Electric Moon

A former Maharajah (Da Cunha), known as Bubbles to his friends, spends his advancing years running the Machan holiday lodge in the forests of central India. And while his sister (Naidu) shares his weary resignation at the disruption caused by tourists, their go-getting brother (the wonderful Seth) is keen to package his culture for Western consumption. But the mean-minded bureaucrat who oversees the national park seems determined to hinder the enterprise. Writer Arundhati Roy relies far too heavily on comic stereotype, from the women who lust after Bubbles to the patronising Brit harbouring memories of Empire; while director Krishen fails to control the rambling narrative. As a comedy, the film lacks pace; as a serious look at cultural and social exploitation, it lacks edge.