Watch Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
- R
- 1996
- 1 hr 57 min
-
6.0 (11,489)
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love is a 1996 Indian-British film directed by Mira Nair, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Helena Kriel. The film is set in 16th century India and tells the story of two women who grow up together in a royal palace, but are separated by class and social norms. The film stars Naveen Andrews as the King, Sarita Choudhury as Maya, and Indira Varma as Tara.
Maya and Tara are childhood friends who are brought up together in a palace in India. While Maya is raised to be a court dancer and entertainer, Tara is destined to be a princess and marry the King. However, when Maya grows up, her beauty and dancing skills attract the attention of the King, who chooses her as his courtesan. Tara is devastated by her friend's new position, and the two become estranged.
As Maya navigates life as the King's courtesan, she becomes increasingly unhappy with her role. She longs for love and intimacy, but knows that she cannot be with the King in that way. She begins a secret affair with a sculptor named Jai, played by Naveen Andrews. Jai is of a lower caste than Maya, and their love affair is forbidden by the strict social norms of their society. Maya risks getting caught and facing severe punishment, but she is driven by her desire to be with Jai.
Meanwhile, Tara's marriage to the King is loveless and unhappy. She longs for affection and finds herself drawn to Maya's beauty and sensuality. Tara and Maya reignite their friendship, but it soon becomes clear that Tara wants more than just companionship from Maya. The lines between desire, love, and friendship become blurred, and Maya finds herself in the middle of a complicated and dangerous love triangle.
The film is named after the ancient Indian text on sexuality, the Kama Sutra. While the film contains some erotic scenes, it is more about the complex relationships between the characters and the themes of love, desire, and power. The film is beautifully shot and features stunning costumes and sets that transport the viewer to 16th century India.
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love was controversial upon its release for its frank depiction of sexuality and for the portrayal of Indian culture as being highly sexualized. However, the film was also praised for its feminist themes and for the way it challenged traditional gender roles. The film was a commercial success and helped to launch the careers of its leads, Choudhury and Varma.
Overall, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love is a sensual and provocative film that explores themes of power, desire, and love in a highly-charged and emotional way. Its lush setting and beautiful cinematography create a visually stunning backdrop for the complex and multifaceted relationships between the characters. If you are looking for a film that is both beautiful and provocative, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love is definitely worth a watch.
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.