In order to film in India, the production had to use a fake title "Tara and Maya." Indian authorities would not have permitted the film to be made there had they known its true title and content.
When Indian authorities eventually became aware of the content of the film during shooting, the producers and the director were forced to bribe them as "protection money" to avoid prosecution.
The movie was banned in India and Pakistan because of the erotic scenes.
During filming in India, government officials made visits to the set and the cast had to improvise fake scenes which avoided the nudity and sexuality that was critical to the plot.
Sarita Choudhury talked about performing her nude scenes in this film during a 2004 interview. "I was lucky to have a female director who was tasteful. Actual nudity in the film was less than its sensuality. Mira is very good at creating images that can get confused for nudity. I only believe in doing a nude scene when I trust the director. Usually up to the day before I am convinced I will say 'no' because my heart is full of fear. When I see French movies, I realise how normal it is for other cultures."