Get ready for a heartwarming, hilarious, and culturally rich romantic comedy as A Nice Indian Boy makes its theatrical debut on April 4, 2025. This delightful film follows Naveen Gavaskar, a young Indian-American man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he falls for Jay Kurundkar, much to the surprise (and initial dismay) of his traditional family. Blending sharp humor with genuine emotion, the movie explores love, identity, and the complexities of family expectations in modern America.
Leading this vibrant ensemble is a stellar cast of comedic talents and dramatic powerhouses, including Deadpool’s Karan Soni and Frozen’s Jonathan Groff, who bring chemistry and depth to the central romance. From Sunita Mani’s scene-stealing sisterly antics to Zarna Garg’s riotous portrayal of a concerned mother, each performance adds layers of authenticity and laughter to this groundbreaking LGBTQ+ love story. Whether you’re here for the romance, the family dynamics, or the cultural comedy, A Nice Indian Boy promises to be one of 2025’s most talked-about films.
A Nice Indian Boy: Star Cast
– Karan Soni as Naveen Gavaskar
Karan Soni shines as Naveen Gavaskar, the dutiful son whose carefully curated life unravels when he meets Jay. Known for his scene-stealing roles in Deadpool and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Soni brings his signature wit and vulnerability to Naveen, portraying his journey from people-pleaser to self-assured adult with nuance. His comedic timing and emotional range make Naveen’s struggles with cultural expectations and self-acceptance both relatable and deeply moving.
Off-screen, Soni has become a champion for diverse storytelling in Hollywood, and A Nice Indian Boy marks his first leading role in a major romantic comedy. His chemistry with Jonathan Groff is electric, blending sweet moments with laugh-out-loud banter. Soni’s performance ensures Naveen will join the ranks of iconic romantic leads—one awkward family dinner at a time.
– Jonathan Groff as Jay Kurundkar
Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter, Frozen) delivers a career-highlight performance as Jay, the charming, confident love interest who turns Naveen’s world upside down. Groff infuses Jay with warmth and humor, balancing the character’s bold personality with moments of surprising tenderness. His ability to navigate both romantic and comedic beats makes Jay an instant standout, especially in scenes where he clashes (and eventually bonds) with Naveen’s family.
Groff’s theater roots (Hamilton, Spring Awakening) lend a natural charisma to Jay, particularly in musical moments sprinkled throughout the film. Off-camera, Groff has spoken about how meaningful it was to portray a queer love story with cultural specificity, calling it “a celebration of unexpected connections.” His chemistry with Soni is the heart of the film, serving up both swoon-worthy and sidesplitting moments in equal measure.
– Sunita Mani as Arundhathi Gavaskar
Sunita Mani (GLOW, The Bold Type) steals scenes as Arundhathi, Naveen’s fiercely protective older sister. Mani’s razor-sharp comedic timing and physicality make Arundhathi’s over-the-top reactions to her brother’s romance endlessly entertaining. Yet she also brings depth to the role, revealing the vulnerability beneath her character’s tough exterior as she grapples with her own expectations of family.
Mani, known for her genre-defying work in comedy and drama, reportedly improvised some of the film’s funniest lines. Her dynamic with Soni feels authentically sibling-like, full of teasing and unconditional love. Whether she’s interrogating Jay or scheming with her parents, Mani ensures Arundhathi is a fan favorite—and a force to be reckoned with.
– Zarna Garg as Megha Gavaskar
Stand-up sensation Zarna Garg makes her acting debut as Megha, Naveen’s melodramatic, tradition-bound mother. Garg’s background in comedy (her viral specials tackle Indian parenting tropes) makes her perfect for the role, delivering punchlines with impeccable timing while hinting at Megha’s genuine love for her son. Her exaggerated reactions to Naveen’s relationship—think fainting spells and tearful lamentations—are comedy gold.
Yet Garg also brings surprising pathos to Megha’s arc, especially as she begins to question her own biases. The actress has said she drew from real-life aunties for inspiration, resulting in a character that’s both hilariously over-the-top and oddly relatable. Her scenes with Harish Patel, as her equally stubborn husband, are marital comedy at its finest.
– Harish Patel as Archit Gavaskar
Veteran actor Harish Patel (Eternals, Runway 34) is a revelation as Archit, Naveen’s stoic but secretly soft-hearted father. Patel masters Archit’s gruff exterior, delivering deadpan one-liners that land with precision. But it’s his quiet moments—watching his son with pride or reluctantly bonding with Jay—that showcase Patel’s remarkable range.
Patel, a Bollywood legend, brings gravitas to the film’s more dramatic family confrontations. His character’s journey from disapproval to acceptance is one of the film’s most touching arcs, thanks to Patel’s ability to convey volumes with a single glance. The actor’s real-life experience bridging Indian and Western cinema mirrors the story’s themes beautifully.
– Peter S. Kim as Paul
Peter S. Kim (Fire Island, The Sex Lives of College Girls) plays Paul, Jay’s witty best friend who serves as both cheerleader and comic relief. Kim’s natural charm and improvisational skills make Paul a scene-stealer, especially in group scenes where he playfully needles Naveen’s family. His chemistry with Groff feels authentically longtime-friends, full of inside jokes and mutual support.
Kim, a rising star in queer cinema, brings layers to what could’ve been a stereotypical “gay best friend” role. His monologue about his own experiences with cultural acceptance is a quiet standout, blending humor and heartbreak. Whether he’s orchestrating double dates or delivering zingers, Kim ensures Paul is unforgettable.
– Sas Goldberg as Billie
Sas Goldberg (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Friends from College) shines as Billie, Naveen’s no-nonsense coworker and reluctant confidante. Goldberg’s dry delivery and impeccable timing make Billie the voice of reason amidst the Gavaskar family chaos. Her exasperated reactions to Naveen’s romantic misadventures provide some of the film’s biggest laughs.
Goldberg, a veteran of stage and screen, reportedly ad-libbed many of Billie’s most sarcastic lines. Her character’s blunt honesty (“Your mom is a nightmare, but I respect the hustle”) becomes a running gag that audiences will love. Yet she also gets a touching subplot about her own dating struggles, adding depth to the comedy.
– Sean Amsing as Neel
Sean Amsing (Riverdale, The Flash) rounds out the cast as Neel, Naveen’s cousin and occasional partner-in-crime. Amsing brings boyish energy to the role, whether Neel is clumsily trying to mediate family disputes or drunkenly oversharing at parties. His physical comedy skills (watch for a disastrous dance sequence) add to the film’s playful tone.
Amsing, who’s of Indian and Canadian heritage, has spoken about how meaningful it was to work on a project celebrating diasporic identities. His character serves as a bridge between generations, equally comfortable teasing his elders and defending Naveen’s choices. Neel’s subplot about his own secret romance adds sweet parallel tension to the main story.
Closing Line: With this brilliant ensemble bringing humor, heart, and cultural specificity to every scene, A Nice Indian Boy is poised to be 2025’s most joyful romantic comedy. Don’t miss it in theaters April 4!
