A NICE INDIAN BOY

US, 2024, 96 minutes, Colour.

Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, Harish Patel, Peter S.Kim, Sas Goldberg, Sean Amsing.

Directed by Roshan Sethi.

A film with a great deal of heart. It is often very funny, witty, but a very serious theme for a romantic comedy. The two central characters are gay.

There have been many films about Indian communities in Britain, religious background, arranged marriages, lavish wedding celebrations. This time we are in the US. But, initially the same themes, opening with a huge wedding celebration. But, quietly observing everything, not participating much, is the brother of the bride. And, of course, everybody cheerfully commenting to him: “you’re next!” Which is the last thing he wants to hear.

He is Naveen, played with great charm, a way with words, but always with diffidence, by Karan Soni. We are always on his side even when he is too reticent, too self-conscious, too much moving aside. Six years after the wedding, he is a successful doctor, his good friend, outgoing and camp, played by Peter S.Kim.

The film has a lot to say about Indian culture, highlighting religious prayer and devotion, the reality of arranged marriages and spouses adjusting. The two parents in the film are very strong, a dominant and forthright mother who wants to be empathetic, a reticent father, traditional, quiet and often disappointed. But the daughter who married at the opening, is separating from her husband, very 21^st-century forceful.

In prayer at a shrine of Ganesh, Naveen encounters a photographer, Jay, Jonathan Groff, who takes portraits of the hospital staff, a mutual attraction, played out with an emphasis on the humanity of each of the partners, appreciating each other, affection, love, challenges. And, not the least, is the white American, adopted by an Indian couple, dealing with Naveen’s family. There are quite a number of awkward meetings, calamitous family meals.

However, the audience knows that this is going in a reconciliation direction, some fine encounters with the parents, the bitter sister having to face family realities, the acceptance of J into the family. And, comparison with the opening of the film, another lavish Indian wedding.

There had been a number of romantic comedies with gay themes but this is a film which most audiences could well appreciate, whatever their approach to gay marriage, thoughtful, dealing with day-to-day realities of gay orientation and commitment.

1. A pleasing romantic comedy, comic, witty, serious?
2. The American setting, Indian culture in America, family, arranged marriages, religious perspectives, and weddings?
3. The film in chapters, the headings, bright Indian colours and designs? The lavish backgrounds, costumes and decor, especially for the weddings?
4. The musical score, Indian traditions, American songs? Dance?
5. The opening, the wedding, lavish, the bride and groom, ceremonies, dancing? The family and friends?
6. Naveen, quiet in the background, sitting, the narrative, his being gay, not out, everybody telling him that he was next? The touch of depression?
7. Six years later, Naveen as a doctor, his friend, extroverted gay, comments? The work in the hospital, Naveen serious, with the patients, the taking of the photo, Jay as the photographer? Naveen going to the temple, Ganesh, his prayer, Jay coming in, his prayer and reverence? The recognition during the photo session?
8. Jake, his story, orphan, adopted by the Indian couple, being gay, his photography, his exhibition, the gay subjects, the photo with his parents, the impact on Naveen? The going out together, the gay bar, conversation, friendship?
9. The film as Naveen’s overcoming his lack of self-confidence, his withdrawing, giving himself to his work, the visits to his family, the meals, his sister, critical, and her husband encountering Naveen and Jay? Her wanting a divorce? The meal, the discussions, the parents, the reactions? Later inviting Jay to dinner, the sister and her sabotaging the relationship, Jay leaving, the effect on Naveen?
10. The portrait of the parents, the family background, the arranged marriage, the mother saying she had adjusted, the life together, her strong opinions, forthright, watching the gay television channel for her son, but interfering, especially with her daughter? The father, his life, quiet, traditional, relationship with his children, the issue of homosexuality?
11. Naveen, the discussions with his family, some understanding, his greater confidence? The relationship with Jay, the sexual encounter, moving in, their life together, going out, sharing, Jay drawing Naveen out of himself? Jay and the satisfaction of the relationship?
12. The break, the possibilities of coming together, the sisters intervention, the role of the parents, the father going to see Jay’s photo exhibition? The encounter in the kitchen, Jay and the suggestions for cooking? Greater reconciliation?
13. The proposal, the planning for the wedding, Indian style, the range of friends, Jay and the couple who always stood by him, Naveen’s co-worker and his mother?
14. The Joy of the wedding, the celebration, Indian style, American style, happy ending?
15. Again romantic comedy for all audiences focusing on humanity, relationships, love?