Guru In Seven Review

When Sanjay (Ganatra) splits with his girlfriend Jill (Quarcoo), his cronies offer him a bet to spice up his life. If he can persuade seven women to sleep with him in as many days he'll earn the mantle of "Guru". Sinister forces, however, must ensure he fulfils his brief, losing Jill forever...

by Ali Catterall |
Published on
Release Date:

10 Jul 1998

Running Time:

109 minutes

Certificate:

18

Original Title:

Guru In Seven

Given the current vogue for all things curry-flavoured (from Cornershop to Kundun to Kureishi), Shani Grewal's laughably low-budget affair might appear a hurried, zeitgeist-riding cash-in, with even less money than sense. Except it packs more energy, brio and honest-to-goodness spunk than many of the other more lavish products currently clogging the multiplexes.

It's a slight premise, but as an exercise in rapid-fire ribaldry, including a wicked take on Bollywood song and dance routines, director/ writer/producer Grewal has clawed his way back from the disastrous drubbing afforded 1991's Double X to turn in something rather special. In particular, coaxing natural, superlative performances from a predominantly young multi-racial cast. Ganatra's Lothario (owing a distinct nod to Alfie) coruscates with presence, while Jacqueline Pearce as The Oyster Lady contributes sterling back-up.

Ultimately, Guru's greatest strength is its heartfelt refusal to pander to a (white) audience's expectations of cornershop-owning Asian Britain. Many characters might easily be substituted for other races without undermining the storyline - yes, young Indians also swear, smoke, drink and screw. Definitely worth seeking out.
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