Movies have always had a way of connecting people and communities, as well as challenging the typical norms of society. While everyone loves a classic rom-com, things go up a notch when a movie tries to break barriers by telling stories that, in one way or another, push against societal taboos, especially when it comes to love, acceptance, and identity.
Roshan Sethi’s A Nice Indian Boy is such a movie that promises to bring a refreshing take on romance by exploring a same-sex relationship, that too with a mix of traditional Indian family values. With changing times, more and more filmmakers have embraced such storylines.
And if the buzz for A Nice Indian Boy is to be believed, it will not just bring a creative story out in the open but also a hint of comedy. On the same subject, let’s know more about the movie as well as its release date, cast, and a special Justin Baldoni connection it has.
When can you watch ‘A Nice Indian Boy’?
After much anticipation and excitement, the much-awaited romantic comedy movie A Nice Indian Boy has finally announced its release date of April 4, 2025, via Variety. Based on the acclaimed play by Madhuri Shekar, the movie will give the audience a fresh and heartfelt take on love, family, and cultural expectations. While the U.S. release date is confirmed, fans in other countries must wait as international release dates are yet to be announced.
But if the growing buzz around the movie is to be believed, it won’t take long before it reaches a global audience. Since its festival run at SXSW and the BFI Film Festival, the movie has received widespread praise. It has also been applauded for its LGBTQIA+ representation. Not only that, but to make matters more interesting, the film currently holds an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, further cementing its status as a must-watch rom-com.
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The movie is directed by Roshan Sethi, who himself came out about six years ago. He also detailed via Gay Times that A Nice Indian Boy is deeply personal to him as it focuses on celebrating love, acceptance, and family belonging. He added:
I was closeted only six years ago, so it’s surreal on a personal level to have made this particular romantic comedy about love and acceptance and family belonging. I am excited.
The project is also backed by actress Mindy Kaling, whose involvement has only added to the movie’s anticipation. With all of these elements, A Nice Indian Boy is shaping up to be one of the most thought-provoking movies of 2025.
‘A Nice Indian Boy’ also boasts a stellar ensemble
After the release date, let’s dive deeper into the stellar cast that brings the movie to life. Leading the way is actor Karan Soni. Many people might recognize him as he played Dopinder in all three Deadpool movies, with the last being Deadpool & Wolverine, released in 2024. Not only that, but he also voiced Pavitr Prabhakar/Spider-Man India in the animated movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
It might come as a surprise to many, but he’s actually in a relationship with director Roshan Sethi, and the duo has also worked together in the movie 7 Days. In A Nice Indian Boy, he plays the role of the shy and serious doctor Naveen. His fiancé is played by actor Jonathan Groff, who is quite popular in Hollywood.
Besides being an actor, Groff is also a singer and has won awards such as a Tony Award and nominated for a Grammy and a Primetime Emmy Award. He has also been a part of projects such as Glee, Looking, and Mindhunter, to name a few. In A Nice Indian Boy, he plays the role of Jay, an artist and an orphan, who is very different from the typical “nice Indian boy” Naveen’s family expected.
The movie also has a great supporting cast that adds humor to the story. Zarna Garg plays Megha Gavaskar, Naveen’s caring but traditional mother, while Harish Patel plays his father, Archit Gavaskar. Unita Mani takes on the role of Arundhathi Gavaskar.
Other actors in the movie include Peter S. Kim as Paul, Sas Goldberg as Billie, Sean Amsing as Neel, and Jason Bradstock as Polly Parton. James Cousineau also makes an appearance as a wedding guest.
Let’s decode the hilarious first trailer of the movie
The movie is all set to win the audience’s hearts with its interesting take on love, family values, and humor. The official trailer was recently released by Wayfarer Studios, offering viewers a sneak peek into the small but impactful moments that define the upcoming movie. At the center of the story is Naveen, played by actor Karan Soni.
He is a mild-mannered yet socially awkward doctor who finds himself incredibly smitten with the confident Jay, played by Jonathan Groff. The teaser also details Naveen’s nervous attempts at dating as well as his first encounter with Jay, a free-spirited photographer. Sparks immediately fly between them, marking the beginning of an awkward and adorable romance.
As their relationship gets serious, Naveen takes the next big step—introducing Jay to his traditional Indian parents. This is where the real comedy of the movie begins. The teaser showcases hilarious moments, as well as cultural clashes that shake up the entire family. It also presents brutally honest conversations, along with Naveen’s parents’ attempts to be supportive despite their conservative values.
Their unfiltered reactions create scenes that are both funny and deeply touching.
Beyond the comedy and romance, the film also explores emotional depth as Naveen struggles to balance his love for Jay with the expectations of his family. Meanwhile, Jay brings a unique perspective, having already found acceptance in a world that wasn’t always welcoming. This contrast adds another layer to the story, making it a must-watch for everyone.
Why filming ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ was Roshan Sethi’s lifelong dream?
Roshan Sethi has put immense time and effort into making A Nice Indian Boy. For him, it’s not just another rom-com—it’s a deeply personal story that reflects his own journey of love, self-acceptance, and identity. In an interview, the filmmaker shared that he once believed he would have to hide his identity forever.
Growing up, he was a massive fan of Bollywood’s grand wedding sequences. But despite this, he never felt represented in them. He added via Sky News:
I grew up on larger-than-life straight weddings in Bollywood. I loved them desperately – and have grown also to resent them for their narrowness, for the fact that I was obsessed with stories I could never be part of.
With A Nice Indian Boy, he reclaims that element, giving LGBTQ+ love stories the celebration they deserve. However, making the movie wasn’t without its challenges. Hollywood’s reluctance to fund such films meant that Sethi had to cast a well-known white actor to secure financing.
Despite this, he used interracial romance to challenge Hollywood’s norms and create something more refreshing and meaningful.
While the movie is adapted from a play, Sethi also incorporates elements from his own life. Most notably, he made Naveen a doctor as a nod to his own background as a practicing physician.
Jonathan Groff had no idea that Karan Soni was gay
When Jonathan Groff signed on to play Jay in A Nice Indian Boy, he had no idea that his on-screen partner, Karan Soni, was gay, as he tells Just Jared. Not only that, but he was also unaware that Soni and director Roshan Sethi were in a long-term relationship.
Groff was one of the first actors to be cast in the movie. When discussions began about who would play Naveen, he immediately suggested Soni’s name without realizing he was not only gay but also the director’s real-life partner. While Sethi had initially considered casting a white actor to secure funding when he pitched the movie to Groff, the actor immediately said yes.
The movie has an interesting Justin Baldoni connection
As A Nice Indian Boy gears up for its theatrical release on April 4, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding its premise and star-studded cast. However, one lesser-known connection to the movie is through actor Justin Baldoni, who serves as one of its producers.
The actor, well known for his work on and off-screen, is a co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, one of the production companies backing the movie. Currently, the studio is making waves in the media, having produced last year’s box office hit It Ends With Us, which grossed over $350 million globally via Box Office Mojo.
However, the film has also been in the spotlight due to the ongoing lawsuit between its stars, Blake Lively and Baldoni. The entire drama surrounding the duo is well known, and while nothing is officially confirmed, the actor’s absence from promotions raised many eyebrows.
However, Lively put all speculation to rest when she filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of serious charges and claiming he had ruined her reputation.
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Baldoni, however, did not take this lightly and responded with a countersuit, accusing both Lively and Ryan Reynolds of defamation. Since then, media headlines have been buzzing with updates on their legal battle, with new developments constantly emerging and making their way to the public.
Why ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ is a must-watch?
Movies have always played a huge role in connecting people and challenging societal norms head-on, and A Nice Indian Boy does exactly that. Directed by Roshan Sethi, this romantic comedy brings a fresh yet heartwarming take on family, love, and cultural expectations. Unlike other rom-coms, this movie explores a same-sex relationship while also highlighting the core values of a traditional Indian family.
Starring in lead roles, actors Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff portray Naveen and Jay, showing how two very different people can find common ground and fall in love. Apart from this, what also surprised many was the fact that Sethi partially based the movie on his own life. While this personal touch will definitely do wonders for the film, the 100% Rotten Tomatoes score has only solidified its status.
A Nice Indian Boy is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 4, 2025.
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