Outsourced

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This article is about the film. For the comedy album by Russell Peters, see Russell Peters: Outsourced.
 This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (July 2009)
LUN FAD

Promotional poster for LAN FAD
Directed by John Jeffcoat
Produced by Tom Gorai
Gwen Bialic (co-producer)
David Skinner (executive producer)
George Wing (executive producer)
Written by George Wing
John Jeffcoat
Starring Josh Hamilton
Ayesha Dharker
Arjun Mathur
Music by BC Smith
Cinematography Teodoro Maniaci
Editing by Brian Berdan
Distributed by Flag of the United States ShadowCatcher Entertainment
Release date(s) 2006-09-12
Running time 103 min
Country  United States
Language English

Outsourced is a modern day comedy of cross-cultural conflict and romance, directed by John Jeffcoat, released in 2006.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

However, through his team of quirky yet likable Indian call center workers, including his friendly and motivated replacement, Puro (Asif Basra), and the charming, opinionated Asha (Ayesha Dharker), Todd soon realizes that he too has a lot to learn – not only about India and America, but about himself. One day he calls his girlfriend in the US from a public telephone in Gharapuri village where he has been posted, only to find that she is with another man now. Todd is depressed but, before long, discovers that being outsourced may be the best thing that ever happened to him. Arriving in India however is a big culture shock for him, from catching a train to catching a taxi which ultimately turns out to be an auto rickshaw. Todd's objective is to get the time it takes to solve problems down from twelve minutes to six. If he doesn't achieve this, his boss won't let him go home. Another call center worker like him tells him its hopeless, while eating at MacDonells. He also suggests that instead of fighting it out Todd should stop opposing it,his life in the process will become easy. Next day there is a celebration of colors "Holi" in which Todd is caught, he initially tries to run away from the people throwing colors at him, but finally joins in the celebration. He is seen submerging in the village lake and then coming out of it emphasizing his acceptance of the culture. He also starts to give away the food to the poor people working next to the place he is living. One night, Todd congratulates his call center. Then he asks what they would like to make working at the call center a more positive experience. Workers ask to bring pictures and figurines from home. Workers also ask to get the "tacky" products they're selling. Todd makes a deal that the worker with the greatest MPI will get to pick the product of his choice from the treasure box. He has the manufacturer send a hundred products, much to the boss's disliking. When the boss calls to complain, Todd explains that there are a billion potential buyers in India who would love to buy the products. The boss responds by shipping the products overnight.

The products are sent to the wrong location. It's another town and street with the same name. Todd and Asha go to retrieve the packages, via car and ferry. Todd asks the goddess of destruction "Kali" to destroy something in the taxi, while they wait. The ferry coincidentally burns up. Todd and Asha are forced to buy a hotel suite called the Kama Sutra Suite. They are uncomfortable at first, but ironically end up making love.

When they return to work, Asha explains that she has been engaged since four and asks him to maintain professional distance with her. Todd feels let down for which Asha explains the concept of holiday in Goa and about how she will be able to love her future husband like her mother and father. To this Todd replies that he does not understand how the strong-willed Asha would settle for an arranged marriage and Asha responds with not understanding the 50% divorce rate. Asha confesses to Todd that all her life she had to struggle for everything from education to work and always listening to her parents complaining "You can't go to college" to "You can't go to school" and how elated she was when Todd said "Asha can do anything" while explaining to Puro trying to reduce the time per call.

After this, Todd's boss, David, finally arrives. When he comes to check on the progress, which was previously just over five minutes per call, they find the call center flooded. Todd has the entire staff move to the roof. The aghast David thinks it is impossible but the by-now enlightened Todd replies it may be impossible in the US but not in India. They succeed in getting good numbers. Before Todd goes off to celebrate at "The Lotus" bar, he is told by David that the company will be outsourcing to China for a much cheaper price. That means all the employees have lost their jobs.

But the employees don't complain, because with severence pay, they are planning on getting other jobs. However, Puro is disappointed because he won't get enough money to marry the woman of his dreams. David offers Todd a lucrative job offer, regarding the new China call center. Todd gives this job to Puro, who happily marries with enough money and a great future. Todd returns to Seattle, where he starts picking up on the Indian traditions. Todd's phone rings with a special ringtone that means it's Asha calling. The last shot is of him smiling.

[edit] Production

Principal photography took place in Mumbai from February 5 to March 13, 2006, followed by three days in Seattle from April 7-9, 2006. The film is based on an original screenplay by George Wing and writing partner, John Jeffcoat.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Television spinoff

According to Variety, Ken Kwapis, of The Office, has reportedly been tapped by NBC to create a television pilot for a potential spinoff of Outsourced.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourced"
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