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American Chai
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Wikipedia article
'American Chai' is a 2001 comedy-drama film written and directed by Indian American director Anurag Mehta. His brother, Aalok Mehta, played the starring role opposite Sheetal Sheth, who had previously starred in the similar genre film 'ABCD'. The film also had a minor role played by Paresh Rawal.
The film deals with an Indian American student who wants to pursue his love of music over the more "typical" academic endeavors of Indian Americans (e.g., medicine, engineering, and law).
The film won the Audience Award at the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival, with the 'New York Post' describing it as a "slight but sweet film".
Premise
Sureel is a first generation Indian American college graduating senior music major whose controlling father still believes that he is pre-med. His desires in life conflict with both his family's traditional values, and the usual Indian way of assimilating into the United States by becoming a doctor or engineer. As graduation approaches, he has an opportunity to be nationally recognized for his music which will simplify telling his father the truth.
Cast
*Aalok Mehta Sureel
*Sheetal Sheth Maya
*Aasif Mandvi Engineering Sam
*Josh Ackrman Toby
*Ajay Naidu Hari
*Paresh Rawal - Sureel's Dad
*Bharti Desai - Sureel's Mom
*Akshay Oberoi Neel
*Rajiv Reddy Young Sureel
*Jamie Hurley - Jen
*Reena Shah Sejal
*Anand Chulani Raju
*Jill Anderson Lisa
*Kyle Koehl Young Boy
*Marlee Kattler Young Girl
The Philadelphia-based hip-hop band Fathead also appears in the film.
References
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