Gupta vs Gordon

There is a saying in India-when a girl marries she becomes a bride, a bride becomes a mother, a mother becomes a mother-in-law and a mother-in-law becomes a nuisance. The hate-hate relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law is home-truth on which the film industry has seldom failed to capitalise. Westerners do not understand why or how the two cows always lock horns but the urge to portray the drawing room and kitchen fights in every movie is contagious. Jitendra Pal and his charming wife Promila have intricately woven comedy and frustration in 'Gupta Vs Gordon,' an English film shot entirely in the sylvan surroundings of Hawk's Bay. This is a movie that has every appeal that you can think of-emotional, humorous and even tragic. In less than two hours, you go through the world of Shanti (deftly played by Kokila Krishna) whose disapproval of everything western transcends to her daughter-in-law Jackie (a startling performance by Kate Conaglen). As the two measure noses, a number of others parade through the frames-Zena (Emma Brown), Lisa (Kristy Whitchelo), Tuku (Andrew Burch), Barry (Michael Rewiri), Kishori (Chintamani Rath), Chetan (Monish Anand), Arti (Kanwal Singh), Rohan (Ajay Shri), Bruce (John Clark) and Singh (Jit). There is of course Promila who appears as a waitress and street walker and Tinker (Zara), the dog. Jit and Promila (the orthopedic and ophthalmologic surgeon couple) have given vent to their proclivities to the celluloid with a passion for human vicissitudes. It would be presumptuous and unfair to narrate the story in three lines-for, 'Gupta Vs Gordon' should be viewed in its entirety. You would have to face questions such as 'Do they teach Kama Sutra in Indian colleges?' or watch the seductive advances of Lisa towards Chetan (little did she know that the tiger was waiting!), wonder if every other snorting kiwi is a beneficiary of the government welfare machinery and go through dejavu with Mr Singh, complete with his persistent accent and noisy sip of tea. Jit and Lucy White who have written the story and scripted it, do not give Shanti away until the last scene, so why should I! If you had not spared a good thought for the cantankerous mother-in-law, you will not forgive yourself in the end. Jackie could not. According to the credits, Anand-Milind composed the music and had used the voices of Udit Narayan and Sadhna Sargam. I missed them.

I have heard a lot of interesting reviews and comments about this movie. I am still waiting to see it. Can anyone tell me where can I buy the DVD of Gupta v Gordon. Thanks. I was told last year its going to be screened in Christchurch. Please email me. I am really really keen to see this one. I have heard they are making a new cross cultural kiwi Indian movie. Does anyone know what is it called? I am a great fan of cross cultural movies and have traveled to many places including India. I might be misusing this space, but could'nt find anything about where to buy the DVD. so bear with me. Another thing which I found funny is why our comments have to be in 10 lines? I have been trying to post this message but every time it returns back saying that comment should be at least 10 lines long.

This movie was so engrossing that I was able to look beyond its occasional technical shortcomings.I loved the brilliant dialogues and the way Indian Kiwi interactions were portrayed. The music was haunting and the humor superb.What else can one ask for?

Tackles some relevant issues openly and honestly within the framework of an overall feel-good movie, resulting in a fresh believable social drama.Good depiction of chaotic diverse Modern India ranging from a very conventional mother-in-law to an outgoing womanizer son from California. You will be on the edge of your seat as you enjoy each and every moment. All of it was amazing!

So, don't be scared of the foreigness--- it really isn't an issue. The movie is done so well, and the humanity and inspiration is so full, and so natural that you may actually leave the theater thinking you already know a bunch of Kiwis, "whites" and Indians!

A delicious slice of bicultural life in New Zealand - Hindu and Kiwi served up in this bright rainbow coloured feast of talent, and filmed in the wine country environment of Hawke's Bay, with glimpses of Kiwi city life in the two neighbouring cities of Napier and Hastings.

The story revolves around the various cultural differences between the cultures and the individuals, and while the serious matters of those differences are exposed and examined, by realistic attitudes and responsibilities of those individuals, a sense of humour is imbued throughout.

The Kiwis are introduced to various Hindu social conventions such as `mother in law rules' and the visiting Hindus are introduced to outspoken children, and risque barbecue parties with scantily-clad young females pool-frolicking.

The beautifully written music for this film gave a wistful but sweet and enchanting background to the film, gently introducing Hindi music to those unfamiliar with a typical Hindi movie, which uses more song and dance than scripted conversation to tell the story.

So impressed was this cinemagoer that the theme song of GVG is sung frequently around the house (in Hindi of course !) and is ready for the Karaoke...

The stars themselves shone brightly with the producers Promila and Jit taking cameo roles.

Somewhat reminiscent of smoky Bombay harbour (sigh) Napier seaside near the harbour was the scene for a bi-cultural ceremony for the baby. The ceremony was conducted picnic-style to the initial disdain of the Indian mother-in-law; however union of the two cultures was well on its way and strengthened as the ceremony was moderated by both Hindu pandit and Kiwi priest. Rituals and prayers were respectfully observed and carried out with warmth and solemnity. Once the formalities were completed, the picnic continued with all family members skipping and dancing with carefree abandon along the sands.

The film showed both cultures mixing at all levels - the teenagers having a little illicit fun between themselves with cigarettes and alcohol, daughter in law and mother in law going through complex and countless attempts to reach understanding, and the father and father in law discussing world politics.

A very pleasant surprise was seeing Chintamani Rath, acclaimed musician, play a major character in the movie. Having been privileged to hear this fine gentlemen and his ensemble in live performance, it can rightly be said that his warmth of presence and acting ability is equally as profound and excellent as his music.

To experience a myriad of familiar emotions, love, disdain, sadness, happiness, witness an amazingly colourful spectacle, as well as become familiar with some incredible intercultural interaction, you need only to

see Gupta vs Gordon, and you will come away with a feeling of total awe, excitement, and a much lightened heart.