The ‘Other’ Love Story – Because Love is Universal

When we last caught up with director Roopa Rao, she was in the midst of crowdfunding for her web series, The ‘Other’ Love Story. The campaign was a success and the series is will release on August 27. Set in the nostalgic 90s, The ‘Other’ Love Story is a realistic and innocent love story between two girls, played by Shweta Gupta and Spoorthi Gumaste, that will strike a chord with any couple that has ever been in love. While the acceptance of love between the same sex is still gaining acceptance in India, here is a series which proves that no matter what the sex of the two people is, love is universal and cannot be judged. Here’s what Roopa, Shweta and Spoorti have to say about their web series.

Roopa Rao, Director

Is there a message that you wish to convey through the series? What is it that The ‘Other’ Love Story aims to achieve?

I just hope this series will somewhere make people accept love for what it is and bring them away from the place of judgement. Because I understand for all of us, what is true to us, is true to us, but that need not be what you think and hence its wrong in your head, isn’t it? There is a place for each and every one in this vast universe. So hopefully if this story at least lights up the path of openness for those who are closed and brings some representation who are looking for one, we would be glad.

I just hope this series will somewhere make people accept love for what it is and bring them away from the place of judgement

It has been rather long journey, from the conceptualization to finding producers, opting for crowdfunding and finally getting a release. As a filmmaker, what kept you going through this time?

What kept me going through internally, was that I wanted to make this happen for my own self. I don’t really like to stop half way through anything that I start, I like to see things through, may be the stubborn bull that I am (As a Taurean it’s a virtue my star sign carries) and externally, the faith that the team had in me, I didn’t want to let them down. And at a broader level, the sureness with which this story appealed to me, the story kept coming to me with such force, waiting to be out in the world, I couldn’t help but channelize for it to happen.

Shweta Gupta, Actor

Shweta Gupta

How would you describe the experience of being part of this web series which revolves around love between the same sexes?

This whole experience of being part of The ‘Other’ Love Story, which talks about same sex love has turned me from a skeptic to a believer. I always wanted to work in a romantic project, courtesy all the Yash Raj films that I grew up watching, and I did get the opportunity in this series. It indeed was a challenge to romance a girl but trust me, it looks as cute, romantic and beautiful as in those films.

Our set belonged to the 90’s era, which gave us a chance to play carrom, checkers and old style video games during our breaks, which definitely was a lot of fun. I always enjoy working in independent projects, where the schedules and budgets are tight, but the passionate individuals form a formidable team. The ‘Other’ Love Story, cast and crew, irrespective of their age, went beyond their call of duty in order to deliver this beautiful product, which was very inspiring and motivating.

It indeed was a challenge to romance a girl but trust me, it looks as cute, romantic and beautiful as in Yash Raj films

What would you like to tell viewers to encourage them to watch the series?

These days, web is becoming the new age TV, and a lot of comic, thriller and drama content is already trending, but yes, there is a void for romance, which The ‘Other’ Love Story is going to fill beautifully. So if you are already a web viewer, this is going to be very soothing and refreshing for all your eyes. We all talk about beautiful and subtle shows from the 90’s, well this is your chance to enjoy it again, in 2016.

There are loads of “Awww” moments to bring smiles on all your faces in this otherwise “hard to notice” life. Our teasers are being received very well by all of you, so just imagine what the whole series will be like! We did our bit of making a same sex love story in as normal a way as any other opposite sex love story, may be better than that! Now it’s your turn to give it a watch.

Spoorthi Gumaste, Actor

Spoorthi Gumaste

What has been your most challenging and most memorable take away from The ‘Other’ Love Story?

The most challenging for me was to play Aadya, a character so different than the real me. Initially it was  difficult to even hold my co-actor’s hand. Being straight and loving another girl on screen was the most difficult part. The experience on working with such an intense and realistic love story will always stay with me.

Being straight and loving another girl on screen was the most difficult part

In a country that is still opening up to the concept of LGBT and same sex love, what role does a series like this play?

A same sex love story is as similar to any love story. Through this series we want to show that love is universal and we don’t need to tag it.