Kaama

''Kaama'' () is a 1999 Indian drama film co-written and directed by Ashok Kumar. Simultaneously made in three languages, the film stars newcomers Vishal, Sunila and Urvashi, while Deepti Bhatnagar, Asha Mehra and Alphonsa make guest appearances. The film was titled as ''Kaama'' in Tamil, ''Kama'' in Telugu and ''Kaama Tantra'' (, see also tantra) in Hindi. The music for the film was composed by Adithyan and the film opened across India in September 1999.

Cast

*Vishal
*Sunila
*Urvashi
*Deepti Bhatnagar
*Asha Mehra
* Alphonsa
*Satya Prakash
*Bala Singh as Venkatagiri
*Suriyan as Panneerselvam
*Parivallal as Devaraj
*Kaushal as Navananda Swamy
*S. V. Ramadoss as a judge
* K. R. Vatsala as a rich lady
*Idichapuli Selvaraj as a constable

Production

After making films with sexual content including '' Kamagni'' (1987) and ''Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil'' (1989), Ashok Kumar chose to make a further film on the same theme as he felt that one "cannot sell the film unless it has got some sensuality". Titled ''Kaama'', the film's director cast his son, Vishal, in the leading role with actresses Sunila and Urvashi also selected. Debutant Asha Mehra also signed to star in the film, while the script was co-written by writer Randor Guy. Production began in August 1998 and the shoot of the film was completed in six months in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu simultaneously. Production began with a week-long schedule in Chennai depicting the lead actress's house, then a song featuring the lead three actors and forty dancers was shot at Mahabalipuram. Actress Deepti Bhatnagar also shot for an item number in the film, featuring in a song involving the use of props such as honey, milk, rosewater and mud of sandalwood. A further song with Shweta Menon at Hogenakkal Falls was planned but later not shot.

Before the release of the film, the project garnered significant media attention due to its sexual content. The theatrical distribution rights was sold out across the country, with particular popularity in Tamil Nadu, where its business was compared to that of the Rajinikanth-starrer ''Padayappa'' (1999). The publicity prompted producer Jagadeswara Reddy to add the title ''Kaama'' before his name, and be subsequently referred to in the media as "Kaama" Jagadeswara Reddy. The producer also announced another project titled ''Kaamini'' featuring Shilpa Shetty in February 1999, but the film was never made.

Release

The film failed to gain clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification in March 1999 due to its erotic content. In an interview to Rediff.com, Ashok Kumar stated his anger at the Board's decision to label it "a perverted, pornographic film" and questioned their aesthetic, creative and cinematic sense. He added that it was unfair that the Board were trying to taint his image as a respected filmmaker with such accusations. The film later had a low-profile, limited release in September 1999.

Ashok Kumar later chose to relaunch his son, Vishal, through another film with a similar theme titled ''Khajuraho'' (2002) featuring him alongside actresses Mamta Kulkarni and Saadhika.

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 3715280

1999 films
1990s Tamil-language films
1990s Telugu-language films
1990s Hindi-language films
Indian erotic drama films
Indian multilingual films
1990s erotic drama films
1999 multilingual films