Best described as a crossover film for both Indian and mainstream audiences in Europe, France-based writer/director Vijay Singh's One Dollar Curry tells the tale of an Indian Sikh named Nishan (Vikram Chatwal) who takes political refuge in Paris. Armed with nothing more than his charm and a bottle of aphrodisiac oil, the young chancer sets about building himself a reputation as the 'Maharaja of Indian cuisine'. Full of colour but only a pinch of spice, this feel-good comedy tries but fails to tickle the palette.

Overwhelmed by his creative new friends Fixer (Trevor Stevens) and Bale (Lakshan Abenayake), who give tantra massages and edit the local Kamasutra Times, Nishan (Chatwal) realises he has to think big if he is to survive in Paris. So with the help of his pals he starts One Dollar Curry, a cheap Indian kitchen on wheels. Lucky for him then that television journalist Nathalie (Gabriella Wright) is a fan of chicken korma and smells a great documentary idea which might just cement her own job in TV. One fake family lineage and two catering jobs later the duo are on their way to making money and love, only for Nishan's fiancée Yamini (Smriti Mishra) to spoil their concoction.

"A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO DIGEST"

Despite the premise for a classic caper, Singh's bland direction and obvious budget constraints fail to deliver what had the potential of being a great 'Bombay duck out of water' story. There are a few laugh-out loud moments but some far-fetched jokes, such as a homemade cremation scene (don't ask), are a little difficult to digest. Nevertheless, One Dollar Curry's subtle and entertaining treatment of serious topics of immigration and integration deserves some praise.

In English, French and Punjabi with English subtitles.