Sept.09: Kannada film industry’s tryst with experimenting with interesting subjects has touched a new level. For the first time in south Indian cinema, a young Kannada filmmaker has dared to showcase the ‘taboo’ subject of lesbianism in his latest movie 141 amid threats from fringe groups.
The movie is all set to release on September 11 despite lack of support from the Regional Censor Board and the film fraternity.
The movie will be dubbed into Telugu and Tamil and will be released across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu on September 18. Incidentally, the movie was lying in the pipes for more than one-and-half-years, as the Regional Censor Board refused to clear it.
“Making this movie was a challenge for me. The Regional Censor Board was completely against my project. First, they refused to clear my title. Then, they did not give me the certificate contending that it was against our culture. I had to approach a revising committee to secure the clearance.
Even now, they have not permitted me to use posters extensively to promote the movie. My aim is to expose how the society and the government, who are opposed to lesbianism, which has gained acceptance elsewhere,” said director Bhavaji, who has also produced the movie.
Bhavaji made it clear that his movie did not have any ‘cheap’ content though it had been given an ‘A’ certificate. “Though the movie has been given an ‘A’ certificate for the nature of content, but there are no scenes that will make the audience uncomfortable. The movie tells the story of two women, who are in love with each other and how they have to face the wrath of the society,” he added.
Owing to the sensitive nature of the subject, the director roped in new actors for the movie – Tanya (Russian) and Kavya to form the lead pair while Farooq Khan, a Hyderabad-based actor, is also seen in a prominent role.
The director had great difficulty in filming the movie, which was shot for over 30 days in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Udupi and Hyderabad. Praveen Olivier, who worked under Oscar award winning music maestro A R Rahman, has composed the music for the movie.
“It is such an irony that this movie was ready by end of 2013 and I am permitted to release it now without any kind of publicity. Neither the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce nor the Regional Censor Board appreciated my work. I am disappointed with the lack of their support,” said the director.
Now, Bhavaji is facing a different kind of threat from fringe groups, who are of the view that the movie is against Indian culture.
