- Film Review
- Reviewed By Brian Pendreigh
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3 out of 5
An unlikely concoction of Indian cuisine and issues of ethnic and sexual diversity is served up in this Glasgow-set comedy that's as light as a soufflé. Nina (Shelley Conn), a young Scottish-Asian woman, returns home for the funeral of her father, with whom she fell out over her last-minute refusal to marry the son of his rival restaurateur Raj (Art Malik) and unite the city's two great curry houses. She soon forms a close bond with Lisa (Laura Fraser), who is now part-owner of the family restaurant, and the pair compete in a prestigious cooking competition against Nina's former fiancé Sanjay (Raji James). With its many diverse elements and subplots - including Nina's friendship with a cross-dressing Glaswegian/Bollywood choreographer - director Pratibha Parmar's film seems determined to challenge expectations and stereotypes at every turn. Yet the basic philosophy of this inoffensive tale - "follow your heart", no matter which unlikely direction it takes - will probably appeal to the same audience that made Billy Elliot and Bend It like Beckham into major hits.
Plot Summary
Comedy starring Shelley Conn, Laura Fraser and Art Malik. Returning to Glasgow for her restaurateur father's funeral, Scottish Asian Nina Shah discovers that half of the business has been lost to a gambling debt. Rather than sell up, she decides to fulfil her father's ambition and win The Best of The West curry competition in his memory.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lisa
- Laura Fraser
- Nina Shah
- Shelley Conn
- Raj Khanna
- Art Malik
- Bobbi
- Ronny Jhutti
- Suman Shah
- Veena Sood
- Kary Shah
- Atta Yaqub
- Sanjay Khanna
- Raji James
- Priya Shah
- Zoe Henretty
- Auntie Mamie
- Elaine C Smith
- Auntie Tumi
- Rita Wolf
Crew
- Director
- Pratibha Parmar
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