The Party

The Party is a 1968 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers in multiple roles, and featuring a star-studded cast including Jean Simmons, Clive Revill, and Adolph Caesar. The movie revolves around Hrundi V. Bakshi, a well-meaning but awkward and accident-prone actor from India who inadvertently becomes the recipient of an invitation to a high-profile Hollywood party. This unfortunate event sets in motion a series of chaotic events that culminate in an evening of mayhem. The story begins on the day of the party, with Hrundi V. Bakshi, a hapless and endearing actor, arriving on the set of a Western film where he is a cast member. Despite his best efforts to blend in, Hrundi struggles to grasp even the simplest tasks, leading to a series of mishaps on set. One of the film's producers, Dr. Durkas, attempts to reason with Hrundi about his antics, but Hrundi inadvertently receives an invitation to the party at his mansion, meant for none other than the renowned Dr. Durkas. Upon arriving at the mansion of film producer Dr. Durkas, Hrundi is greeted by the party's hostess, Mrs. Durkas, who is delighted to meet the actor. However, things quickly go awry as Hrundi knocks over a nearby candelabra, setting fire to a lavish centerpiece that catches the attention of the film's famous guests. The evening descends into chaos as Hrundi, in his naivety and clumsiness, mistakes one guest for another, accidentally shoots the host with a crossbow, causes a massive fire in the kitchen, and gets himself mistaken for an exotic guest, leading to more misunderstandings. The party, once a highly anticipated event, spirals out of control, with each guest becoming increasingly exasperated by Hrundi's antics. The film's director, Mr. Capricorn, is baffled by the strange goings-on, while Dr. Durkas, who finally recognizes the chaos caused by the misinvited actor, attempts to intervene in an attempt to salvage what little is left of the evening. As the night wears on, Hrundi continues to cause mayhem, inadvertently offending the film's leading lady, inadvertently causing the destruction of the priceless artifacts in Dr. Durkas' mansion, and even causing a minor commotion with a nearby gun. The climax of the film comes when an embarrassed Dr. Durkas manages to usher Hrundi out of the party, only for Hrundi to accidentally set fire to the mansion's garden, leaving it in ashes. The film ends with Hrundi back on the set of the Western film, still attempting to fit in but ending up causing more trouble. The film's director, Mr. Capricorn, finally has had enough and attempts to get rid of Hrundi for good, but in a final twist, the latter ends up landing a role in the very same film that was in production, as one of the lead actors walks off set. The Party is a hilarious, entertaining film, with Sellers at his most lovable and inept.