as Muriel Donnelly: A former housekeeper who travels to India for cheap hip surgery and eventually finds a new purpose.

as Evelyn Greenslade: A recently widowed woman struggling with her husband's debts who finds a new career in India.

Upon arriving, the retirees find that the "luxury" hotel is actually a dilapidated building run by the young, overly optimistic Sonny Kapoor ( Dev Patel ). While the environment is a major culture shock, the residents slowly adapt to the vibrant life in India, discovering that new beginnings are possible at any age.

and Ronald Pickup as Madge Hardcastle and Norman Cousins: Two singletons looking for romance and a way to relive their youth. Key Themes

The film is celebrated for its stellar ensemble of veteran actors:

as Graham Dashwood: A retired High Court judge returning to India to seek out a long-lost love from his youth.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a 2011 British comedy-drama directed by John Madden and based on the novel These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach. The story follows a diverse group of British retirees who decide to "outsource" their retirement to what they believe is a newly restored, luxury hotel in Jaipur, India.

as Douglas Ainslie: A laid-back man trying to make the best of a difficult retirement alongside his cynical wife, Jean ( Penelope Wilton ).