The Guru (2002)

A young man leaves India to find fame and fortune in America where he unexpectedly becomes a sex guru.

Director:

Daisy von Scherler Mayer

Writer:

Tracey Jackson

Stars:

Jimi Mistry, Heather Graham, Marisa Tomei

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jimi Mistry	...	Ramu Gupta
Heather Graham	...	Sharonna
Marisa Tomei	...	Lexi
Michael McKean	...	Dwain
Dash Mihok	...	Rusty McGee
Emil Marwa	...	Vijay Rao
Christine Baranski	...	Chantal
Ronald Guttman	...	Edwin
Malachy McCourt	...	Father Flanagan
Ajay Naidu	...	Sanjay
Anita Gillette	...	Mrs. McGee
Pat McNamara	...	Mr. McGee
Dwight Ewell	...	Peaches
Parul Shah	...	Indian Princess in Movie
Omar Rahim	...	Indian Prince in Movie

Storyline

South Asian Ramu Gupta has always been fascinated with western movie musicals and has wanted to be an American movie star primarily as a dancer. So when he hears from his friend Vijay Rao about his fabulous life in Manhattan with a penthouse apartment and Mercedes, Ramu decides to move from his home in Delhi to the US to live with Vijay as he pursues his dream of being a star. Upon his arrival in Manhattan, Ramu learns that Vijay's life is nothing like he mentioned, he driving a cab and living in a run down cramped top floor apartment with two fellow South Asian roommates, Ramu who would be the fourth in the apartment. Ramu nonetheless just wants a chance to prove himself in the entertainment business. Among Ramu's many missteps include stumbling into the porn movie business where he can't get it up in such a setting anyway, and working as a waiter at least to earn some money. But it is a wait job at a private South Asian themed birthday party for a lost and directionless socialite ...

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | porn star | erotica | panties | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about finding the American dream in the most unexpected way.

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content including dialogue, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

There were no sets built at all. The entire movie was shot on location.

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Goofs

Vijay tells Lexi she smells like a Bombay hooker. Bombay has been known as Mumbai since 1995.

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Quotes

Ramu Gupta: You need to do your own thing. Live your own life.
[walks away angrily]
Lexi: I'm going to meditate on that.

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Connections

Features Grease (1978)

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Soundtracks

I'm Gonna Fly
Written by Calanit Ledani (as Ledani) / Darryl Zero (as Zero) / Jeeve / Kevin Colbert (as Colbert) / Becky Baeling (as Bealing) / Tony Moran (as Moran)
Performed by Becky Baeling (as Becky Bealing)
Courtesy of Universal Records

User Reviews

The Guru of fun

There isn't one moment during "The Guru" that we don't know exactly where it's going. Surprise is not a factor in its plotting. Surprise however is a factor in how infectiously good-natured it is. Even its cheeky little swipes at the porn industry are done in pretty good taste (and are probably the funniest aspect). It's almost like the template of romantic comedies has been strictly adhered to, which has freed cast and writer up to just have a good time. And they do. Jimi Mistry is an engaging presence as the Indian destined for something other than waiting than tables, and Heather Graham is very comfortable and a nice sunny presence as the porn star he falls in love with. Lurking in the background, and doing their utmost to steal the show, are Michael McKean as a sleazy porn director, and Christine Baranski as an uptight society hostess. But it's the film's own infectious glee at its blatant silliness is what wins the day here - especially in the song and dance numbers. They may be a tribute to Bollywood movies but when a traditional routine segues into "You're the One That I Want" from "Grease", it's a show-stopping moment.

Details

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English Hindi

Release Date:

14 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Guru of Sex

Filming Locations:

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$613,485, 2 February 2003

Gross USA:

$3,095,506

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,128,852

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1