LESBIAN FILM TO BE SCREENED IN INDIA
(11 March 2008)

Producer-director Manan Katohora is in talks with UTV Motion Pictures to distribute his cross-cultural film When Kiran Met Karen in India. Built on a budget of $150,000, the film is ready for release and targets the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) market globally along with the South Asian audience worldwide. Set in New York City, When Kiran Met Karen tells of the love story between a Bollywood actress and a struggling journalist.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Katohora said, "We are talking to different distributors for different markets. We are talking to UTV to distribute When Kiran Met Karen in India and they have showed a lot of interest." The film, which will be releasing in India in summer 2008, would initially penetrate into the metros before reaching out to the smaller markets. It will first be released in the LGBT market, and then open up in the South Asian market.

"We have approached Eros International to distribute the film in the South Asian market and they have given us a positive response, though the deal is still to be finalised," added Manan. "Since the subject matter is too bold, bonding of two women... Kiran - a bollywood actress and Karen - an American journalist... it can create controversies in India. But fundamentalist groups have to wake up and accept facts," stated Manan.