A Nice Indian Boy

Rarely does a film come along that is as effortlessly charming, deeply heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud funny as A Nice Indian Boy. This beautifully crafted romantic dramedy takes a fresh, sincere, and utterly delightful look at love, family, and cultural expectations-all wrapped in a warm, feel-good package that will leave audiences smiling long after the credits roll.

Directed with an intimate yet playful touch, the film follows Naveen, a young Indian-American man whose picture-perfect romance with the charismatic and kindhearted Keshav is complicated by one thing-convincing his traditional parents that this is, indeed, their nice Indian boy. What unfolds is a story brimming with wit, warmth, and moments of pure emotional resonance as Naveen and Keshav navigate family, tradition, and the beautifully messy journey of love.

A joyful, poignant, and utterly captivating film, A Nice Indian Boy is a triumph-one that deserves to be celebrated and cherished.

This movie will probably grow in cult status as the perfect Indian gay rom-com. From perfect beats from longing and insecurity, to meeting the one, to dealing with the rigidities of South Asian culture in a humorous, compassionate, and yet authentic way this movie has touched my heart. The two gay leads are fantastic. And the family is perfectly cast, including the angry face of the jealous sister! This movie is the fantasy of many gay men - to be loved, to be accepted, and to be celebrated just as we are. Add to this the poignancy of Indian and Pakistani men who deal with cultural prejudice to homosexuality, which is addressed and silenced directly in this movie, and you have a rom-com standout. Go see it. It will touch your heart, no matter what your sexuality or ethnicity is. 💚

"You know how things always get super weird whenever anything gay comes up? Well, I just thought I'd put everyone at ease by mentioning my white, Hindu, orphan, artist boyfriend. Mom? Dad? Do you want another son... who's white?"

I smiled from ear to ear from beginning to end. Well, with the exception of a few moments that I won't spoil here. It's nice to be reminded to watch films like this more often - films that are simply meant to make you feel good. There are no villains in this story, only the most lovely people you ever knew, who only mean well.

I adored everything from the ridiculously charming cast to the Bollywood soundtrack to the overly-sweet in-your-face message... because it was delivered with so much heart and care. I love how it pretty quickly morphed into something other else than a love story between two people but between a group of people. Rom-coms, I never spoke badly of you and if I did, I did not mean it.

Oh, and it's funny.

Oh, and it also has Sunita Mani, which is a nice bonus.

This movie reminds me elements from a movie I watched looonnng ago, A Touch of Pink (2004, a British film) but with little differences or depth.

If "A Touch of Pink" (2004) was a cheeky wink at cultural assimilation, then "A Nice Indian Boy" (2025) is a heartfelt embrace of it-albeit with a few awkward dance moves.

"A Touch of Pink" (2004): This film was a trailblazer, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a gay South Asian man in the early 2000s. It blended humor with poignant moments, featuring a young man navigating his identity amidst cultural expectations. The film's charm lay in its ability to balance comedy with the complexities of family and self-acceptance.

"A Nice Indian Boy" (2025): Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has evolved. Directed by Roshan Sethi, this film delves deeper into the intricacies of identity, love, and cultural heritage. It tells the story of Naveen, a gay Indian-American doctor, and his journey to introduce his white fiancé, Jay, to his traditional family. The film is lauded for its authentic portrayal of queer South Asian experiences and its exploration of family dynamics.

While "A Touch of Pink" was groundbreaking for its time, "A Nice Indian Boy" builds upon its foundation, offering a more nuanced and contemporary perspective. The latter's inclusion of Bollywood elements and its focus on familial relationships provide a richer narrative tapestry. However, some critics note that the chemistry between the leads and pacing issues slightly detract from its potential.

Both films are significant in their own right, reflecting the evolving journey of queer South Asian representation in cinema. "A Touch of Pink" paved the way, while "A Nice Indian Boy" continues the conversation, albeit with a few stumbles along the way.

From other reviews it seems this wasn't as universally adored as I'd have expected (homophobes aside)... but being the white half of a Pakistani (not Indian, admittedly) and White gay relationship - this struck so many chords that I was legit ugly crying at the end. That term is something I've never fully understood until now, but when the Mum is giving her speech and sort of alludes to hers and the Dad's relationship - I understood the phrase. My dog was alarmed by the gasping for air through the sobs.

I actually related way more to the Indian guy than the white guy, basically having an inert issue with showing emotion in front of family. So where some reviewers struggled with Karan Soni's performance, to me it was a very realistic part of his character. Him and Groff's juxtaposed personalities may not have the same chemistry shown in some on-screen relationships but they had the type of chemistry that befits these 2 types of characters, imo. Maybe one or 2 more scenes when they first move in together would've helped people buy into their love (I actually have no idea, the director did a great job imo and knows what he's doing).

Another reviewer criticised that there was no conflict. There IS conflict, but it comes from a realistic part of Soni's character development. It's not forced for the sake of it.

Bravo to literally everyone involved.

I love, love, LOVE this movie.