Lit with Lust: Of India and erotica

Love in India,an hour-and-a-half long film,documents the personal journey of Q and his girlfriend Rii,as they explore the meaning of love and sex,sifting for emotion amid the hypocrisy that surrounds many relationships. Some bear the social stamp of approval,but most others attract censure. “India came up with Kamasutra but are,ironically,very sexually repressed. This is the irony that the film talks about,” says Q.

The narrative takes off from mythological love stories of Radha and Krishna,challenging them for various reasons,and moves on to interviews with “regular” people across the country. “We turned the camera on our relatives and friends as well as random strangers,asking them about love,lust and longing,and social norms attached to these,” he explains. And true to Q’s trademark,the film has several intimate scenes between him and Rii.

How does he feel about the National Award? “Intensely funny,” he responds with a laugh,“Now there is a pressure to be legit.” Love in India has been shown in 14 countries and will be released on DVD next month.