The Guru 2003

Ramu’s journey begins in his childhood when he, as a young boy, finds himself bored by a Bollywood dance number, prompting his decision to sneak into another theater showcasing John Travolta’s Grease. This experience ignites a passion for Western dance in him. As he grows up, Ramu Gupta, portrayed by Jimi Mistry, establishes himself as a dance instructor at his own studio called the Shanti Dance and Modern Movement, attracting a clientele of middle-aged women looking to regain their youthful exuberance.

Leaving behind his home in Delhi, India, Ramu sets off to pursue the American Dream in the United States. Against the wishes of his parents, who fear he might end up working as a waiter or taxi driver, Ramu turns over his dance classes to his sister, Manju Mati, from Kerala. He is lured by his cousin Vijay’s grandiose promises of a luxurious life, but upon arriving in New York City, Ramu is disillusioned to find that Vijay lives in a shared apartment with two roommates, Sanjiv and Amit, and drives no car at all.

Frustrated, Ramu takes a job as a waiter but is soon fired after a confrontation with a customer. Desperate for success, he ventures into acting, bewildered when he lands a role in a pornographic film produced by Dwain, a director played by Michael McKean. His audition involves a dance number but takes an unexpected turn when Dwain requests he remove his pants, leaving Ramu perplexed about the nature of the project. Soon, he discovers his co-star is a striking adult actress named Sharonna, portrayed by Heather Graham.

Facing nervousness on set due to the intimacy of the scene, Ramu struggles to perform, prompting Sharonna to offer him advice that centers around the concept of perception and the intelligence behind sexual connection. With their differing worlds merging, Sharonna has her own secrets, including an engagement to a firefighter named Rusty, who is unaware of her career.

During a catering gig gone awry, Ramu seizes an opportunity to impress at a birthday party for Alexandra “Lexi” Hamilton, played by Marisa Tomei. Lexi, captivated by Ramu’s improvised oration, inadvertently promotes him as a New Age sex guru, leading to unexpected fame and intimacy between them, despite Ramu’s lack of genuine material to work from.

To enhance his role, Ramu seeks Sharonna’s guidance on the intricacies of adult films, leading to deeper feelings developing between them, even as she remains engaged to Rusty. Ramu enjoys newfound financial success as he helps Lexi’s friends navigate their troubled relationships, but his connection with Sharonna complicates matters. As Ramu’s celebrity status soars, he grapples with the relationship dynamics that come with it, prompting an identity crisis between maintaining his fame and pursuing genuine love.

Confrontations arise when Lexi tries to dominate Ramu’s career and life choices, leading to a pivotal breaking point. This tension explodes when Ramu openly declares his feelings for Sharonna, who, grappling with her past and relationship status, runs away as he works through his public persona. Amidst turmoil, Ramu must come clean about his fraudulent life on national television and begins to turn things around, reigniting the romance that sparked between him and Sharonna.

In a dramatic finale, Ramu rushes to stop Sharonna’s wedding, paralleling the intense emotional conflicts faced by both characters. In a twist of fate, he encounters Rusty’s secret lover, leading to a shared moment of realization about love and commitment. Ultimately, the narrative concludes with a celebratory Bollywood dance number, uniting the essence of Ramu’s journey and the vibrant cultural influences that shaped his life.