This black comedy about a truly dysfunctional middle class British Asian family unfolds through a series of flashbacks. The film builds a story of a mothers three troubled children who have bad relationships with each other and mad, sad or bad relationships with other people in their lives. Whether its psychiatrist and sex-addict Hardeep (Vara), would-be opera writer but actual sit-com writer Atal (Ganatra) or single depressed Rashmi (Syal), the script gives the actors plenty to get their teeth into.

This is where Ganatra and particularly Syal shine. Rashmi is forced into a string of blind dates by her mother by playing these scenes with restraint Syal brings out the excruciating nature and comedy of the set-ups all the more effectively.

Screenwriter and director Avie Luthra has won a range of awards for directing and writing including the 2006 Chicago International Childrens Film Festival Peace Prize for Lucky (for which he was also nominated for a BAFTA for Best Short Film), as well as the Royal Television Society Student Award for Baby (2003).

“Avie Luthra must be the only graduate of the National Film School who is also a practising psychiatrist. Perhaps this is why his first feature is so sharp about the dysfunctional Indian family at its centre.” Derek Malcolm, Evening Standard.

“Although it has been made on a tiny budget, Mad, Sad Bad holds together because of some brilliant performances – Meera Syal is particularly effective as the old maid – and a script that manages to combine comedy with some interesting observations about relationships.” Sunday Mail.

“A refreshingly normal portrayal of a British Asian family, staying clear of religious/cultural issues, while the mother despairs at her lack of grandchildren and hopes for successful marriages for her children this could be easily transferred to any kind of family in the UK. Extremely funny, easy-going characters – with a particularly amusing touch at the end.” Simon Cameron, Edinburgh Reviews.