This was a fun and powerful documentary that shows that it doesn't matter the Religious or Spiritual modalities, the feelings of love, acceptance and an openness for change can transform lives. Vikram Gandhi is the Director and also does an amazing job of playing the fictional Indian Guru named Kumare, aiming to recruit seekers of truth. He is childlike, wise and loving. I was entertained and touched by the cast of followers he attracted. All seemed so sincere (well most, except a few desperate women). It is the most perfect piece of performance art I have ever seen. I wished I could have been one of his followers. The ending is a well crafted priceless piece of truth.

It's said that Vikram Gandhi "impersonated" in Indian guru for this documentary but it seems like the deception he carried out was limited to speaking with an Indian accent rather than his own New Jersey one, wearing robes, and growing his hair and beard -- external elements that his disciples interpret in ways that vastly change their interpretations of the actual content of what he says. The film starts as a sort of practical expose of false gurus, and it never loses its power in that way -- these people are all very easily led to thinking they have had profound metaphysical experiences after speaking with a complete skeptic who merely looks and sounds like he could provide them with a metaphysical experience -- and who is telling them he's an illusion the whole time. If that's immoral at all, it's far less immoral than what is done by the countless "actual" gurus who seriously present supernatural claims and use them as a way into people's checkbooks. A key to the success of this film is Gandhi's performance in his "role" -- giving Kumare an innocence through his reactions and style of movement that endears him to the disciples while they are convinced of his wisdom. Without that their striking reactions could not have been captured. And it is remarkable when he realizes that he can make deeper connections with people and enjoy life more when he is playing Kumare than when he is not. There is an attempt to show that despite the earthly nature of his teachings, the students' lives have actually improved after their instruction with Kumare/Vikram. I'm not certain how I feel about that, but it's not a scientific claim, and amounts to saying that an admittedly-fake guru can help people as much or more than a supposedly- real one, and that they most needed to be told that they didn't need a guru. And that's fair.This is a fascinating experiment and a worthwhile documentary.

What a Fascinating movie about the human condition,blah, blah, blah. So the reviews go - for people who arrogate themselves to believe that they're "in on it" and woe and behold the frailty of humankind to be taken in by charlatans. Well, physicians, Heal thyself! Kumare from Jersey is playing YOU as the patsy. Breathe deep his bogus mirror therapy. Because you're the sucker in the mirror and This was scripted from start to finish yet other reviewers like to believe that Kumare got carried away and painted himself into a corner with a fantasy that he took too far. No he didn't. It wasn't a moral crisis that he suffered when he found himself too far into his own game that he couldn't "reveal" himself in person and and sheepishly had to do it via video to his followers. The video "reveal" is for your sake *the viewer* and on purpose. Like the fools who had phallic symbols painted by this sadistic freak onto their faces yet still embrace him after he picked their spiritual pocket, foolish viewers give this a top rating. You really think he was to chicken too do a personal "reveal" in front of 2 dozen people? No, he was hunting the bigger game- the video audience.

I think that people who miss the point of this movie have missed out on learning a great truth. We can help ourselves. We are our own guru. I think that this is the only way we can be truly happy is if we choose to be. We can't ride on the coattails of someone else's happiness or truth. We have to find it inside. This is what Vikram was bringing out. The illusion is truth. During Vikram's path of discovery he learned that he is Kumare and Vikram. As Kumare he stated that he had never felt more connected to people than he did then. Why? He took the time to 1) show an interest in others 2) connect with empathy and compassion 3) engage in reflective listening & conversation 4) Serve others 5) Teach them how to be self empoweredHe positively affected change in the lives of many people he encountered. Could he have done that as Vikram? I think not. Sometimes we need the illusion to move into our truth. I think he would make a great life coach, as Vikram. :)