www.gaytimes.com/culture/a-nice-indian-boy-gay-rom-com-receives-acclaim-with-100-on-rotten-tomatoes/
16th October 2024
A Nice Indian Boy, Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff’s upcoming gay romantic comedy, has received universal critical acclaim.
The film, which premiered earlier this year at SXSW, has been praised by critics in first reactions, with Collider describing it as a “queer love story that blows right past some of the heteronormative love stories that have been dropped on streamers in recent years”.
Led by Soni, known for his role as Dopinder in the Deadpool trilogy, A Nice Indian Boy follows the “socially-reserved doctor Naveen, who brings his fiancé Jay” – played by Looking star Jonathan Groff – “home to meet his traditional family”.
According to Variety, Naveen’s family must “contend with accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend and helping them plan the Indian wedding of their dreams”.
Boasting a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have lauded the humour and performances of Soni and Groff, as well as its refreshing representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
“A riotous, moving queer romantic comedy with a wildly unique premise. While it resembles many modern third-culture stories, it widens its scope in surprising ways that reflect and refract both personal and cinematic identity,” wrote Mashable.
indiewire celebrated how A Nice Indian Boy “defies expectations, even as it follows a traditional love story structure” while Cinema Daily US said it captures “the specifics of one culture in a way that will please those who know it well and remind anyone else of their own heritage and traditions.”
Although Roger Ebert criticised its “disappointingly sitcom-ish” structure and visuals, they praised director Roshan Sethi and writer Eric Randall for their “obvious and contagious” love of the characters.
You can check out more reactions here.
A Nice Indian Boy will play in the UK at the London BFI Film Festival.
A theatrical release is expected in early 2025.