Rom-coms are back, and they’re better than ever. The once cliché-ridden genre, popular only with hopeless romantics and teenage girls, gets a much needed update with the release of A Nice Indian Boy. Roshan Sethi brings us the magical love-story between two young men, Naveen (Karan Soni) and Jay (Jonathan Groff) who come from oddly similar backgrounds, but with stark differences that they must overcome to find their version of happily ever after.
Naveen is the youngest son of a conventional Indian-American family, who in their eyes is almost perfect – a successful doctor, living in the city, working at a hospital, with only one small hitch stopping him from completing all the elements of their version of a dream life for him… While they’re wishing for a big wedding to the perfect girl, he’s wishing for a big wedding, to the perfect guy. In walks Jay, a white gay photographer, bursting with creativity and joy. Big hearted, Jay quickly falls in love with the awkward Naveen, who remains skeptical of his intentions as he is confused by how well-versed Jay is with Indian culture. Until he reveals that he was adopted at a young age and raised by an older Indian couple. Their love and support meant that Jay seems to live in a far more vivid and out-loud way than the reserved Naveen. As they begin to grow closer, Naveen unfurls like a flower in the glow of Jay’s warmth and unapologetic joie de vivre. However, there remains one rather particular part of Naveen’s life he just won’t share with Jay – his family.
All this comes to a head during one feverish fight, where both men realise that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, and agree to marry. This is it, the last frontier – Naveen finally invites Jay to meet his family. But! It wouldn’t be a rom-com without a classic misunderstanding, since he claims to have met Jay at the temple, his family are expecting Naveen to bring home ‘a nice Indian boy’. Hilarity and heartbreak ensue, with Naveen having to confront not only his inner hangups about his identity, but the misconceptions he and his family have about each other.
The strength of this film lies in two elements – the beautifully written story by Eric Randall and the pitch perfect acting by Soni and Groff.
The screenplay is unique and the love story is one that hasn’t been overly done before. It seems refreshingly honest and realistic in a way many queer romances are missing. There is also a beautiful sense of tension between the traditional values of Naveen’s family and his own discomfort with his own identity. Stereotypically these would be rejected by the other partner, but on the contrary – it’s Jay’s respect and value for the idea of family that forces Naveen to actually deal with the issues that have been lurking beneath the surface for so long. This unflinching examination of the clash of traditional ideals and modern values is handled with a heady mix of comedy and emotional sensitivity. All the melding of culture and tradition comes together in something that they both value, a wedding.
In addition to its divine story, the magic of this film comes from the professionalism and craft of its two leads. Soni is incredibly believable as the nervous Naveen, whereas Groff’s musical theatre training melds seamlessly with Jay’s over-the-top emotions and unyielding openness. With less skilled actors, these extremes might come off as naff caricatures, the experienced duo bring realism and relatability to both.
From an awkward first meeting a temple, to first dates watching Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, A Nice Indian Boy melds cultures, traditions and generations with humour and delicacy that results in an enthralling queer rom-com that will appeal to people from all walks of life. May it become a cult classic in its own right.
9/10
