Electric Moon (1992)
A sharp satirical comedy written by Arundhati Roy, skewering Western fantasies of India from the heart of a jungle lodge.
Electric Moon - Movie Information
- Original Title: Electric Moon
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Pradip Krishen
- Type: Movie
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 4, 1992 (United Kingdom)
- Production Companies: Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Electric Moon - Plot
Set in an expensive tourist lodge in the forests of central India run by former royalty, Raja Ran Bikram Singh, 'Bubbles', the film is a satirical parody on Westerners visiting India, in search for their stereotypical notions of the country, replete with images of former Indian royalty, and relics of the British Raj. In turn the film was a commentary on social pretense and ecology.
Electric Moon - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Pradip Krishen
Main Cast
- Roshan Seth
- Alice Spivak
- Frances Helm
- James Fleet
- Gareth Forwood
- Malcolm Jamieson
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Leela Naidu
- Gerson Da Cunha
- Raghubir Yadav
Writers
- Arundhati Roy
Producers
- Bobby Bedi
Electric Moon - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Electric Moon?
Electric Moon features Roshan Seth, Naseeruddin Shah, Leela Naidu, Gerson Da Cunha, Raghubir Yadav, Alice Spivak, Frances Helm, James Fleet, Gareth Forwood, and Malcolm Jamieson. The ensemble cast blends Indian and Western actors to reflect the film's cross-cultural satirical premise.
What is Electric Moon about?
Electric Moon is a satirical comedy set at a lavish jungle lodge in central India run by former royalty. It lampoons Western tourists who arrive chasing romanticised, clichéd visions of India — maharajas, tiger hunts, and Raj nostalgia — while also commenting on social pretense and environmental concerns.
Who wrote the screenplay for Electric Moon?
Electric Moon was written by Arundhati Roy, who would later win the Booker Prize for her debut novel The God of Small Things in 1997. Electric Moon represents one of her early forays into screenwriting, showcasing her sharp wit and keen social observation years before her literary fame.
Who directed Electric Moon?
Electric Moon was directed by Pradip Krishen, an Indian filmmaker and environmentalist. Krishen is known for his work in Indian cinema and his later dedication to ecological conservation, which aligns with the film's underlying commentary on nature and the environment.
When was Electric Moon released?
Electric Moon was released on December 4, 1992, in the United Kingdom. The film was produced by Kaleidoscope Entertainment and represents a notable collaboration between Indian and Western creative talent during the early 1990s.
Is Electric Moon based on a true story?
Electric Moon is not based on a specific true story. It is an original satirical work, though it draws on real cultural dynamics — the legacy of the British Raj, post-independence Indian aristocracy, and the phenomenon of Western tourists projecting romanticised fantasies onto India — to craft its pointed social commentary.
What themes does Electric Moon explore?
Electric Moon explores cultural tourism, postcolonial identity, and the clash between Western fantasy and Indian reality. It satirises the nostalgia for the British Raj, the commodification of Indian heritage, and social pretense. An ecological thread also runs through the narrative, reflecting concern for India's natural environments.
What language is Electric Moon in?
Electric Moon is primarily in English, reflecting its satirical focus on Western visitors to India and the colonial linguistic legacy that shapes their interactions with the country. This choice reinforces the film's postcolonial themes and makes its critique of Western attitudes directly accessible to international audiences.
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