Ramji Londonwaley

Director: Sanjay Dayma

Cast: R. Madhavan, Samita Bangargi, Ameet Chana, Raj Zutshi, Akhilendra Mishra, Aditya Lakhia, Daya Shankar Pandey, Harsh Chhaya, Satish Shah

6.5/10

Abrother finds what he thinks is the perfect match for his sister. A ‘good’ family, strong finances and what’s more, the groom has a job in the electronic media. But in the great Indian groom market, bid right and get lucky you might. So off goes brother Ramji (Madhavan) across the seven seas, with pidgin English and the perfect recipe for everything, to earn his sister’s dowry.

Ramji is just not a Bawarchi. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s bawarchi is as far removed from Sanjay Dayma’s cook as Bihar is from Britain. What the two nevertheless have in common is a light-hearted look at life. One dishes up heavenly fare spiced up with a dash of wisdom to get a squabbling joint family to stick together. The other stays put in an alien land, surviving toilet paper and strange underwear, so that his sister can stay in her marital home. If the bawarchi has a tip for all troubles, “Ramji ke paas hai sabka masala.”

Chief chef Dayma, taking the cue from Kamalahasan’s Tamil hit, Nala Damayanthi, dishes out delectable fare. Never mind a few inconsistencies, for cynics never had a good meal!

Ah, never mind the meal, it’s the finis that is the crown ? nay, the dessert, and a very royal one at that! Drooling, lip-smacking, delicious fare throughout, with a cherry-topped pie served last. And what a cherry! As Big as it could B!

Sonali Chakraborty