The Guru

Jimi Mistry (of East is East and Eastenders fame) stars in this enjoyably daft tale of achievement in the new world. Heather Graham as a porn star and a couple of cameo appearances from Sanjeev Bhaskar (The Kumars) are good enough reason to want to watch this film anyway. So, let's see...

Ramu Gupta (Mistry) travels to New York to seek his fortune as an actor and unsuspectingly auditions to become a porn star opposite Sharonna (Graham). Mistry is an absolute star and this is one of the film's greatest moments. Sharonna teaches him everything he needs to know and he is soon using his new found expertise when called to stand in for a respected guru at a party, though his gospel of advanced sexual practices catches everyone a little by surprise.

Catching the eye of Lexi (Tomei), one of the guests at the party, Ramu feels the need to maintain his new identity. Returning repeatedly to Sharonna for more advice, he eventually falls for her instead. The ensuing love triangle is a situation full of humour and the director has done well to extract every last drop of it.

This film is ideally placed to tap into the current interest in Indian film making (despite being a UK film), and did reasonably well in the shadow of the big summer releases. The half spoof half serious Bollywood style dance scenes are among the film's best moments.

It's silly, as silly as a Carry-On film, but (in comparison with all but the best of that series) a lot funnier and fresher. If you're looking for a film with Indian or Pakistani influences that has substance as well as humour then this is not for you: try East is East or Monsoon Wedding. The Guru feels more westernised and commercial than either of those. But if you have a sense of humour - and are prepared to use it - then this film will leave you with a smile wide enough to put the top of your head in danger.

Ka Masutra