A Nice Indian Boy

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.

A Nice Indian Boy surprised me with how genuinely heartfelt and grounded it felt. The film doesn't try too hard-it just lets its characters breathe, and in doing so, it creates something tender and relatable.

The story strikes a delicate balance between cultural tradition and personal identity without feeling heavy-handed. What really stood out was the sincerity of the performances-there's warmth, humor, and real emotional depth, especially in the quieter moments.

It's a film about love, yes, but also about family, expectations, and the messy, beautiful process of learning how to be true to yourself. I appreciated that it didn't wrap everything up too neatly, yet still left me with a sense of hope.

Not every beat is perfect, and some scenes could've been tighter or more dynamic-but overall, it's a story that stays with you in a gentle, meaningful way.

Bottom line: Thoughtful, well-acted, and quietly moving. Definitely worth watching.

"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.

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.