It's said that Vikram Gandhi "impersonated" in Indian guru for this documentary but it seems like the deception he carried out was limited to speaking with an Indian accent rather than his own New Jersey one, wearing robes, and growing his hair and beard -- external elements that his disciples interpret in ways that vastly change their interpretations of the actual content of what he says.
The film starts as a sort of practical expose of false gurus, and it never loses its power in that way -- these people are all very easily led to thinking they have had profound metaphysical experiences after speaking with a complete skeptic who merely looks and sounds like he could provide them with a metaphysical experience -- and who is telling them he's an illusion the whole time.
If that's immoral at all, it's far less immoral than what is done by the countless "actual" gurus who seriously present supernatural claims and use them as a way into people's checkbooks.
A key to the success of this film is Gandhi's performance in his "role" -- giving Kumare an innocence through his reactions and style of movement that endears him to the disciples while they are convinced of his wisdom. Without that their striking reactions could not have been captured. And it is remarkable when he realizes that he can make deeper connections with people and enjoy life more when he is playing Kumare than when he is not.
There is an attempt to show that despite the earthly nature of his teachings, the students' lives have actually improved after their instruction with Kumare/Vikram. I'm not certain how I feel about that, but it's not a scientific claim, and amounts to saying that an admittedly-fake guru can help people as much or more than a supposedly- real one, and that they most needed to be told that they didn't need a guru. And that's fair.
This is a fascinating experiment and a worthwhile documentary.
The film starts as a sort of practical expose of false gurus, and it never loses its power in that way -- these people are all very easily led to thinking they have had profound metaphysical experiences after speaking with a complete skeptic who merely looks and sounds like he could provide them with a metaphysical experience -- and who is telling them he's an illusion the whole time.
If that's immoral at all, it's far less immoral than what is done by the countless "actual" gurus who seriously present supernatural claims and use them as a way into people's checkbooks.
A key to the success of this film is Gandhi's performance in his "role" -- giving Kumare an innocence through his reactions and style of movement that endears him to the disciples while they are convinced of his wisdom. Without that their striking reactions could not have been captured. And it is remarkable when he realizes that he can make deeper connections with people and enjoy life more when he is playing Kumare than when he is not.
There is an attempt to show that despite the earthly nature of his teachings, the students' lives have actually improved after their instruction with Kumare/Vikram. I'm not certain how I feel about that, but it's not a scientific claim, and amounts to saying that an admittedly-fake guru can help people as much or more than a supposedly- real one, and that they most needed to be told that they didn't need a guru. And that's fair.
This is a fascinating experiment and a worthwhile documentary.