The Mystic Masseur
The Mystic Masseur is a 2001 Merchant Ivory film based on the novel of the same name by V. S. Naipaul. It is one of relatively few films directed by Ismail Merchant, who is better known as the producer in the Merchant Ivory partnership, and addresses issues of Hindu subculture in Trinidad and Tobago.
| The Mystic Masseur | |
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| Directed by | Ismail Merchant |
| Produced by | Nayeem Hafizka and Richard Hawley |
| Written by | Caryl Phillips (based on the novel by V. S. Naipaul) |
| Starring | Om Puri Aasif Mandvi Ayesha Dharker Rajendra D. |
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| Language | Trinidadian English |
The movie was the first film adaptation of a novel by Naipaul. It was filmed in Trinidad and Tobago and was released in 2001, to lukewarm response. The screenplay is by Caryl Phillips. The film features performances by Om Puri and Aasif Mandvi, and original music by Zakir Hussain.
Synopsis
The novel by V. S. Naipaul moves between farce and acerbic social commentary on Trinidad, the country of his birth. The characters are mainly members of Trinidad's Indian community. The protagonist is Ganesh Ramsumair, a frustrated writer who rises from poverty on the back of his dubious talent as a "mystic" masseur, known as Pundit Ganesh, who can cure illnesses. In the end he becomes a successful colonial politician, under the name G. Ramsay Muir.
Cast
- Om Puri as Ramlogan
- Aasif Mandvi as Ganesh Ramsumair
- Ayesha Dharker as Leela G. Ramsumair
- Jimi Mistry as Pratap Cooper
- Sanjeev Bhaskar as Beharry
- Zohra Sehgal as Auntie
- Sakina Jaffrey as Suruj Mooma
- Rez Kempton as Basdeo
- Pip Torrens as Governor
- Albert Laveau as Headmaster
- Grace Maharaj as Mrs Cooper
- James Fox as Mr Stewart
- Rajendra D. as Mrs Cooper's Assistant and Man carrying cup of juice.
- Michael Cherrie as Man in yellow suit
- Maureen Thompson as Woman in rainbow dress
- Dinesh Maharaj as a Taxi driver
- Danesh Khan as Young Pratap Cooper