God exists and he is Indian! This ‘fact’ is just one of the many delights to relish in this Bollywood fantasy which is an inventive blend of Mary Poppins meets The Sound of Music.

“It’s not easy being God!” the Supreme Being (Rishi Kapoor) sighs, after singing a song with his pretty angels in Heaven and making the difficult decision to send his favourite, the mischievous Geeta (Rani Mukherji) to Earth in order to unite a family. Geeta cycles down a rainbow on her bicycle and arrives as the new nanny at the home of Ranbeer (Saif Ali Khan), the stern guardian of four adorable orphans.

Forget the preposterous predictable plot: Kunal Kohli’s understated direction and consistently imaginative witty script results in a technically-polished crowd pleaser which can rival any recent Disney feature. Its combination of superior Indian CGI effects, top-notch animation and live action results in a skilful family entertainer. When last did you see a film with a song featuring a dancing T-Rex?

Rani Mukherji dominates as the bubbly nanny who transforms the lives of the kids and finds love with her human employer. She proves, yet again, that she is Bollywood’s queen bee. Khan, as the boring boss, is a commanding dignified presence. Amisha Patel provides ample eye-candy support as an Indian bimbo. She is a natural: she does not have to act.

Best of all are the four youngsters who are not the usual irritating film kids that you want to punch: they are adorable and credible. There’s a surprisingly loving depth to each of their characters especially Iqbal, the Sikh kiddie who dresses in a Superman outfit with the appropriate headgear.

There are some serious undertones behind the frivolity. Kohli’s film addresses the universal theme of redemption, forgiveness and atonement which is achieved via love and fun. It also is unapologetic in its portrayal of a modern progressive India which certainly is shining.

Its undemanding slick entertainment which borders on mawkish sentimentality at times but Kohli keeps the sugary content under control and wraps it all up to the very end in an appropriately warm magical glow. The sheer exuberance on display results in a film that is, as Mary Poppins references stated, ‘practically perfect in every way’.

Director: Kunal Kohli, PG, 140 mins, Subtitles

Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherji, Rishi Kapoor, Amisha Patel.

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