A Nice Indian Boy is a romantic comedy directed by Roshan Sethi, co-creator of The Resident, and based on Madhuri Shekar’s acclaimed play. The story follows Naveen Gavaskar. Naveen, a reserved and gentle doctor who, through happenstance, meets the love of his life, Jay Kurundkar. Jay, however, is a white man who was adopted by Indian parents. The film follows the couple through the ups and downs of life, culture, and planning the ultimate wedding!

The rom-com genre has been given a bad rep and often been criticized over the years.. Throughout the 90s and early 2000’s the genre went from genuine, heartfelt stories about self-discovery, as well as the complexities of love, into formulaic, superficial fluff. The genre used to be about self-discovery and the transformative power of love. I mean, truly, what is more profound and consequential than love? Now, we’re lucky if we get a decent rom-com every decade. That is where A Nice Indian Boy comes in.

A Nice Indian Boy Revitalizes the True Spirit of Rom-Coms

Going into the film, I was expecting the story to be lighthearted and fluff. However, after watching and crying multiple times, I can confidently say this film has rocketed into my second favorite movie of the year. It has also earned a spot in my top 10 rom-coms of all time. A Nice Indian Boy isn’t just another rom-com. It’s a beautifully layered, emotionally rich story that breaks down cultural barriers. It also explores the many facets of love, family, and personal growth.

Karan Soni (Deadpool) as Naveen and Jonathan Groff (Frozen) together are an absolute delight. Watching the two of them navigate the cultural similarities and differences, as well as the struggles for acceptance within Naveen’s family, was so important. In a world of constant change, every moment in this story feels deeply poignant and reflective of the complexities of love and family.

That said, some of my favorite moments are with the parents, played by Zarna Garg and Harish Patel. As children and adults, we make assumptions about our parents’ lives. We rarely have access to the intimate dynamics between them as a couple or to the personal, vulnerable thoughts they may have as parents. The way this film taps into those unseen, quiet moments between the characters’ parents added a layer of depth I didn’t realize I was missing. These raw, tender exchanges revealed so much about the complexity of parenthood and marriage, giving the audience a glimpse into the untold stories that often get overlooked in family narratives.

A Nice Indian Boy comes to theaters on Friday, April 4, 2025! Go see it!