The Cloud Door

I wasn't aware until very recently that the great Indian filmmaker Mani Kaul made an erotic film titled 'The Cloud Door' back in 1994 with the ravishing Anu Agarwal (remember Aashiqui?) in the central role of a mysterious courtesan. Within a short run time of 20 odd minutes, Mani Kaul gives a demonstration of his cinematic mastery.

Had Kaul been born in Europe he would have been hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Nonetheless, Kaul is to Indian cinema what Andrei Tarkovsky is to the Russian cinema. One cannot really think of another Indian filmmaker who succeeded in constantly reinventing the form. Some may mention Kumar Shahani but his body of work clearly pales in comparison to Kaul's formidable oeuvre which includes masterworks like Duvidha, Uski Roti, and Siddheshwari.

Coming back to 'The Cloud Door,' I encourage you all to watch it (you can find it on YouTube) but please don't hold it against me if you can't see much beyond its breathtaking images, a voluptuous woman and her naughty parrot that keeps repeating erotic verses, and a laughing fish. And because it's Mani Kaul at work, it is quite possible that the fish may be laughing at our ignorance that compels us to find purpose in a great artist's creative imagination.

P.S. It's a real pity that when Anurag Kashyap asked Mani Kaul about his films the master told him that he himself would love to watch them again if somehow Kashyap could help locate them for him.

For more on world cinema please visit my film site "A Potpourri of Vestiges".

The Cloud Door offers a glimpse into the classical erotic literature of India where desires seem to burn you and the resulting smoke consumes everything. The ever present parrot offers expert advice on sensuality, travels through the air, looms like a cloud and brings in with him lovers of his own manifestation, desires and passions. The freedom might seem like an intrusion or an expression of joy or a mere act to instill Eros in the minds of the religious. The clouds where the bird travels in not his end but a door to the invisible and even what we see, the symbolism, is misleading from the wretched Brahmin to the laughing fish. Mani Kaul has always fascinated me with his visuals; the geometry of his frames, symmetry in shots, the color palette, the way he depicts spaces as something not confined in the structures which exist around it and the lyrical feel in which words flow beside the images and you are left gasping while you try to absorb all details presented.

I watched this film in some foreign language, so I can't understand the dialogs. But, Yet I understood the film quite well. The Heroine Miss. Anu Agarwal is very beautiful and sexy in this film. I have seen her other films, But none compare to this film. She has acted really very good. Her skin complexion is bit dark. But call it a "Black Beauty".

The Story is short and simple. It's about the parrot and the princess. Earlier I thought that it was just another steamy hot movie with some sex scenes. But, When I watched it I was really shocked on seeing the locations and the script is very good. The music is traditional Classical Indian Music. The palace shown is a beauty. I don't know what to say. A really nice watch.

I have given on 8 out of 10 because the film is very short i.e. Less then 30 Mins.

But surely a worth watch it and NSFW.

Lovely in all departments. Artistic and well composed. Fabulous direction and acting. Great use of perspective and light.

Mani Kaul at his best again. Lovely Rajasthani art and architecture.

Interesting story. Beautiful medieval India/Bharat. The location of Neemrana fort and Aravalli hills is a perfect setting.

Lovely in all departments. Artistic and well composed. Fabulous direction and acting. Great use of perspective and light.

Lovely in all departments. Artistic and well composed. Fabulous direction and acting. Great use of perspective and light.

Interesting story. Beautiful medieval India/Bharat.

Mani Kaul at his best again.

The only reason I watched this movie was because Mani Kaul was associated with it. Acclaimed in the critics circles, I wanted to have a taste of his body of work. "The Cloud Door" is a technically sound product. High on stunning visuals, sound department and beautiful locales but sadly the premise is empty. Due credit is given to Bhasa & Jayasi on which "The Cloud Door" is based upon but it crystal evident that Mani Kaul has failed to translate it on the screen.

Anu Agarwal:: She was riding high on the success of mega-block buster Aashiqui, wonder what made her sign the dotted line for this movie.

Should you dare to watch it, there is nothing much to lose - the running time is 29-minutes.