Three decades ago, Manoj Kumar's Purab Aur Pachim depicted the contrasting cultures of India and U.K. with dexterity. Over the years, several films have embarked on a similar route, but very few could leave that indelible impression. Ramji Londonwaley grips you slowly and steadily. If the first hour is just OK, the second half changes the fortunes of not just Ramji, but also the film.

The story of a simpleton has been narrated with utmost simplicity and care. There's no effort to resort to clichés or formula, no unwanted songs, no attempt by the director to make you gulp something you didn't want to. Kamal Haasan's story, Sanjay Dayma's screenplay and direction, Madhavan's performance and a heady mix of light and dramatic moments are the USPs of this enterprise. To sum up, the outcome is as invigorating as a hot coffee on a rainy day.

A remake of the Tamil hit Nala Damayanthi , which also starred Madhavan as a cook [in the Tamil version, Ramji heads for Australia], Ramji Londonwaley succeeds in bringing a smile on your face and a tear in your eye.

Ramji [Madhavan], a cook from Bihar, leaves for London to earn money and dole out the promised dowry for his sister's marriage. After a hilarious air travel, he lands in London to find that his U.K.-based employer is dead. Things go from bad to worse when Ramji loses his belongings, including his passport, and is virtually on the streets, completely clueless about what to do next.

But hope comes in the form of an Indian [Harsh Chhaya] and his wife, who employ him as a chef in their Indian restaurant. But the immigration department swoops on Ramji; the only way out is to get into a marriage of convenience with Sameera [Samita Bangargi], a U.K. national. However, she is already into a steady relationship [Raj Zutshi], but agrees for this marriage since her fiancé compels her.

The rest of the film is about the immigration authorities getting on Ramji's trail and how the simpleton triumphs in every situation despite obstacles and barriers. The interesting part of the film is the strong identification with the characters. Ramji is like any one of us, who lands up in situations that aren't easy to entangle. Sequences like Samita learning the truth about Zutshi's marriage, Zutshi's ugly confrontation in the night with the entire clan and his estranged wife stepping in to give him a piece of her mind and the climax sequence at the airport, when Ramji decides to return to his village are examples of scenes executed with perfection.

Ramji Londonwaley belongs to Madhavan completely. He conveys so much through his expressive face and eyes and that's where the actor triumphs. Satish Shah proves his versatility in a different role. The lady playing the role of Zutshi's estranged wife is excellent. Amitabh Bachchan stages an entry in the last sequence and is sure to appeal to the die-hard Bachchan fans. On the whole, Ramji Londonwaley is a feel-good entertainer that gives you a positive feeling at the conclusion of the show. An enjoyable film, without a doubt!