Watch Loins of Punjab Presents
- NR
- 2007
- 1 hr 28 min
-
7.1 (801)
Loins of Punjab Presents is a 2007 comedy-drama directed by Manish Acharya. The film takes place in New Jersey, where a group of contestants of Indian descent gather for a singing competition called 'Desi Idol' organized by a wealthy Indian businessman, Mr. Patel (Darshan Jariwala). The winner will take home a grand prize of $25,000, which is a substantial amount of money for most of the participants.
The diverse group of contestants include a wannabe rapper who goes by the name 'Turbanotorious B.D.G.,' a young couple who sing romantic duets together, a classical dancer, a college student who sings fusion music and an arrogant diva who sees herself as the next big thing in Bollywood. The beauty of this film is not only in its characters, but also in the fact that they're portrayed as human rather than clichés.
Apart from the contestants, each with their own backstory and quirks, the audience is also introduced to the judges. There are three judges making up the panel. The first judge, Vikram Tejwani (Ajay Naidu), is a white American who has an infatuation with Indian culture.He is also the manager of his wife, Rrita Kapoor (Seema Rahmani), who is the second judge. Kapoor is an Indian-American pop singer who is attempting to revive her struggling music career. The third judge is Sania Rahman (Ayesha Dharker), a former Desi Idol winner who is the only one taking her judging duties seriously.
We also get to know a few characters outside the competition. One of them is Opama Menon (Shabana Azmi), a judge of Indian cooking competitions, who is also the mistress of Mr. Patel. She adds a touch of drama to the story by her interaction with Mr. Patel's wife, who is unaware of their affair. There is also a love story brewing between two unlikely characters that adds a charming element to the movie.
The music and moments of performance are a highlight of the film. The catchy tunes and unique styles of singing will have the audience tapping their feet and applauding. Legendary Bollywood composer, composer Shankar Mahadevan provided music for the film. The film includes a diverse range of songs, full of color and life which reflects the Indian-American story itself.
The film's humour draws from a variety of sources, from cultural stereotypes to subtle one-liners, never crossing the line to cruel, rather more tongue-in-cheek. The characters are both sympathetic and absurd -- a mix that navigates the story from drama to comedy.
Ultimately, the film is a love letter to the culture and people of Indian-Americans. It is a fresh and exciting take on what it means to be both Indian and American, and how that influences the lives of those with a shared background. The movie explores the struggle to keep one's own culture alive in a foreign country, as well as the ignorance faced by the immigrants in a different society.
In conclusion, Loins of Punjab Presents is a must-watch for anyone looking for a lighthearted comedy-drama with moments of social commentary, beautiful music, and unforgettable characters. It's a film that will leave the audience both entertained and happily satisfied. So if you want to dive into the world of Desi Idol, then grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show.
Loins of Punjab Presents is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.