London has been a backdrop for countless Bollywood musicals, but more often than not it's the capital's landmarks and not the locals that take centre stage. In Vipul Shah's Namastey London we get the dubious pleasure of seeing both when a hunky Punjabi farmer (Akshaye Kumar) flies over to win the heart of his British Asian wife. Culture clash and generation gaps are the obvious issues that surface, but it's the screenplay's colonial hang up that causes unintended laughs in this rustic romantic comedy.

"I'm just the Indian father of an English daughter" sighs Manmohan Singh (Rishi Kapoor) when confronted with his daughter's 'westernised' antics. What better way then to reacquaint Jasmeet (Katrina Kaif) with her roots than take her back to the homeland and marry her off to a suitable Indian boy? But after years of downing vodka shots and flirting with English men, Jasmeet, or Jazz as she is known to her British friends, is more of a party animal than potential Punjabi housewife. Once back in London she dumps husband Arjun (Kumar) for aristocrat Charles Brown (Clive Standon) when she points out their marriage isn't legally recognised. Not one to be defeated, Arjun sets about winning his dusky maiden's heart before she weds again.

"NEVER SUBTLE"

Peppered with jokes emphasising India's greatness, Nair's script is never subtle when pointing out the underlying cultural differences between the east and west. Using hackneyed scenarios and patriotic speeches to bring about a change in heart, Namastey London doesn't paint a very realistic picture of the Indian Diaspora or Brits, who are seen sipping tea with Prince Charles when not playing cricket or hanging around Tower Bridge. Despite this, Kumar and Kaif have a strangely entertaining repartee which somehow keeps this film from offending.