American Chai (2001) Official Site **** of **** Origin: USA Length: 92 minutes Writer & Director: Anurag Mehta Cast: Aalok Mehta: Sureel Paresh Rawal: Sureel's Father Josh Ackerman: Toby Sheetal Sheth: Maya Aasif Mandvi: Engineering Sam Ajay Naidu: Hari			Titles & images are property of their respective owners.
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	Synopsis: Sureel is a first generation Indian American college graduating senior music major who's 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 America 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.  Value conflicts are explored as the rationale behind internal racism and dating objectives are explored.  Review: This is a hilarious look at late collegiate life with a fresh perspective on many issues.  This very well made independent film balances the romance factor well to keep the story going, and manages to pull a tear or two before it's over.  The characters are real and have good depth for a comedy.  The audience may have a hard time with the father's accent, but the tone of the conversation will give you the idea of what's going on in the story.  This will really appeal to an audience who has been in a large college, had controlling parents, or had musical aspirations.  The friendships and problems in their lives are integral with solid telling of this story.  This was one of only 7 films to be sold out (although it was a small theater) by advanced ticket sales at the Wisconsin Film Festival at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  The first question asked of the writer/director, Anurag Mehta, by an audience member was how can we get a copy to send to our parents.  Mehta was asked by his father to tell everyone that he is nothing like the father in this, his first movie.  Fathead did their own music in the film, and Aalok Mehta who debuted as Sureel in this, his brother's film, wrote and performed the unique and melodic songs he did in this project as well as the score with some help.  See this film!