Deadpool Star Karan Soni and Mindhunter’s Jonathan Groff Share Why Bollywood ‘Feels So Gay’ Amid A Nice Indian Boy Release

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Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff are getting ready for an extravagant Indian gay wedding in their upcoming romantic comedy, titled “A Nice Indian Boy.” The movie is currently being screened in the US, and it also features Zarna Garg, Sunita Mani, Harish Patel, Keith Dallas, among others.

The film, adapted from Madhuri Shekar’s stage play, is generating a lot of buzz for its poignant narrative and cultural significance. Soni portrays a doctor who, surprisingly, has never introduced a partner to her family, despite their seemingly open-minded acceptance. Groff takes on the role of Jay, a white man with adoptive Indian parents.

Soni perceives the story as a delicate cultural juggling act that many Indian-Americans can relate to. Drawing upon his own experiences and those of others, he noticed how young people in the diaspora often distance themselves from their cultural background, sometimes as a response to societal pressures or past experiences.

According to Soni, he conveys a distinctive aspect to his character in the film through portraying the struggle of cultural adjustment. He explains that this is important because many Indian Americans distance themselves from their culture due to bullying or other experiences early in life. Furthermore, Soni highlights that his character’s unique charm lies in balancing the exploration and acceptance of his culture while a beautiful love story unfolds on screen. The Deadpool star further emphasizes this by saying that this heartwarming love story adds depth to his character.

While directing the film, Roshan Sethi (Soni’s real-life partner) has touched Groff deeply. He believes that their off-screen romance lends authenticity and depth to the love story they are capturing on camera. “I adored the movie 7 Days, created by Karan and Roshan. Then, when I learned they were a couple in real life, it made the whole experience feel even more unique and meaningful,” Groff expresses.

The movie was written for the screen by Eric Randall and it celebrates Bollywood in vibrant Technicolor, featuring songs, an energetic karaoke scene, and a heartfelt tribute to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995).

According to Groff, the vibrancy of Bollywood, considered as a cultural aspect, often appears excessively extravagant or “gay,” a sentiment widely shared by many young individuals within the LGBTQ+ community on social media. He explains, “Since I hadn’t watched DDLJ before, the movie served as an introduction to Indian culture for me in numerous ways. I truly enjoyed it. To me, it seems incredibly flamboyant, or put another way, over-the-top. Similarly, Bollywood films and Indian weddings appear excessively lavish and flamboyant to my eyes.

To Groff, a novice in Indian cinema, the general atmosphere of Bollywood appeared incredibly evocative, festive, and intricately emotional – making it instinctively resonant with queer culture.

Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff’s A Nice Indian Boy is playing in theaters from April 4, 2025.

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2025-04-05 14:07