Bollywood Calling

A dire 'satire' on the absurdities and egomanias of both the Western and Indian film industries. The unconvincing Cusick, a depressive, alcoholic and ailing B-movie actor, is seduced by producer Om Puri into taking what he fears will be his last role in a Bollywood extravaganza. Cue culture clash a-plenty, since film-making methods and culture are so different as to be incomprehensible to the American, not least the hypocritical devotion shown by all to the ageing star. Puri does his best, and some of the supporting performances are passable, but this is sentimental, predictable, moralistic tosh, as contrived and melodramatic as the films it affectionately mocks. The use of serious illness as a plot device effectively sours the enterprise.