Basmati Blues

Basmati Blues is a romantic comedy film from 2017 that tells the story of Dr. Linda Watt, an agricultural scientist who is sent to India to promote a genetically modified rice that she has developed, which she believes will increase crop yields and alleviate hunger. The film stars Brie Larson as Dr. Watt, Utkarsh Ambudkar as Rajit, the head of the Indian agricultural company that she partners with, and Scott Bakula as Dr. Gurgi, Linda’s boss and mentor.

The film begins with Linda receiving the news that she has been selected for a prestigious position with her company, and will be moving to India for a year-long assignment to work on research and development projects with a local agricultural company. Once in India, she begins working with Rajit, who is assigned to be her project manager. Soon after they meet, Linda presents her proposal for a modified strain of rice that she hopes will revolutionize the industry. To her surprise, however, the idea is met with resistance from Rajit and his team, who believe that local farming methods are superior and should be protected.

As Linda tries to win Rajit over to her way of thinking, she finds herself falling in love with him, a development that complicates her work and causes her to question her own motives. Meanwhile, she is also faced with opposition from the local farmers, who are skeptical of her methods and fear that their livelihoods will be threatened. Despite these challenges, Linda remains committed to her work and sets out to prove the value of her research.

Throughout the film, the audience is treated to beautiful shots of India, including its landscapes, culture, and people, which serve as an important backdrop to the story. The film tackles important themes such as cross-cultural communication, the importance of community and tradition, and the ethics of genetic modification in agriculture. The chemistry between Larson and Ambudkar is also a highlight of the film, and their performances help to keep the story engaging and emotionally resonant.

Overall, Basmati Blues is a charming and uplifting film that explores important global issues while also delivering a sweet and funny romantic story. While it may not be a groundbreaking film in terms of cinematic technique or storytelling, its heart and humor make it an enjoyable and memorable viewing experience.