 The ending is also slightly different from the original novel and for political correctness, some anachronistic snipes at the British Raj were inserted.The casting was also subject to controversy, with white actors playing local characters.The "New York Times" said "the plot rambles rather confusingly" and O'Toole "has a tendency to lurch about like some tipsy schoolmaster, but even he seems charmed by young Mr. Sheth" and that the film "still works nicely as family entertainment."