Love in the Time of Politics

Politics is a dangerous terrain – and so is love. But what happens when the two come together?

In the world of film, the chances are you'll get a romantic comedy. This is what happens in William Dear's latest movie – "Politics of Love " – which releases this summer in India and in the U.S.

Todd Oren/Wire Image

Indian actor Mallika Sherawat, center, with a group of waiters dressed as Barack Obama at the film's cocktail party at Nikki Beach La Terrasse.

In "Politics of Love," Mr. Dear – known for films like the Walt Disney baseball flick "Angels in the Outfield" and "Wild America," a movie about three nature-loving brothers – looks at love in times of elections.

In an emailed interview with India Real Time, Mr. Dear said the global buzz that surrounded the elections provided an "amazing opportunity" for a film and that he was thrilled to be "able to tell a comedic love story set between the rivalry of America's two political parties."

The film, which was originally titled "Love, Barack,"  takes place around the 2008 U.S. presidential elections, during which a Democrat and a Republican fall in love.

The film follows Kyle Franklin, played by Brian White, an African-American Republican, as he falls in love with Aretha Gupta, a volunteer in Barack Obama's electoral campaign, played by Indian actress Mallika Sherawat.

"The election of Barack Obama had been a cleansing event for most Americans, throwing out the regime of fear [...]

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