The Mystic Masseur
Encyclopedia
The Mystic Masseur is a Merchant Ivory film based on the novel of the same title
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.
The movie was the first film adaptation of a novel by Naipaul. It was filmed in Trinidad
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
.
' masseur - a masseur (Pundit Ganesh) who can cure illnesses. In the end he become a successful colonial politician (G. Ramsay Muir).
The Mystic Masseur (novel)
The Mystic Masseur is a comic novel by V. S. Naipaul first published in 1957. It is set in colonial Trinidad.-Plot:The novel is about a frustrated writer of Indian descent who rises from an impoverished background to become a successful politician on the back of his dubious talent as a 'mystic'...
by V. S. Naipaul
V. S. Naipaul
Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad "V. S." Naipaul, TC is a Nobel prize-winning Indo-Trinidadian-British writer who is known for his novels focusing on the legacy of the British Empire's colonialism...
.
It is one of relatively few films directed by Ismail Merchant
Ismail Merchant
Ismail Merchant was an Indian-born film producer, best known for the results of his famously long collaboration with Merchant Ivory Productions which included director James Ivory as well as screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala...
who is better known as the producer in the Merchant Ivory partnership.
The movie was the first film adaptation of a novel by Naipaul. It was filmed in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
and was released in 2001
2001 in film
The year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
, to lukewarm response.
The screenplay is by Caryl Phillips
Caryl Phillips
Caryl Phillips is a British writer with a Caribbean background, best known as a novelist. He is now professor at Yale University and a visiting professor at Barnard College of Columbia University.-Life:...
. The film features performances by Om Puri
Om Puri
Om Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
and Aasif Mandvi
Aasif Mandvi
Aasif Hakim Mandviwala , known professionally as Aasif Mandvi , is an American actor and comedian. He began appearing as an occasional contributing correspondent on The Daily Show on August 9, 2006. On March 12, 2007, he was promoted to a regular correspondent.-Early life and stage career:Mandvi...
, and original music by Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (musician)
Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St...
.
Synopsis
The comic 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 South Asian community. The protagonist is a frustrated writer of Indian descent (Ganesh Ramsumair) who rises from poverty on the back of his dubious talent as a 'mysticMysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
' masseur - a masseur (Pundit Ganesh) who can cure illnesses. In the end he become a successful colonial politician (G. Ramsay Muir).
Cast
- Om PuriOm PuriOm Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
- Ramlogan - Aasif MandviAasif MandviAasif Hakim Mandviwala , known professionally as Aasif Mandvi , is an American actor and comedian. He began appearing as an occasional contributing correspondent on The Daily Show on August 9, 2006. On March 12, 2007, he was promoted to a regular correspondent.-Early life and stage career:Mandvi...
- Ganesh Ramseyor - Ayesha DharkerAyesha DharkerAyesha Dharker is a British-Indian actress. She is known for her performance in the Tamil Indian film, The Terrorist , for which she was awarded Best Artistic Contribution by an Actress at the Cairo International Film Festival and nominated for a Chlotrudis Award and National Film Award for Best...
- Leela G. Ramseyor - Jimi MistryJimi Mistry-Early life:Mistry, was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England to an Indian Hindu father and an Irish Roman Catholic mother. He was brought up a Roman Catholic and attended St. James' Catholic High in Cheadle Hulme before his family moved to Cardiff where he attended Radyr Comprehensive School...
- Pratap Cooper - Sanjeev BhaskarSanjeev BhaskarSanjeev Bhaskar, OBE is a British Indian comedian, actor and broadcaster, best known for his work in the BBC Two comedy series Goodness Gracious Me and as host of The Kumars at No. 42...
- Beharry - Zohra Segal - Auntie
- Sakina JaffreySakina JaffreySakina Jaffrey is an Indian American actress.Jaffrey was born in Manhattan, New York, the youngest daughter of Madhur Jaffrey and Saeed Jaffrey. She graduated from Vassar College in 1984. Jaffrey appeared with her father in the film Masala and with her mother in The Perfect Murder...
- Suruj Mooma - Rez KemptonRez Kempton-Filmography:*2013 Stud Life as Reza*2013 The 25th Dynasty as Isaiah of Judah*2011 The Hidden Persuaders as Eric Simmons*2011 Viral as Detective Barker...
- Basdeo - Pip TorrensPip TorrensPip Torrens is an English actor.He was born in Bromley, Kent, England. He studied English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge...
- Governor - Albert Laveau - Headmaster
- Grace Maharaj - Mrs. Cooper
- James Fox - Mr. Stewart
- Michael Cherrie - Man in yellow suit
- Maureen Thompson - Woman in rainbow dress
- Dinesh Maharaj - Taxi driver
- Danesh Khan - Young Pratap Cooper