Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1997)

Set in 16th century India, this movie depicts the story of two girls who were raised together, though they came from different social classes. Tara (Sarita Choudhury) is an upper-caste princess while Maya (Indira Varma) is her beautiful servant. The two girls are best friends, but an undercurrent of jealousy and resentment is caused by Tara's haughtiness, symbolized by the fact that Maya is given Tara's hand-me-down clothes and never anything new to wear.During filming in India, the name of the project was not revealed to government officials who would have denied the petition to film in India had it been called "Kama Sutra." Instead, it was called "Maya & Tara." Since government officials made many periodic visits to the set to ensure proper Indian film etiquette, the cast had to improvise fake scenes which avoided the nudity and sexuality central to the story. Upon completion, authorities screened the film and it was subsequently banned in India because of the erotic scenes that contained heterosexual as well as homosexual elements.What really caught my attention about this film was Naveen Andrews. At the time he made this film, he was unknown, and remained largely unknown after the film. But then he was a main character in "Lost". I wonder how many people went back to see his past work, as it would completely change the way they might see him. It is also interesting that he has been cast in roles as both an Indian and an Iraqi. (Andrews happens to be a British-born Indian.)

Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996): Dir: Mira Nair / Cast: Naveen Andrews, Sarita Choundhury, Roman Tikaram, Indira Varma, Rekha: Looks more like a documentary than a feature film and sometimes contains the feel of a porn flick. It regards the confusion between love and lust and the physical and emotional. Set in India where it follows the sexual conquests of two males towards a woman named Maya. Actually it is two sisters who are the initial competitors. One is set to marry a ruler while the other is given to his courtesan. Maya seduces the ruler in a spite of revenge and flees. She encounters a tribesman with a chisel and he carves her image as a statue. The ruler will pay him for her identity. Laced with sex, sex and more sex before arriving at a very fatal conclusion. Beautiful music and stunning set pieces with fine directing by Mira Nair. Fine cast includes Naveen Andrews as the vengeful Prince whom will never receive the love he seeks due too his pride. Sarita Choundhury is Tara, Maya's sister. Roman Tikaram is the tribesman who faces fatal consequences for his dance with erotica. Indira Varma plays Maya whom must live with her actions. Rekha plays some sort of teacher of Kama Sutra. So, basically, she is a sex education representative. It is a film about sacrifice but Kama Sutra means various acts of lovemaking. Is this film suppose to be a guide? Score: 6 / 10

The movie does not do justice to India, nor women. It feels weird to watch it, as if someone tore up random pages from the script and just filmed what was left. As for the erotic recommendations, they do not meet their match, probably those belong to people who are compelled to associate the word "Kamasutra" with sensuality and eroticism, without bothering to actually see the movie for what it is.The central character is very unclear: what are Maya's relationships with the other girl and all the women from the palace she grew up in? What is the purpose of the disturbing hunchback elderly man that seems to love her, yet ends up by calling her a whore? It is incredible how much babble about sex and love we have to sit through without any real story about either of them.overall, what is the purpose of this entire movie? The "bad" prince (N.Andrews)is more convincing than the lover/sculptor, who purposelessly waves his long hair around; somebody must have miscasted the actors... Maya is an unlikely mix of good naive girl and extremely sex driven fox, what is this bouillabaisse?? Only French movies manage to create such confusions, yet this claims to be a movie representing India.Very disappointing.The fight, the ending, the girl...they are just not making sense. As for the sexual tension, old school Bollywood movies managed to create more without even featuring any nudity.So, see it or not see it...depending on how much time you have to waste.

I have recently reviewed your movie. And I loved the way you moved your body to get that real visual effect of body motion. I think that was very amazing. I know it had to be hard work learning how to move your body the way they had you to do it. You really took the eyes of the audience with the movements. I also like the way they had the cast to dress. That was the best thing about the movie. THey used Egyptian style settings and clothing. The cast also had the voicing down perfect. YOu are my favorite actress. I really love you and hope to hear from you anytime if you are free. But keep up the good work. And maybe one day I will get the chance to meet you. Thanks