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Today's Special

  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
6.8K
YOUR RATING
Madhur Jaffrey, Aasif Mandvi, Harish Patel, Naseeruddin Shah, and Jess Weixler in Today's Special (2009)
Trailer for Today's Special
Play trailer2:23
1 Video
19 Photos
Comedy

In this super-feel-good foodie comedy, young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.In this super-feel-good foodie comedy, young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.In this super-feel-good foodie comedy, young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.

  • Director
    • David Kaplan
  • Writers
    • Aasif Mandvi
    • Jonathan Bines
  • Stars
    • Aarti Mann
    • Kevin Breznahan
    • Gregory Korostishevsky
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    6.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Aasif Mandvi
      • Jonathan Bines
    • Stars
      • Aarti Mann
      • Kevin Breznahan
      • Gregory Korostishevsky
    • 28User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Today's Special
    Trailer 2:23
    Today's Special

    Photos18

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    + 15
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    Top Cast38

    Edit
    Aarti Mann
    Aarti Mann
    • Henna
    • (as Aarti Majmudar)
    Kevin Breznahan
    Kevin Breznahan
    • Freddie
    Gregory Korostishevsky
    • Andrei
    Amir Arison
    Amir Arison
    • Dr. Semaan
    Dean Winters
    Dean Winters
    • Steve
    Kevin Corrigan
    Kevin Corrigan
    • Stanton
    Aasif Mandvi
    Aasif Mandvi
    • Samir
    Jess Weixler
    Jess Weixler
    • Carrie
    Ajay Naidu
    Ajay Naidu
    • Munnamia
    Naseeruddin Shah
    Naseeruddin Shah
    • Akbar
    Kumar Pallana
    Kumar Pallana
    • Regular #2
    Angela Lewis
    Angela Lewis
    • Woman Looking at Menu
    Harish Patel
    Harish Patel
    • Hakim
    Ranjit Chowdhry
    Ranjit Chowdhry
    • Regular #1
    Chloe Brooks
    Chloe Brooks
    • Woman #2
    • (as Chloe Cmarada)
    Madhur Jaffrey
    Madhur Jaffrey
    • Farrida
    Erica Peeples
    • Waitress
    Sylvia Kauders
    Sylvia Kauders
    • Restaurant Patron
    • Director
      • David Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Aasif Mandvi
      • Jonathan Bines
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    6.66.8K
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    Featured reviews

    6mosquitocyn

    Watchable fun comedy

    This is an enjoyable light and fun comedy to watch. Nothing too deep. It has cliches, a bit cheesy at moments but still very watchable with good laughs. The cast is pretty good and music is catchy.
    9kathik

    Delightful ethnic comedy!

    The excellent comedic talent, Aasif Mandvi, plays a lovable character named Samir in a very funny comedy about Samir's life in New York. He works as a sous chef in a nice restaurant with the hope of becoming a full chef in his boss's newly opening restaurant. When that position fails to materialize for him, Samir quits in a huff and decides to move to Paris for an unpaid position with a famous chef there.

    Not too surprisingly, it turns out he needs to stay in New York because of a family crisis (I won't say what) and Samir's help is needed with the family business. A thoroughly delightful story follows that is full of heart and full of humor, for a totally enjoyable experience! Highly recommended!
    10jayzdude

    Wow great movie... left me smiling =)

    Saw this movie floating around on netflix. I was really bored one night and decided to check out the movie. I was glad I did, its one of those movies that just leaves you in a better mood than when you started: a feel good movie! The acting is good with really likable characters especially the cab driver/cook whose character I just love. I never really was a fan of The Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi. Didn't like the humor or anything too much but he is great in this movie and can actually act. Now fair warning, I liked this movie a lot in part due to my ability to relate/understand the culture behind the story (I am an Indian college student in the USA) and also love the old school Hindi songs in it (hooked me into the movie). The movie is also typical in some of its approach and formula, it isn't anything new or groundbreaking. But nonetheless it is very enjoyable and isn't just restricted to brown people lol. This movie is easy to relate to if you are a first generation foreigner (of any country IMO). It just enhances the movie experience. I'll definitely will be showing this movie to my friends. The movie fits a nice category of movies that isn't very abundant: a great light drama, semi romantic, light comedy. Another movie I would include in that category would be Morning Glory with Rachel McAdams.

    Bottomline: give this movie a chance and watch it, you won't be disappointed!

    Extra awesomeness--- Dennis Duffy (30 Rock) is in it (for a bit)! Love me some 30 Rock
    9charlotte-pierce33

    Good film, great fun

    This is a really cute little film that will leave you feeling great, as well as hungry! All of the food looks awesome, and I like the way that they talk about it with such passion. Perfect film for chilling at home with some Indian takeout.

    Aasif Mundvi is of course awesome as the caustic sarcastic Senior Muslim Correspondent on the Daily Show, but he shows a different side to his acting as the determined but troubled Samir. Naseeruddin Shah is brilliant as the taxi driver/chef. I loved his references to this crazy life that he has lead, and the way he really demonstrates passion and skill at cooking. Madhur jaffrey was a nice surprise as well. I have only seen her on the cover of cookbooks and jars of sauce, I didn't realize she could act as well! The story is simple but well told. You really feel for Aasif, and this is what carries the film along. Definitely recommend buying it on DVD when it comes out Jan 24th.
    9sribulusu

    Evoked a gastronomic delight in Indian cuisine...inspiring with a peculiar sense of humor

    Rating and review:***** A great movie for the weekend. Funny and also will definitely stir your appetite or may even motivate the Chef hiding within you to get into the kitchen if you are a foodie !! I enjoyed and chuckled with the idiosyncratic behavior of the characters in the movie. It well depicted, with humor the generation gap of ethnic Indians raised in the West. No one else could have fit into the role Naseeruddin Shah played. cheers ! I wish more movies of this genre are made. I love the concept of blending into the Western culture while preserving the roots of ones own as show in this movie. That makes people more interesting. Enough of monotonous meat and potatoes I say !!

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Madhur Jaffrey, who plays Samir's mother, is a celebrated expert in Indian cuisine and the author of many cookbooks.
    • Quotes

      Akbar: Eating with utensils is like making love through an interpreter.

    • Connections
      References Aasha (1957)
    • Soundtracks
      The Grocery Store
      Written by Siddhartha Khosla

      Performed by Goldspot

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 11, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • 7 to the Palace
    • Filming locations
      • 74-14 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York, USA(Tandoori Palace Restaurant)
    • Production companies
      • Inimitable Pictures
      • Sweet180
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $317,831
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $90,639
      • Nov 21, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $317,831
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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