The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir

"Tamil movie star Dhanush plays Aja in this filmed version of improbably-titled bestselling novel The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe. Raised in the slums of Mumbai by his single mum (Amruta Sana), young Aja graduates from conning cash out of tourists to budding magician. Following the passing of his devoted mother, Aja sets off for Paris, seeking his mysterious, long-lost French father."

"If you're in an uncynical and generous mood, this is a colourful crowdpleaser with a little on its mind to say."

"Where Puertolas' novel humanised immigrants and asylum seekers, the film too often falls back on broad racial archetypes."

"Never too edgy or too suspenseful or too violent, it just rolls along at a nice pace telling a nice story."

"A movie that does eventually deliver its parcel by the final act - even if it is tenuously wrapped."

"A winsome if all-too-saccharine migration adventure."

"...a delightful treasure hunt of wild coincidences told in a fairy-tale of a story..."

"[Aja and Nelly's] Bollywood dance routine brings the house down."