In one sentence: A Nice Indian Boy follows Naveen’s efforts to find a partner acceptable to his family, which becomes complicated when he meets Jay.

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I used to love romantic comedies, but over the years they have become tired, predictable and a little too alike. A Nice Indian Boy has changed that for me. With its blend of humour, heart and sincerity, it has reminded me why I fell in love with the genre in the first place.

Adapted from the play of the same name, A Nice Indian Boy introduces us to Naveen (Karan Soni), an Indian doctor living in the United States. When we first meet him at his sister’s joyous and colourful wedding, it is clear he feels the pressure to settle down. Naveen is gay, and though many around him seem unaware, his immediate family is accepting on the surface. They watch gay TV shows, discuss the movie, Milk, and engage in open conversation. Yet, as Naveen tells us, they have never truly seen him be gay.

The story unfolds in chapters, a structure I have always enjoyed and one that works very well here. Early on, we meet Jay (Jonathan Groff), a confident and charismatic photographer who attends the same Hindu temple as Naveen. By chance, he also happens to be taking professional headshots at the hospital where Naveen works. Their first encounter is filled with both awkwardness and chemistry, setting the tone for what follows.

Their first date is a mix of charm and embarrassment, a viewing of Jay’s favourite film, the Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), followed by drinks where the conversation deepens. Groff even has a moment to show off his impressive vocal talents in an albeit cringeworthy manner.

We soon learn that Jay, though white, was raised by Indian foster parents. His love for Indian culture runs deep, and in many ways he considers it his own. As Jay and Naveen’s relationship develops, their chemistry feels authentic. Interestingly, Groff personally requested that Soni play opposite him, unaware at the time that he was gay, and even less aware that he was the director’s (Roshan Sethi) boyfriend. This behind-the-scenes detail gives their on-screen dynamic an extra layer of authenticity, and raises interesting questions about acting, identity and representation in LGBTQ cinema.

When Jay and Naveen become engaged, however, the story takes a more complex turn. Naveen is not troubled to tell his parents that he is marrying a man, but by the fact that he is marrying a white man. This opens up thoughtful questions about cultural identity, belonging and expectation.

Naveen’s sister, Arundhathi (Sunita Mani), adds another layer to these themes through her own storyline, which explores tradition and the idea of what a good marriage should look like. Meanwhile, Naveen’s parents (Zara Garg and Harish Patel) bring a balance of humour and poignancy, representing a generational divide that feels both specific and universal.

A Nice Indian Boy is an absolute joy to watch. It is heartfelt, funny, culturally rich and refreshingly sincere. I had a smile on my face from start to finish. The film not only restores faith in the romantic comedy genre but also carves out space for mainstream LGBTQ stories.

★★★★½ (4.5/5)