Released not long after after Piyush Dinker Pandya's American Desi and Krutin Patel's ABCD, this well meaning, likeable first feature from writer-director Anurag Mehta treads similar ground: the chasm between the traditionalism of Indian immigrant parents and the more adventurous spirits of Indian-American youth.

American Chai which premiered at Slamdance, stars Anurag Mehta’s younger brother Aalok Mehta as the main protagonist caught in a war of wills with his father (played brilliantly by Paresh Rawal). When Sureel (Aalok) pursuing his passion for music forms a garage band and gains popularity, his upper middle class parents forbid him to think of music as anything but a hobby. Forced into enrolling in college as a pre-med major, Sureel, unbeknownst to his parents opts to major in music. Sureel’s parents disapprove of his white girl friend and what they perceive as his wild and crazy ways.

Things come to a head when kicked out of his band and ditched by his girl friend Sureel finds a kindred soul in a talented young student dancer Maya (Sheetal Sheth). He soon begins to frequent Indian-American haunts and develops a romantic interest in Maya.

Aalok Mehta as the mellow hipster, orator and social theorist Sureel turns in an endearing performance as does the pretty Ms. Seth.

Mehta and Sheth are supported by solid performances, by Josh Ackerman as Sureel's best friend and fellow musician and Reena Shah as his fiancee. Aasif Mandvi is their funny, crude pal who considers himself an expert on women is a natural born scene stealer. Ajay Naidu turns in an interesting performance as the liquor store owner who lives by the axiom ‘Don't Worry, Chicken Curry ... Indians stick together’.

The film has some very humorous moments, but is often cliched. It is nevertheless fun to watch and entertaining.

Second generation American Indians in their twenties and thirties will find the film more appealing than ones in their teens.

This review is sponsored by Raja and Rana of Burlington, MA.

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