andrews, Sarita Choudhury, Indira Varma

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Indira Varma	...	Maya
Sarita Choudhury	...	Tara, the Queen
Ramon Tikaram	...	Jai Kumar
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 (as Achla Sachdev)
Achla Sachdev	...	Rupa

Storyline

Tara and Maya are two inseparable friends in India. Their tastes, habits, and hobbies are the same. Years later, the two have matured, but have maintained their friendship. Tara gets married to the local prince, Raj Singh, who soon succeeds the throne as the sole heir. After the marriage, Raj gets bored of Tara and starts seeking another female to satisfy his sexual needs. He notices Maya and is instantly attracted to her. He has her included as one of his courtesans, and is intimate with her. Watch what happens when Tara finds out and the extent she will go to keep her marriage intact.

---

Plot Keywords:

seduction | underwater photography | massage | folk dancing | spitting on someone | 

---

Taglines:

Passion. Pleasure. Power.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Romance

---

Certificate:

R16

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first film of Indira Varma who played the role of Maya.

---

Goofs

The story of this film is set in the sixteenth century. Young Maya is running through red chili pepper drying in the sun on the palace grounds. Chillies didn't reach Indian cuisine until the seventeenth century.

---

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.

---

Alternate Versions

The US theatrical version was cut to receive an R rating. The uncut version, rated NC-17, was released on video unrated.

---

Connections

Referenced in American Desi (2001)

---

Soundtracks

The Toona Song
Written by Madan Gopal Singh
Performed by Shubha Mudgal

User Reviews

I watched it again and again

This film was wonderfully told to me. The characters where great, the location was magical, and the whole film just left me with a great feeling. I love Indira Varma, she is so beautiful and such a talented actress. The role of Queen Tara portrayed by Sarita Choudhury deserves mention also. I would recommend to anyone with an open mind. Though I was very young when I first watched it, it is for the more mature audience.

Details

Country:

USA India UK Japan Germany

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

28 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kama Sutra

Filming Locations:

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,499, 2 March 1997

Gross USA:

$4,109,095

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,109,095

Company Credits

Production Co:

NDF International, Pony Canyon, Pandora Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min 109 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1