By Caroline Westbrook BBC News Online Entertainment Staff

With the growth in popularity of Bollywood movies, it was only a matter of time before the genre found itself being embraced by mainstream cinema.

However, don't be fooled into thinking that The Guru, one of the year's sharper romantic comedies, takes all its inspiration from the world of Bollywood.

Those who go expecting this to be the kind of song and dance spectacular that the posters and adverts for the film suggest, are in for a disappointment.

For the musical sequences take up less than 10 minutes of the film's running time - the remainder being a likeable blend of fish-out-of-water comedy and offbeat romance.

Jimi Mistry is terrific as "guru of sex" Ramu

Ramu Gupta (Jimi Mistry of East Is East and EastEnders fame) is a starry-eyed dance teacher who leaves Delhi for New York to make it big as a Broadway star.

He loses his job as a waiter, and is shocked when his first film role turns out to be in a porn movie alongside adult film actress Sharonna (Heather Graham). Despite all the philosophical advice she can give him, he just can't perform.

An increasingly desperate Ramu gatecrashes a birthday party catered by his former boss, to beg for his job back - but when the New Age guru hired to provide spiritual guidance for the guests collapses in a drunken heap, he is forced to take his place.

His impromptu performance - boosted by Sharonna's philosophy - proves such a hit with wealthy partygoers, including birthday girl Lexi (Marisa Tomei) that he finds himself in demand as the "guru of sex" - transforming the love lives of rich New Yorkers, and becoming a star.

And as he increasingly turns to Sharonna for more of her "wisdom" to help him in his new career, he finds himself falling for her charms.

Marisa Tomei stars as rich socialite Lexi

Although this is from the same people who brought the world Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary, The Guru is a very different film.

This is a lot darker and more intelligent than many of its peers, and as such there are times when the comedy comes to a halt completely.

The script is witty and frequently spot-on but you can't help thinking a few more choice one-liners would have been very welcome.

But when it works it is a joy to watch - Mistry is spot on as the naive Ramu, and Graham (playing a porn star for the second time in her career, after Boogie Nights), is sweet and appealing.

And the musical sequences, which play up to the public's obsession with Bollywood culture as much as they poke fun at it - are skilfully directed and add life and colour to the film.

Ultimately, this is forgettable stuff, but if you're looking for a change of pace from the summer blockbusters, this shamelessly feelgood film more than fits the bill.