User reviews

What a relief to watch a queer romcom that doesn't focus specifically on coming out. At this 2025 film's outset, the parents of the main protagonist Naveen, a competent albeit socially awkward doctor, have already accepted his identity as a gay man. The challenge is that being raised in a traditional Indian family doesn't allow any latitude for open discussions of feelings much less topics like dating, relationships, or marriage. Enter Jay, a white photographer who was raised by Indian parents, and their blossoming romance hits a major snag in Naveen's inability to share anything significant about Jay to his parents. This is where Roshan Sethi's fluid, unexpected direction and Eric Randall's smart screenplay make welcome swerves into uncomfortable territory about social and cultural acceptance and unspoken familial estrangement. The cast is extremely likable starting with Karan Soni as the constantly befuddled Naveen. He has genuine chemistry with Jonathan Groff whose natural charm as Jay feeds effectively into his open-hearted character, even though his role felt somewhat underwritten. As Naveen's parents, stand-up comic Zarna Garg and deadpan Harish Patel almost steal the film with funny, heartfelt performances that pull at the heartstrings late in the film. Peter S. Kim provides welcome comic relief as Naveen's flamboyant colleague Paul, and Sunita Mani brings a nice sharpness to Naveen's resentful sister Arundhathi. Even with obvious echoes of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", the climactic wedding scene culminates into a well executed catharsis that had me genuinely teary-eyed. Highly recommended.

Naveem is a young man of Indian / Hindu heritage, working as a doctor. 6 years earlier, as his sister gives up her career to wed (parent introduced) a nice Indian boy, everyone is telling Naveem he is next. A mild problem is that Naveem is gay. His parents have different reactions - his father doesn't want to talk about it, while his mother overcompensates, obsessed with watching Out TV.

Jay (Jonathan Groff) is an orphan adopted and raised by (now deceased) Hindu parents, and is currently a freelance photographic artist. Naveem 1st spots Jay at temple, where they are praying to Ganesh, and soon after meets him as the hospital's ID photographer. A relationship develops, as they bond over the Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. However, when Naveem introduces Jay to his parents, he tries too hard to not upset them, causing friction with Jay.

It took me some time to realize that the action took place somewhere in the Indian diaspora community in the west. The location is unstated, though it was shot in British Columbia, Canada. I was also puzzling over the foster parent / adoption situation of Jay, and the aversion to the 9/11 date for the planned same-sex wedding.

There are references to the Indian culture, especially the practice of (semi-) arranged marriage, and the adaptions required.

The set decorations are tightly packed. It is no accident that there are various images of Ganesh. Also, a family photo of Jay's is included in Jay's art exhibition, which features male erotica.

This is a worthwhile new take on the gay rom-com genre.

I'll start this review by admitting that I watched it while writing. I'm working on my novel, so I guess there's nothing wrong with putting on a light movie while working. But 10 minutes into the movie I decided to watch it seriously. There's something about the awkwardness of the main character that I couldn't ignore. And it turned out to be true. This is a great movie, which incorporates Indian elements without coming across as heavy and patronizing. In fact, I understand why Indian culture has to be included. Because from the beginning to the end I felt the element of family that was strengthened by elements of customs. And more deeply, the movie also discusses her father and mother who got married because they were arranged. So I wasn't surprised at all when the main character said they knew what love was. But this movie doesn't try to patronize or judge. The script gets into the characters, offering their perspectives that aren't always right. But these characters are also trying hard to be good, for themselves and also for their families.