A long and little known title shouldn't put you off this buried treasure! The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is a sweet, unique and slightly far-fetched tale that makes for an entertaining watch.

 

Before stepping into the theatre, I watched the trailer of this film and my first impressions were less-than-impressive. It looked a little too fictional and disjointed, even dream-like and Alice-in-Wonderlandish (almost). But please, please don't let this put you off. The film in its entirety is charming and creates a story that's just the right mix of fantasy and realism.

 

Dhanush (Ajatashatru Lavash Patel) was raised by his single mother in a small Mumbai neighbourhood, As a child he makes money by tricking people with street magic and fakir stunts. As he grows up, his mother is always talking about taking him to Paris - a place that seems like it's worlds away from Mumbai. Dhanush then sets out on a journey to find his estranged father - a trip that quickly becomes a wild adventure filled with quirky characters. 

 

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is able to combine comedy scenes, along with snapshots of the more heart-breaking story of Dhanush. I have however heard that the film is not true to it's book-version, but it was beautiful on its own merit nonetheless.

 

Prepare yourself for an unlikely adventure with The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir.