A unique romantic comedy directed by Roshan Sethi, an Indian-origin doctor and filmmaker, is ready to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival (LFF). Titled ‘A Nice Indian Boy’, the film delves into themes of love, culture, and identity. It will be available during the festival on Tuesday and Thursday.

The story follows Naveen Gavaskar, played by Indian-American actor Karan Soni, and Jay Kurundkar, portrayed by American actor Jonathan Groff. Jay, who is adopted by Indian immigrants and raised in a traditional Maharashtrian family, crosses paths with Naveen in an unexpected setting—a temple.

Their shared passion for Bollywood, particularly the 1990s romantic classic ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ), sets the stage for a heartwarming and humorous journey. The two characters’ bond grows, leading them toward a vibrant, cross-cultural “big fat Indian wedding.”

 

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Sethi, who adapted the screenplay from a play by Madhuri Shekar, shared how personal this project was for him. “I grew up with ‘DDLJ’, like many Indians abroad, but it came to me as part of this script,” he said. The original play saw the first age in the United States in 2012. But its cinematic adaptation brings fresh elements to the table, weaving in both cultural nostalgia and modern relationships.

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Shot in just 18 days in Vancouver, Canada, ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ is a feat for an independent film. Sethi emphasized the current struggles that filmmakers face, particularly in bringing diverse stories to the screen. “Independent film is in a tough place right now, especially in America. It’s hard to make a movie with a diverse cast, and that this film exists with a non-negligible budget is a miracle in itself,” he said.

Sethi, who balances filmmaking with his career as a doctor, further addressed the challenges of the film industry. “Hollywood is one of the most racist industries in America,” he stated, “and I hope stories like this get seen by as wide an audience as possible.”

He expressed concern that there is a “return to non-diversity” happening within Hollywood, making projects like ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ more critical than ever in terms of representation.

What makes this film even more personal is the connection between the director and the lead actor, Karan Soni, who is Sethi’s real-life partner. The filmmaker revealed how his own experiences informed the film.

“I was closeted until around six years ago, and it took me a long time to come out,” Sethi shared. “I was preoccupied with my work in the hospital and different careers, which kept me from facing the truth about myself. But after I came out, I met Karan, and our love story found its way into the film.”