This Indian film is worth seeing if only for the shots of Delhi, the density of people, the structured chaos on the streets, the honesty of the camera work.  However there's a lot more.  What begins as an ordinary preparation for an arranged opulent Punjabi wedding evolves into at least two love stories and some very difficult family situations. 

        What struck me about this film was the energy that is alive in the actors all through the film.  It was not just the multiple day party, although that was terrific.  The only thing I like better than being in a party is watching a good one and this one was a blast.  It was the fact that the actors in this were so involved in their parts that they became the people.  Mira Nair, the director confirmed this in her DVD interview.  The group became a family making the film.  

        The other striking thing is the rich vivid traditional Indian culture portrayed in the ceremonies, the dress, the music, the ornamentation and the elaborate decorations.  They must have used a million marigolds to make this film.  The camera caught all of this and it seemed emphasized by the scene switches between city streets and the family's estate.

        The story is funny, sad, joyous and tragic just like life.  But there is a challenge watching this, just keeping the characters straight.  The Verma family includes the bride; Aditi, her mother, Pimmi, her father Lalit, her younger brother, Varun, her cousin, Ria whose father is dead, but I lost her other family in the crowd.  There is also a young woman, Ayeshal and a girl, Aliya who are also Vermas and associated with other aunts, uncles and cousins that I lost track of.  The important non-family characters are the talk show host, Vikram, the event planner, P.K. Dube and a maid, Alice.  And I almost forgot the groom, Hemant.  It s really a mob scene and that is part of what makes the excitement of the event infectious.  It reminds me of my own wedding at a park in the Palo Alto hills with 150 guests, an Irish band, washtubs of champagne bottles but that's another story.

        There is a brief mention of the Partition and the family's safe immigration.  The Punjab region was divided between India and Pakistan when the English left in 1947.  The film title works, since Punjab is on the edge of the monsoon region.  The mean temperature there is 95 deg F during June and this tropical environment of rain and heat adds sensuality to the film.

        This is a film I can recommend.  You leave feeling great, not consciously aware that you have just had a lesson in family values.  But don't skip the credits.  The film story end continues interleaved through them.