Elephant Boy

Not the rather dated Rudyard Kipling adaptation but an exploration of a young Indian boy's dream of a better life.

Jai (Rajesh Kumar) is on the streets. With his pal Nisha (Sangeeta Gopal-Vagel) he uses his disability - deformed 'elephant's' feet - as a way of gaining sympathy and cash from tourists. Not that they get to keep it, rather it is handed at the end of the day to a strict gang master who metes out punishments to those who don't deliver.

When a chance encounter with a Scottish tourist leads to her giving him a Scottish note, he vows to keep it, whatever the cost. The costs are high, for him, for Nisha and for the charitable giver. So high, in fact, that they lead to a spiritual journey.

The first part of this film is compelling, Jai and Nisha's relationship feels palpable as does their fear of the gang boss. Once Jai embarks on his spiritual pilgrimage, however, the film loses its edge and some of its interest as the focus slips and the story becomes less coherent.