A Nice Indian Boy

Like everyone else around him, all Naveen wants is to find someone to fall in love with. While tip-toeing around his family, colleagues, and the world, his life is changed when he meets Jay. Now, for the sake of love, Naveen must get out of his comfort zone and do what must be done.

This is a terrific romantic comedy that many people, especially young South Asians, can relate to, regardless of sexual orientation. The story explores more than the couple's relationship. It examines arranged marriages versus love marriages, the meaning of love, and the anxiety and trepidation immigrant parents feel in modern society and when connecting with their adult children. The film encompasses the entire range of human emotions while keeping it light and funny. The only drawback is that some background knowledge of Bollywood is necessary to fully appreciate it. The one-hour and thirty-six-minute investment in this film is well worth it and should be seen as soon as possible.

Not so sure about the "boy" part, but he's definitely Nice. Hilarious, smart and deep to boot.

I swear I spent half this movie laughing and the other, in tears. It's not the most original, funniest or heartfelt romcom I've seen...it was just plain REAL.

I had no idea former Taxi Driver of Deadpool Karan Soni could carry a movie. And while he does seem like the main character, really this was a major ensemble cast. All with perfect chemistry and, again, realism. Each character truly had to go through an arc. They did, very successfully.

No coming out story here. It's already long-since established Naveen (Karan Soni) is both single and out to his family. Eventually, he meets Jay and this would surely prove love-at-first-sight for me. Of course, there's gonna be bumps - Note: those awesome arcs.

I loved this movie. Again, it's not groundbreaking and won't change cinema. It's just incredibly funny, mostly thanks to Karan Soni and his deadpan looks that say a thousand words.

I bought this movie completely cold - with the exception of knowing it's about an Indian Family, a white boyfriend and LGBTQ+ themes. I'm glad I did. I would very much like to rewatch this multiple more times.

And I hope Karan Soni will get more big roles. He really has genius comedic timing.

***

Final Thoughts: On a personal level, yeah, yeah, it does help I already had a major crush on Karan Soni since I saw him in Deadpool 1. In fact, he was a highlight in that movie already jam-packed with hundreds of highs. He was both cute, charismatic and enormously funny. Was? Sorry, definitely still is.

"A Nice Indian Boy" is the warm hug of a film we didn't know we desperately needed.

It's tender, hilarious, and deeply heartfelt - a love story that doesn't just center queerness, but roots it in culture, tradition, and family in a way that feels authentic rather than tokenized. Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff have electric chemistry, the kind that sneaks up on you and suddenly has you grinning like a fool by the third act.

The script is sharp without trying too hard, blending laugh-out-loud moments with quiet emotional punches that land right in the chest. And let's talk about the parents - nuanced, endearing, and refreshingly real. No cardboard villains here, just humans trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world.

In a time when representation still feels like a checkbox for most studios, A Nice Indian Boy feels like a film made with genuine love - love for its characters, love for its culture, and love for queer people trying to carve out space in the mess of tradition and identity.

Final verdict: A total gem. Add it to your must-watch list immediately. Then rewatch it with your mom.

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.

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. 💚