MOHALLA ASSI - Tango in Holy Benaras !!

This movie shows the problems that arise when two cultures mix and it challenges the popular view that immigration is an issue only in western countries like USA. 

Varanasi or Benaras is an ancient town famous among the religious in India for centuries. Now it seems to have fascinated the young pretty ladies from the west (US,France etc) and has therefore affected the economy of this poor town where 'Pandas' survive by foretelling future and performing religious services. Their God is Shiva whom they address as Babaji.  They live frugally and their houses line narrow Gullies. They find it hard to raise a family with their meager earnings but their strict Hindu religious upbringing prevents some of them to bow to temptations from the west and allow these skimpily dressed pretty girls into their old houses as renters even when they are offered high rents by these beauties. [There is a smooth talking local who markets the ladies from the west to the Pandas for a commission.]  However, as we see in some scenes, there are a few locals who have succumbed to the temptations not only of money but also of lust.

The old people gather in cafes made of wooden planks and there are long angry discussions around the topic of corruption of their religious traditions by these new immigrants who are ready to marry the poor locals so they can get visa extensions!! They would like to protect the traditions of the old city. They  also worry about their favored God Babaji being supplanted by Lord Rama of Ayodhya ;which is a reference to the religious issues that arise from time to time in India!

One such Panda is our upright hero (Sunny Deol) who used to get angry even at the suggestion of renting to these ladies but finally compromises because he cannot provide the extra clothing and fees for his children. He lets a young lady from the west into his house and teaches her Sanskrit while his harried wife caters to her other needs like food. They even drown their Babaji image in the Ganges with tears to convert their little temple into an attached bathroom for the renter. Such are the woes of the poor and simple people of Assi !! But now they are in a somewhat better financial condition.

Meanwhile, one Panda runs away to America with his American girlfriend , leaving his Indian family in Assi ! He returns back towards the end of the movie ready to reform Assi with the help of his new American wife, with new liberal views that challenge traditions!! A happy compromise ??