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.
