|ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
» October 2008
He's the man behind the camera, the brain behind the scripts, and the vision behind the works of art.
Manan Singh Katohora, although an engineer by profession, chose to pursue his passion of film making some years ago. Although it is always a blind step into the unknown when one ventures into the fickle world of showbiz, Manan has made quite an identity for himself through his provocative and progressive body of work.
Manan's directorial debut in 2005 with the film Arya was only a sample of what was yet to come. His script was powerful and thought-proving. Most importantly, it wasn't your typical cross-cultural flick. In fact, it was a story that no one had ever heard before.
After much backlash from the conservatives in the South Asian community, Manan Katohora is now finally set to release his intense cross-cultural lesbian drama, When Kiran Met Karen. It is a love story between a Caucasian journalist and a popular Bollywood actress who must come to terms with her own sexuality.
Manan's subsequent project, Extrospection, starring the renowned Purva Bedi, also focuses on South Asian lesbianism, but in a light that it has never been viewed in before. In this film, Manan explores the scenario of a mother coming out with her sexuality to her daughter.
Although his stories all carry a distinct flavor of their own, it is undeniable that Manan pays great attention to the role of women in all of his works. They are all bold, unconventional, and unforgettable characters. They suffer from societal pressures and stigmas, yet display immense strength and sensuality. BILLO decided it was about time to delve into the mind of Manan Katohora:
What prompted you to explore women's sexuality in WKMK?
My best friend from college. She is lesbian, but no one knew. She didn't come out till five years after her marriage, but she had started sharing her frustration with me and her friends of feeling trapped in a straight marriage. Finally, she came out to her parents, her in-laws, her husband, and the world. She shared everything and it was very liberating.
"I was sick and tired of seeing all South-Asian actresses playing the same 'nice girlfriend, but little confused' role in most cross cultural movies."
Was it difficult establishing the relationship between homosexuality and the South Asian community? Did you do some fieldwork or any kind of research when mapping all the character roles?
Yes, I spoke to some souls of the LGBT South-Asian community. The important aspect WKMK talks about is how the film industry perceives actors who come out. Kiran is a famous Bollywood actress playing stereotypical straight romantic roles - can she take the risk of coming out in her fraternity?
Your previous project Arya was a film revolving around a male protagonist, but the antagonist in the story was a female, when it could have easily been a male. Shetal Shah's role also won a SAMA award for her performance in the film. Why did you choose to write the antagonist in the story as a female rather than a male?
Arya was Shetal's first film, and she did a great job with Maya/Shilpa's character. I was sick and tired of seeing all South-Asian actresses playing the same "nice girlfriend, but little confused" role in most cross cultural movies.
Arya is about Raj Singh, played by Samrat Chakrabarti, who is surrounded by three strong females. Because that's the world I live in - all the females in my life and my house are bold, honest, strong, and they have their own voice - it reflects in my films.
How do you think the role would have been different if the antagonist was a male?
Hmm... good question. It wouldn't change much. I don't believe our sexuality/gender has anything to do with our Karma and our legacy.
"Anti-women? How can anyone call my films anti-women?"
Your forthcoming project, Extrospection, is also centered on heavily conflicted female characters. Tell us more about them.
Extrospection is probably my strongest screenplay so far.
For two years when I was trying to raise funds for When Kiran Met Karen, I watched a lot of gay/lesbian films from around the world. And then one day, I just wondered – they are all about teenagers and young people coming out to their families and the world, but WHAT ABOUT A PARENT – especially a SOUTH-ASIAN parent coming out to her/his son or daughter?
Borrowing the central plot from Tagore/Satyajit-Ray’s famous novel/movie Charulata – set in the modern age of laptops, text messages and the fear of global warming – I wrote this story about a mom and daughter reaching out to help each other under their strange circumstances.
I was fortunate to get two brilliant actors - Susham Bedi and Purva Bedi - for these main roles. And more than that, the fact that they are mom and daughter in real life as well. The chemistry and pain is so real and touching and beautiful. The 30 minute film also has strong performances by Margret Avery, Tirlok Malik, Sonny Suri and Tushar Unadkat. I hope this film will start some debates and healthy dialogues because such things are rarely discussed in our world, especially when it concerns our parents.
The female characters in each of your films have arguably been taboo characters - one being an unladylike villain, another exploring lesbianism, and the third in the middle of a moral dilemma. All of these characters ultimately show immense power and confidence, but do you sometime fear that people might perceive you or your films as anti-women?
Anti-women? How can anyone call my films anti-women? If a Bollywood actress comes out, how is that anti-anything?
You have to see these films to understand what's really happening. They all have twists.
WKMK is screening in Florida, DC, Maryland in October 2008, and screening abroad in Switzerland and here in Chicago in November 2008.
"This is show business. You never know!"
So, what fascinates you so much about women that they make the cut as lead characters in most of your films?
Hmm.. Maybe there's a lesbian trapped in my body! Just Kidding.
To quote David Lynch, "All my movies are about strange worlds that you can't go into unless you build them and film them. That's what's so important about film to me. I just like going into strange worlds."
Any inside scoop on some upcoming projects?
I have few scripts I am working on now.
Will You Marry My Mom? is my first broad, commercial, clean, sweet, witty, cross cultural romantic drama for all age groups - told from the perspective of a 8 year old daughter.
Then I have a Hindi language script for Bollywood, titled 36 Ghante.
I also have a completed script, Sex Lies and Desis - another bold, raw sexual drama.
There are lot of scripts, so let's see which one takes off first.
This is show business. You never know!
To quote David Lynch again, "The beginning dictates the direction and you never know where you're going to go... the mood is what you're looking for, and somehow we always find it".
With his exceptional vision, Manan has established himself as a pioneer within the world of South Asian cinema, and has proven himself as an advocate for women. He has a passion for striking up controversial debates and seems to be on a mission to bring forth that which is unrecognized or dismissed. Be sure to check out When Kiran Met Karen and Extrospection, and keep checking back with BILLO for all the latest news on Manan's upcoming projects.
- Ruchika Bhalla
Big ups to Manan for writing such controversial films that are not only interesting, but very entertaining. It is about time the Indian film industry makes an effort to touch on topics so "taboo" in the South Asian community. Mad Love.
-Ro
Posted by: Rohit | October 18, 2008 at 02:03 PM
I think its impressive for someone to venture out of the norm that bollywood cinema has instilled. Society there and everywhere in the world is so constantly changing that the film industry needs to portray it properly without worrying about what used to be 'proper.' Its argued as controversial, but I see it portraying what reality is much more like.
Posted by: Meh | October 18, 2008 at 05:33 PM
We need more people like manan singh katohora in bollywood. Im tired of them (mumbai) defining new and innovative as a love story set in the future with robots, no love, and actors that can't act (Love Story 2050). We need more mainstream lesbian flicks in India!
Posted by: True Blue | October 23, 2008 at 12:55 AM
ohh and did i mention that women rule the world (in 2050) what a terrible movie!
Posted by: True Blue | October 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM
women WILL rule the world by 2050 ;)
Posted by: ruby | October 23, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Beautiful...: )
Posted by: Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka | February 11, 2009 at 07:11 PM
Manan Singh Katohora has done wonderful job and all our best wishes are with him.
Posted by: Deepsi | April 28, 2009 at 08:52 PM