Son of a successful businessman, Sureel (Aalok Mehta) has always dreamt of making it big as a musician in New Jersey.

His father wants him to become a doctor and believes his son is studying for his doctor's degree.

The proud parents of Sureel in Amrican Chai

But all the while Sureel has actually taken a music major.

Already mastered the art of deception, Sureel has defied his father's orders since childhood - from smuggling R-rated movies, secretly romancing his girlfriend to playing in a successful rock band.

Now, in his senior year at college, Sureel's deceptive ways reaches an all-time low.

Juggling his time between his domineering father's regular dinner sessions at home and rushing back to the band's practice becomes increasingly difficult.

The happy couple - Sureel with girlfriend Jenny

But when his erratic time keeping becomes intolerable, the band decides to throw him out of the group.

Worse still, he gets deserted by Jenny (Jamie Hurley), his girlfriend who loves his music more than him.

Soon a chance meeting with American-Indian dancer, Maya (Sheetal Sheth), changes his life.

He is propelled into setting up his own music group with the help of his friend Toby (Josh Ackerman). They participate in a competition.

Unaware of Maya's profession, Sureel's father approves of his son's girlfriend because she is of an Indian origin.

Sureel majors in music but will he succeed?

But soon, the choices which life throws their way, threatens to rip them apart.

Does he pay the price for following his dreams?

Does he reveal his secret life to his parents and risk their rejection?

Winner of the Audience Slamdance Film Festival and Gen Art Film Festival Awards in 2001, American Chai is a thought provoking film worth seeing.