Konstantin Bojanov’s India-set film The Shameless is an unwavering tale of forbidden love set within the local brothel culture, filled with religious turmoil and the hope of escaping a life of prostitution.
Perhaps one of the riskiest entries in the Un Certain Regard this year, not just for its provocative premise and theme but also for its international collaboration—with a Swiss producer and a Bulgarian director—Konstantin Bojanov’s The Shameless moves to South Asia to tell the story of a lesbian love affair in an Indian brothel where religious prejudice poses a constant threat. In this narrative, we follow a Muslim woman, Anasuya Sengupta, in New Delhi’s brothel, who, after accidentally killing a client, seeks refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India. She adopts the name Renuka, after a Hindu goddess, to avoid detection by the police. In an area rife with discrimination against Muslims, Renuka meets 17-year-old Devika (Omara Shetty), from a renowned Hindu family, but with a secret: her family still practices the illegal devadasi tradition, where her virginity is sold to the highest bidder by her mother. Destined for a life of prostitution in different ways, the two women fall in love and must find a way to escape their bleak futures.
Visually bold and enchanting, Bojanov uses strong colors to enhance the film’s character, rendering it more as a gripping thriller than a sweet romance. Light blue, often from street lighting, suggests the resilience and toughness of the main character, while the pale orange hues from the lamps in Devika’s house hint at her vulnerability to her mother. The dazzling red tones add a mysterious element to the film, which becomes clear as the story unfolds.
Anasuya Sengupta is terrific as Renuka, delivering a fearless and sensational debut performance that will likely stand out as one of the most memorable at Cannes this year. Her co-star Omara Shetty shines as she navigates her character’s transformation throughout the film. Meanwhile, Bollywood superstars Mita Vashisht, who plays Devika’s grandmother, and Auroshikha Dey, as Devika’s mother, are equally mesmerizing. However, Bojanov’s storyline offers nothing particularly new, and there are parts that could have been edited out. Still, with a standout lead performance, visually striking cinematography, and a powerful narrative about resistance against oppressive traditions, The Shameless will keep you engaged until the end.
The Shameless is a co-production between Akka Films Switzerland (A Thousand Fires, Under the Fig Trees), Urban Factory France, Klas Film Bulgaria, House on Fire Taiwan, and TPHQ India. Urban Sales is handling its international distribution.
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