Get ready for a fresh take on love with "A Nice Indian Boy," a groundbreaking gay romantic comedy that is captivating audiences at the BFI London Film Festival. This exciting film features the talents of Jonathan Groff, known for his stunning performances in "Mindhunter," "Glee," and "Doctor Who," alongside Karan Soni from the "Deadpool" franchise, and is directed by Roshan Sethi.

Set to challenge the status quo in Hollywood, "A Nice Indian Boy" tackles both LGBTQ+ and South Asian representation, highlighting an intriguing cross-cultural love story that began its journey back in 2019 with Levantine Films securing Madhuri Shekar’s hit play and transforming it into a screenplay. After impressing producers with his prior work in "7 Days," Sethi was brought on board in 2021 and recruited his real-life partner, Soni, to take on a lead role. Groff's involvement came after he viewed "7 Days" and was drawn to the project.

The narrative centers around the reserved doctor Naveen (Soni), who brings his fiancé Jay (Groff) home to meet his traditional Indian family, sparking a blend of cultural dilemmas and heartfelt family dynamics as they prepare for the wedding of their dreams. Soni reflects on this personal project, stating, “It was probably the most personal thing we’ll get to make,” emphasizing the importance of authenticity in portraying their experiences.

Interestingly, the character of Naveen was not originally scripted as a doctor. However, upon collaboration between Sethi and Soni, it felt right to infuse a more personal touch reflective of their lives—especially with Sethi being a qualified medical professional himself.

While addressing representation, Sethi boldly remarks, “If you are making a movie that reflects your lived experience, whether or not that’s a stereotype is irrelevant.” He also pushes back against the notion that diversity films must fit within narrow parameters, noting, “The reality of our world is that we’re all mixed up with each other in tangled, messy ways,” and that their film embodies this complex intermingling of cultures.

Groff, who portrays a white character adopted by Indian parents, faced challenges in immersing himself in a culture that was unfamiliar to him. He prepared by watching iconic Bollywood films, including the timeless "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ), which made a significant impact on his performance. A standout moment in the film features Groff’s character singing a beloved song from DDLJ, sparking excitement and joy among the cast.

Despite cultural nuances, Groff found the family dynamics resonant and familiar, proving that love and familial bonds transcend cultural barriers: “I couldn’t believe how familiar it all felt... Families are families, no matter what culture you’re in,” he shares.

Production, however, was fraught with challenges due to a tight schedule, with only four weeks for pre-production and a mere 21 days of shooting. Financing the film was another hurdle, as Sethi disclosed, “We struggled for years.” He pointed out the difficulties in securing funding, noting that the actors' backgrounds often led Hollywood to overlook their potential, calling the industry “one of the most racist industries in America.”

For both Sethi and Soni, this film symbolizes a personal triumph. Sethi reflects on his journey from being closeted to now directing a film so intimately tied to his experiences, while Soni highlights the significance of landing a lead role in such a personal project, something he never dreamt of a decade ago.

"A Nice Indian Boy" is set for theatrical release in early 2024, accompanied by plans for streaming shortly afterward. Early screenings have garnished positive reactions, especially from diverse audiences. Sethi notes, “The highest scoring audience was always white women,” highlighting the film's broad appeal.

As they prepare for its release, the filmmakers harbor hopes that their story will resonate widely and see beyond typical niche audience boundaries, striving for a revitalization of storytelling where diverse narratives are celebrated and embraced as a vibrant part of art.

Don't miss your chance to see “A Nice Indian Boy” — it promises to be a film that not only entertains but also sparks conversations about love, identity, and the power of representation.