Today's Special

2009

1h 39m

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

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1 Video

4 Images

Comedy

Romance

Young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.

Directors

David Kaplan

Writers

Aasif Mandvi(screenplay by)

Jonathan Bines(screenplay by)

Aasif Mandvi(writer by)

Stars

Aasif Mandvi

Jess Weixler

Naseeruddin Shah

See production, box office & company info

Videos1

Trailer
Watch Today's Special Official Theatrical Trailer 480p Opens NOV 19th!

Top cast

Samir

Carrie

Akbar

Henna (as Aarti Majmudar)

Steve

Stanton

Munnamia

Freddie

Directors

David Kaplan

Writers

Aasif Mandvi(screenplay by)

Jonathan Bines(screenplay by)

Aasif Mandvi(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

TODAY’S SPECIAL is a heartwarming comedy with a culinary flavor, co-written by Aasif Mandvi, Jonathan Bines, and directed by David Kaplan (Year of the Fish). It tells the story of Samir (Aasif Mandvi, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, THE LAST AIRBENDER) who is a sous chef who dreams of becoming the head chef at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. When he is passed over for a promotion he impulsively quits and lets his co-worker Carrie (Jess Weixler, TEETH) know that he intends to go to Paris and apprentice under a master French chef. Dreams must be put aside though after his father Hakim (Harish Patel, RUN FAT BOY RUN) has a heart attack and Samir is forced to take over Tandoori Palace, the nearly bankrupt family restaurant in Jackson Heights. Samir’s relationship with his parents and his heritage is immediately put to the test. He has been estranged from his father since the death of his older brother, and his mother Farrida, (played by legendary cookbook writer and actor, Madhur Jaffrey), is consumed with finding a wife for her remaining son. While Samir is being forced to forsake his dreams, he is desperately trying to master Indian cooking to salvage the family business. Luckily, he crosses paths with Akbar, a taxi driver, passionate chef, and worldly raconteur (portrayed by the icon of Indian cinema, Naseeruddin Shah, MONSOON WEDDING). Akbar inspires Samir and teaches him to trust his senses more than recipes; to stop measuring his life, and to start truly living it. With Akbar’s guidance, Samir has a chance to rediscover his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food. Today’s Special was inspired by the Obie Award winning play, Sakina’s Restaurant, a one man show written and performed by Aasif Mandvi, developed and directed by Kimberley Hughes.

uNiversal06 Mar, 2013