"The Film Is About Love And Eroticism"

What is Kamsutra about?

It's about a time when sex was part of the banal in India. When Eros was part of the ethos. To me the hollow of a tree anointed with vermilion, adorned with flowers is as erotic as a woman's naked body.The film's about a time when this everyday sensuousness was all-pervasive.

How would you describe your film?

As an opulent Salaam Bombay. It's as real. Parts of it are so Guru Dutt in inspiration. The scene where Indira (who plays Maya), dressed in a white saree with a red border wipes off her bindi after the execution of her lover, and walks off from the jostling crowds into the distance, is for me a very Kagaz ke Phool image.

Why call it Kamasutra? It's a love story, isn't it?

With a difference. It's about love and eroticism that's in the spirit of poets of the sensual like Bihari and Jayadeva. When Kama was a way of life. Not the pop sex game it's depicted as in masala movies today. The Kamasutra , a treatise on love, is integral to this film.

Your inspiration for the film?

A chance remark by my friend Aman Nath who took me to the Sanskriti Museum. "Enough, Mira," he said while showing me around this museum that houses workday objects, utensils, of great beauty. "Why not do a film that communicates the message of beauty behind all this?" A subsequent visit to Neemrana Fort—alive with peacocks, ambient, romantic—was equally moving. That was the first impulse for Kamasutra.

What was the production design inspired by?

By pre-Mughal, pristine India. That's why the choice of elemental rock and water and sand and sculptural locales, in tune with my vision of the natural forces I wanted to depict. Also, the costumes were intended to present a glorious textile tradition.

What was working with Rekha like?

This one incident would reveal what a wonderful professional she is. In one scene I thought she was over madeup. Her character is very Zen. Her beauty, to my mind was fresh flowers, dark hair, earth colours, Jamini Roy face. I explained that. Without a word she agreed, removed all the makeup and gave a wonderful shot.

Do you expect problems with Indian censors?

I hope the film is viewed in the spirit in which it's been made. This is a celebration of, a homage to India. I would hate it to be seen as a sex film for this is a film about the many-splendoured faces of love.