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critics consensus

A sweetly silly but wafer-thin romantic comedy. Read critic reviews

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The Guru Photos

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Movie Info

A young Indian dance teacher named Ramu Gupta (Jimi Mistry) embarks for New York City in pursuit of fame and fortune, only to find himself working as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. Through an encounter with Sharonna (Heather Graham), a beautiful adult-film star, the shy, inexperienced Ramu is mistaken for a spiritual leader - the Guru of Sex - and becomes an overnight celebrity. Fame comes at a price, however, and Ramu must choose between his newfound fame and his love for Sharonna.
  • Rating:
    R (Strong Sexual Content|Language)
  • Genre:
    romance
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Daisy von Scherler Mayer
  • Producer:
    Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Michael London
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $3.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Working Title Films, StudioCanal
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, SDDS, DTS-ES, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Heather Graham
Sharonna
Marisa Tomei
Lexi
Jimi Mistry
Ramu Gupta
Michael McKean
Dwain
Christine Baranski
Chantal
Rob Morrow
Josh Goldstein
Malachy McCourt
Father Flannagan
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Rasphal, the Cook
Thomas McCarthy
Lars
Emil Marwa
Vijay Rao
Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Director
Tim Bevan
Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Michael London
Producer
Tracey Jackson
Writer (Screenplay)
Shekhar Kapur
Executive Producer
Liza Chasin
Executive Producer
Debra Hayward
Executive Producer
John de Borman
Director of Photography
Robin Standefer
Production Designer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Guru

All Critics (88) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (38)

  • Quote not available.

    December 30, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
    Empire Magazine

  • There's not a whole lot of heft to von Scherler Mayer's romantic comedy with ethnic Indian entanglements; it's like overdone naan, too flaky and ephemeral for its own good, but still somehow appetizing.

    March 10, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Marc Savlov

    Austin Chronicle

  • Devoid of life, intelligence, humor, and anything else that could entertain even the most undemanding viewer, this film is a perfect example of something that should have been shipped to landfills, not multiplexes.

    February 16, 2003 | Rating: 1/4

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews

  • A precipitous comedic falloff in the third quarter earns the film a qualified recommendation at best.

    February 14, 2003

    Dan Via

    Washington Post

  • With a reach that frequently falls short, higher wit and sexual sophistication crumble into plain old silliness.

    February 14, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Ted Fry

    Seattle Times

  • A trifle, a silly one at that, but it's a charming trifle that's hard to resist.

    February 14, 2003 | Rating: B

    Eric Harrison

    Houston Chronicle
View All Critic Reviews (88)

Audience Reviews for The Guru

  • Jul 30, 2017
    This one failed the rewatch test. I remember thinking it was quite good when it was first out many, many years ago. Geez. What was I thinking!
    Nicki M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 04, 2011
    The film lacks any big laughs and you'll probably forget you saw it an hour later. It has its moments and its sweet but is let down because of its water thin plot and lack of anything we haven't seen before.
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 15, 2009
    Starts well and is really funny with a self-effacing look at Indians in the US, and by the half-way mark I was loving it, then it gives up and focusses on a love story and there's a desperate rush to stop a wedding (which is nearly as bad as running to the airport), then they get together and drive off into the clouds after a song and dance. Stop it at the halfway point and it'll deserve another star.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 11, 2009
    A cute film. It had a couple of funny moments.
    Marion R Super Reviewer
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