Preview : Rang Rasiya
Director: Ketan Mehta
Cast: Nandana Sen, Randeep Hooda, Paresh Rawal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Darshan Jariwala
India – end of the 19th century. The famous artist Raja Ravi Varma is arrested and charged with obscenity, immorality and hurting religious sentiments of the people. His offence – painting nudes of Indian mythological characters. A court session begins… Woven with the case is the classic love story of the artist and his muse – Sugandha. Together they create the most amazing works of art. Her beauty inspires him to create exquisite paintings based on themes from Indian mythology and classic literature. She becomes his muse, his inspiration…his love. The film is a fascinating tale of Raja Ravi Varma's passions, his obsessions and his fierce struggle for creative freedom.
Cast: Nandana Sen, Randeep Hooda, Paresh Rawal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Darshan Jariwala
India – end of the 19th century. The famous artist Raja Ravi Varma is arrested and charged with obscenity, immorality and hurting religious sentiments of the people. His offence – painting nudes of Indian mythological characters. A court session begins… Woven with the case is the classic love story of the artist and his muse – Sugandha. Together they create the most amazing works of art. Her beauty inspires him to create exquisite paintings based on themes from Indian mythology and classic literature. She becomes his muse, his inspiration…his love. The film is a fascinating tale of Raja Ravi Varma's passions, his obsessions and his fierce struggle for creative freedom.
The great painter's fame and popularity became the very cause for a grave crisis in his life. Some of his paintings, especially a series depicting characters from Indian Mythology in the nude form invited the wrath of the conservative Hindus. He was accused of obscenity and offending public morality. A case was instigated against him and tried in a court presided over by a British judge Justice Richards. He fought the case to defend artistic freedom and won … but at what cost?
This universal question of 'freedom of expression', coupled with Varma's checkered but controversial life, his passion to reach his art to the common man, his bonding with a German printer to achieve his goal and his stormy yet poignant, inspiring and passionate relationship with his love and muse Sugandha makes compelling narrative and provides rich tapestry for an exciting film.