Kama Sutra: a Tale of Love [DVD] [1997]

Yet again, Film Four has produced something wonderful - deeply moving and every camera shot is a work of art. Indira Varma as Maya is one of the most beatiful women I have ever seen, naive but so sensual, in a way that doesn't seem acted. And Ramon Tikaram is perfect (of course) as the persecuted lover or Maya, put to death by the king for daring to love his favourite courtesan. The pace of the film is a little slow, but I think that is part of the charm. It doesn't shove the sex scenes in your face or try to make itself overtly sexy. The soundtrack is wonderfully fitted to the film and haunts you long afterwards. Overall, it's just beautiful. A real triumph that should be viewed and loved by all.

This is a lushy lavish, sensuously beautiful film, superlatively directed by Mira Nair, a world class director noted for such other cinematic masterpieces as "Salaam Bombay", "Mississippi Masala", and the more recent art house feature, "Monsoon Wedding". As are her other films, "Kama Sutra" is an intelligent and mesmerizing story, peppered with excellent performances by a stellar cast.

Set in sixteenth century India, this is the story of Maya (Indira Varma), a servant girl and companion to Tara (Sarita Choudry), a Maharani destined to be Queen to a Raj. Childhood friends, they are to become palace rivals as the fates pit them one against the other, only to have them both become casualties of love. Maya, tired of being treated as a second class citizen and of receiving Tara's castoff clothing, makes a life defining decision on the eve of Tara's marriage to Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews). Sensing that the Raj desires her, Maya gives herself to him, later telling Tara that it is she who now has a cast off from Maya.

After Tara departs with her husband, Maya's perfidy is revealed to the household by Tara's huntchbacked brother, who, coveting Maya for himself, had spied upon her and saw her in flagrante delicto with the Raj. Ousted by Tara's outraged family, Maya leaves to make her way in the world. She comes across a sculptor, Jai Kumar (Ramon Tikarum), of Raj Singh's royal household and falls in love with him. Unfortunately, timing is everything. By the time Jai realizes that he, too, is in love with her, it is too late, as Maya is now the favorite courtesan of the by now debauched Raj, who is obsessed with her and cannot seem to get her out of his system, much to the dimay of Tara, as well as Jai.

Trained in the arts of love by the graceful and beautiful Rasa Devi (Rekha), Maya, as a royal courtesan, is a sensuous, beautiful sylph. Tara, now the Queen, is insanely jealous of her husband's desire for Maya, but must tolerate it, as must Jai, as it is a culturally accepted way of life. Unfortunately, when the Raj discovers that Maya and Jai are still in love, all hell breaks loose, and the piper must be paid.

This is a wonderful film of a woman's journey to find herself within culturally imposed constraints. It is a tale of the vicissitudes of life that leave imprints on one's journey. Told in the context of carnal love and desire, it also tells of a love sublime. This is essentially a woman's film, sensuous and erotic in its imagery, a veritable sumptuous feast for the senses. While there is some nudity in the film, it is tastefully and beautifully filmed, as well as highly erotic.

Indira Varma, in what is her screen debut, is sensational as the entrancing Maya, imbuing her with an impishness, as well as with a sinuous and provocative sensuality. Sarita Choudry, of "Mississippi Masala" fame, is excellent as the beautiful and exotic Tara, who appears to be relegated to a life of frigidity and jealousy. Rekha, the well known and exquisitely beautiful Indian actress, is hypnotic as Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra. Naveen Andrews gives a good performance as the debauched Raj, and Ramon Tikarum is compelling as the conflicted artist. They both, however, take a backseat to the women in the film.

Filmed on location in India, this is a film that should be watched for its sheer beauty. Bravo!

Mira Nair's "Kama Sutra" takes place in 16th century India where a princess Tara (Sarita Choudhury) is arranged to marry a prince Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews) who is a great womanizer. Her childhood friend, a servant girl Maya (Indira Varma) who have lived all her life in the princess' shadow, used her used things and suffered her bullying, looses her patience and decides to revenge Tara by giving herself to the prince Raj Singh on the night of their wedding. However Tara's brother witnessed the scene and Maya is forced to shamefully leave her home forever.

Titled as "Kama Sutra" it isn't a sex film although it's nature is very erotic. The Director Mira Nair on her interview on the DVD is mentioning India not seeming to be the same country where "Kama Sutra" was born and where sexuality is hidden behind veils. The whole story of "Kama Sutra" is a story of true bold love, embodied in a person of a woman - the main character Maya and her ability to say a firm NO to others and "create her own destiny" at any price. "Kama Sutra's" moral is probably "be loyal to yourself no matter what" and "true love lasts forever". I loved Maya's character and Indira Varma's performance (all the other actors were brilliant too) was great. The atmosphere of the film was very special - no any usual clichés. We can also feel it being very feminine, where women dominate more than men - that is the other thing about this film that made it different. It is more of a story from a woman's point of view and the aspects that interest them more. I doubt it could be described as an historical movie only because the story is about the 16th century India but there are some clues that could lead into a historical research for anyone interested. The scenery and photography of the film are amazing and it's a beautiful film after all, nice to watch but isn't the "happy ending" film. So if you want to get lost in the 16th India and witness a story of real love, watch Mira Nair's "Kama Sutra" cause it's a fantastic film worth rating 10 stars.