A Nice Indian Boy (2025) - Film Review

      A Nice Indian Boy, 2025.

      Directed by Roshan Sethi.

      Featuring Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, Harish Patel, Peter S. Kim, Sean Amsing, Sas Goldberg, Sachin Sahel, and Dhirendra.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      When Naveen introduces his fiancé Jay to his traditional Indian family, they must navigate their acceptance of his white, orphaned artist boyfriend while preparing for the Indian wedding of their dreams. Director Roshan Sethi’s lighthearted and heartwarming film, A Nice Indian Boy, based on a screenplay by Eric Randall adapting Madhuri Shekar’s play, explores the love story between two Indians: Karan Soni’s Naveen Gavaskar and Jonathan Groff’s Jay Kurundkar. Although Jay was adopted by Indian parents when he was young, he embraced the culture and religion with respect. The film cleverly focuses not on the issue of cultural appropriation but rather uses it and other family dynamics to examine these traditions, their evolution, and a contemporary viewpoint.

      Working at a hospital, Naveen experiences a charming encounter with Jay on picture day, instantly drawn to him from across the waiting room. Shortly after, he finds Jay praying at a nearby temple, which confuses him until he learns about Jay's backstory during a date at a retro screening of the Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. This film is a cherished childhood favorite of Jay, teaching him values that resonate deeply and illustrating the dream wedding he envisions as an elaborate yet heartfelt family celebration. While their date goes relatively well, Naveen grapples with the challenge of coming out to his parents (portrayed by Zarna Garg and Harish Patel), who already suspect his sexuality, and he struggles to muster the courage to introduce Jay to them and express not just his sexuality but the kind of romance and marriage he desires against the backdrop of traditional values, especially as his sister Arundhathi (Sunita Mani) is set up for an arranged marriage.

      In a moment of urgency, Naveen reassures Jay that his parents are fairly liberal for traditionalists and claim they accept his sexuality. This is somewhat accurate, but humorously, he lists around 15 different things to avoid in front of his parents to prevent potential conflict. This showcases his anxiety in contrast to the easygoing nature of Jay, who is relaxed about both his sexuality and Indian traditions. Naturally, when Naveen refers to Jay as a nice Indian boy over the phone, he omits the fact that Jay is white, which could also be a point of contention for his parents.

      The storyline may feel familiar, relying on the exploration of each family member's perspectives, including whether the parents—who seem to have sprung from a sitcom with their loveless, indifferent demeanor—ever learned to truly love each other after their arranged marriage. It questions whether such a relationship can thrive in modern times through Arundhathi, who harbors resentment towards Naveen for being forced into tradition, while she was denied the chance to date whom she wished. Six years later, the parents have not significantly changed; they have somewhat resigned themselves to the idea that Naveen may never marry unless they accept his relationship with Jay. The survival of Naveen and Jay's relationship also hangs in the balance, but given the film's clichéd and predictable narrative, this isn't particularly suspenseful.

      Despite the immediate chemistry and sweetness between Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, the film evokes strong sitcom vibes, reinforced by its cinematography and lighting. The adaptation from a play perhaps contributes to this feeling. Some vibrant costumes and a lively dance number towards the film's conclusion add a spark, yet the overall cinematic essence feels lacking.

      Nevertheless, A Nice Indian Boy successfully capitalizes on the charm shared by its leads and offers a broader thematic exploration of the family across generations.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He serves as the Reviews Editor for Flickering Myth. Check here for new reviews and follow his BlueSky or Letterboxd.