Asian Film Festival of Dallas 2009 - ‘Tandoori Love’

Much like the clay oven from which the film derives its name, TANDOORI LOVE heats things up with its everyman romantic tale and wildly amusing dance sequences. If song lyrics such as “cheese and milk can be magical too” and “chocolate makes all the women melt” put a smile on your face, then prepare to feast on this Bollywood-by-way-of-Switzerland comedy.

The film is centered around the character of Sonja, who appears to be gliding through life without much thought. Worse, her boyfriend has just announced their engagement to friends and family without, you know...proposing to her first. With the filming of a new Bollywood film in the scenic mountainside comes personal chef Rajah, who can't help but break into song and dance after meeting Sonja. The film evolves into a bizarre love triangle, with Sonja having to decide whether she wants a life of security, or something infinitely more spicy. Where Tandoori Love really separates itself from traditional Bollywood films is through the use of its Swiss backdrop.

TANDOORI LOVE makes the most of its stark contrasts, with the traditional Indian saris appearing kaleidoscopic against the pristine mountain setting. The juxtaposition works perfectly, and will stick with film goers long after the credits roll. Writer/Director Olivier Paulus found his inspiration for the film in India's decades long history of filming in Switzerland, (Indian film crews shoot more movies here yearly than their indigenous counterparts). TANDOORI LOVE runs a breezy 92 minutes, and like the best dishes will leave you craving more.

Information from the festival's website