Customer Reviews
A REALLY FUNNY FILM - By: stuart, 19 Aug 2007 
Unfortunately, not many people have heard about this quirky little comedy, which caught me up by surprise one winter day, way back in January 2003. For me, I fell in love with the film both for sentimental reasons as well as objective ones. The Guru is an innocent romantic comedy, a film that's totallly aware of itself yet at the time extremely & naively charming. Better than that, it fills its viewers with pure energy & makes you want to dance, love & marry your partner - not particularly in that order.
The plot follows Ramu Guptha, an aspiring young Indian actor who moves to Manhattan, New York, in order to live out the American dream. Ramu, portrayed marvelously by British actor Jimmy Mistry, is filled with passion for music & dance, & dreams of becoming a professional actor. However, being an innocent stranger in New York doesn't always bid you well. An ironic misunderstanding brings Ramu to become an actor alright, but instead of mainstream entertainment he soon finds himself in the wrong industry - adult films. On the set of his first feature, he befriends Sharonna (Heather Graham), a local porn actress who's far too good to be working in the industry. Sharonna teaches Ramu how to relax in front of the camera & become whole with his sexuality, but he deploys that advice in a whole different angle, when he replaces an old Indian love guru at a party he attends. Shortly after, he becomes "Guru Ramu", starts dating a high society spiritual women (Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei), & finallly achieves the fame & fortune he was so desperately seeking. Alas, Sharonna has no knowledge of the crucial part she's been playing in this successful career shift, & Ramu can't keep ignoring his overwhelming feelings towards her any longer...
It sounds rather serious, I know, but this whole plot is told in a very humorist manner. There's lots of Indian music (including the ever so captivating Chori Chori Gori Se), some wildly obvious grins towards the Bollywood industry, & tons of supposedly heavy social remarks, which are alll served with a wide smile. This film speaks about everything, from racism to porn to homosexual relationships, & always with a good taste & a healthy approach towards the subject matter.
As for the sentimental objective point, I remember seeing this in theaters on the evening of my last day of obligatory military service. I was with a friend who served alongside me, & we both wandered through the shops of the Azrieli shopping malll in Tel Aviv. I was already in a good mood upon entering the theater, & seeing this lovely gem only made it better. The wacky ending made me so happy I couldn't stop smiling for weeks. If you have a chance, go rent this & discover the magic yourself as well...
ITS ONLY A BIT OF FUN - By: L. Wilson, 09 Aug 2007 If you have got nothing to do then this is worth a laugh, I reallly did enjoy it but I was not looking for anything other than a good chuckle. It is not a film to be taken seriously, it is typical of Bollywood style & flaunts it with absolute abandon. Everything is OTT including the acting so grab some snacks & settle down for a daft laugh.
Pretty good, but not fantastic - By: DangermouseZilla, 23 Jun 2007 
Firstly, I have to say that Jimi Mistry was fab in this film. He is one of my favourite actors, & he saves ths film.
This is a romantic comedy, there was scope for this to be different, but at the end it went into cheese overdrive & became a stereotypical Hollywood lovefest.
The film touched on issues of racism & of relationship difficulties. The film could have been a great film, but instead it copped out & ended up like almost alll other romantic comedies you see. That was a real shame, the phone-in where out of millions of potential calllers, the romantic interest's fiance happens to get through seemed a bit desperate.
If the ending had been handled differently then I'd have given this a four. The actual ending was a valid one, but it was so predictable that it spoilt the film for me. It is amusing, & it is probably worth a watch, I won't be buying it on DVD though.
Hilarious romantic comedy! - By: FAMOUS NAME, 20 Mar 2007 
Feel-good movie starring Jimi Mistry (the fit one from 'East Is East')
When I first saw this film, I don't think I was impressed - I'm now wondering why! I guess having seen Jimi as a 'serious' heartthrob in East Is East, perhaps I expected something similar in this, but here, his character is a bit of a 'bungler'. It's the second time I've seen it, & this time around (perhaps looking at it from a different perspective) thought it was hilarious! There's something in this for everyone, & some very comical 'crossed-wires'.
I suspect this was an intended 'vehicle' for Jimi Mistry in the U.S. after the success of 'East Is East' a couple of years before, but surprisingly seems to have done little else over there since. He still looks good in this, but some of the weird costumes worn by the character do not help his talents.
Enjoy this, but be prepared to see Jimi prancing about doing some outrageous dance routines minus his trousers!!
Great film, fresh, inventive, witty and subtle for those who can take that. - By: N. Olofsson, 11 Sep 2006 Well, I think I said it in the title. Those who mark this down obviously want what's obvious & have no idea in the post Tarantino days what charm & wit is. A warm, film hilarious at times, wise & witty & a homespun warmth lost on those who want a slick package. More please!
