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The Great Indian Family Movie Review : A genuine message, but falls short in execution

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Luqman Muhammad 804 113 days ago

See in 1914 usa annexed purerto rico thus this movie is 10/5 luv it must wathc

JAYKUMAR PRABHAKAR 330 173 days ago

Must watch, don't go biased Critic rating or media propaganda.

Sanjiv Dixit 710 175 days ago

Good movies are not box office hit & collector of money. The movie is all about these days problem when country is busy discussing all the time Hindu Muslim, Ghar wapsi etc. Can a family change behaviour/ relationship with their son/daughter if it comes to know their kid is from different religion? How can kid change it in his/ her 20s? Neither Muslims nor Hindus of this country can be removed in hundreds of years in today's world. Why strain relations & stress so much. Dialogues are meaningful. Satire is applaudable. Well-done makers and actors

Col Sunil Kumar Walia 60710 176 days ago

An excellent message narrated in a simple fluid story... Great acting, direction and editing... There were no long speech about goody goodness... Overall a beautiful simple movie.

Sss bbbb 16 179 days ago

Very nice movie and really good for humanity and really you will learn a lot that rather than spoiling our life on religions we should love with each other nicely ..we all born human being and not hindu ,muslim or christian..this movie is a need to remove the sick mentality…seriously very nice movie 

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The Great Indian Family

2023, Comedy/Drama, 2h 30m

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Sudden developments send a man's family into turmoil.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Original Language: Hindi

Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya

Producer: Aditya Chopra

Writer: Vijay Krishna Acharya

Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 2023 limited

Runtime: 2h 30m

Distributor: Yash Raj Films

Production Co: Yash Raj Films

Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Vicky Kaushal

Manushi Chhillar

Manoj Pahwa

Kumud Mishra

Srishti Dixit

Bharati Perwani

Vijay Krishna Acharya

Screenwriter

Aditya Chopra

Ayananka Bose

Cinematographer

Charu Shree Roy

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Pritam Chakraborty

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The Great Indian Family Review: Vicky Kaushal film is serious about being preachy

Vicky kaushal-starrer 'the great indian family' released in theatres on friday, september 22. planning to watch the film read our review first..

Listen to Story

'The Great Indian Family' released in cinemas on September 22.
The film stars Vicky Kaushal, Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa among others.
It has been directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya.

Cast & Crew

Vicky Kaushal Actor

Release Date: 22 Sep, 2023

When Bhajan Kumar (Vicky Kaushal) sings ‘Kanhaiya Twitter pe aaja,’ you are enthralled and hooked. That is the kind of screen presence the actor demands. Kaushal carries all of that with a sense of sincerity and innocence in his film ‘The Great Indian Family,’ but does the film rise above his charismatic presence? Let’s find out.

‘The Great Indian Family’ is set in a small town in North India where you meet Bhajan Kumar aka Billu’s family. Being a Pandit is a matter of both pride and 'business' to them. While Billu serenades fans with his voice, his father (Kumud Mishra) is a renowned priest of the town. Theirs is a typical Indian family, bristling with chaotic characters. At one point, Billu is seen referring to them as ‘snakes’ involved in a snake-and-ladder game.

Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the man behind ‘Thugs of Hindostan,’ the Vicky Kaushal film does not shy away from wearing its intention on its sleeves. It is a film set out to preach and that it does. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but exploring the subject seems timely, considering the volatile climate we live in.

Vicky is exceptional as Bhajan Kumar. He delivers an earnest performance and is supported by Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa’s excellent screen presence. Manushi Chillar appears in the film for two songs and doesn’t really add anything to the screenplay.

The film’s dialogues are contemporary and relatable. But moments where they try to play on the entire 'Hindu-Muslim' angle feel a bit stretched, but even that is intentional, meant to evoke both laughter and some serious thinking over the subject.

The script is simple and non-complicated. The story is predictable to the T. But thankfully, that doesn’t entirely take away from the experience of watching the movie.

The songs are forgetful, and the direction is very one-toned. The film keeps it simple and has a running time of less than two hours, which works in its favour. If it had been longer, 'The Great Indian Family' would have become a complete snooze fest.

‘The Great Indian Family’ is your two-hour lesson on ‘being human,’ which is partly boring, partly preachy.

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The premise of the film is well-intended but the impact of what it meant to do does not translate on the screen. The Great Indian Family has a genuine message but fall short in execution.

The Great Indian Family Movie Review: A genuine message, but falls short in execution

Times of India

The Great Indian Family - Motion Poster

The Great Indian Family - Official Trailer

The Great Indian Family | Song - Kanhaiya Twitter Pe Aaja

The Great Indian Family | Song - Sahibaa

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Luqman Muhammad 804 113 days ago

See in 1914 usa annexed purerto rico thus this movie is 10/5 luv it must wathc

JAYKUMAR PRABHAKAR 330 173 days ago

Must watch, don't go biased Critic rating or media propaganda.

Sanjiv Dixit 710 175 days ago

Col Sunil Kumar Walia 60710 176 days ago

An excellent message narrated in a simple fluid story... Great acting, direction and editing... There were no long speech about goody goodness... Overall a beautiful simple movie.

Sss bbbb 16 179 days ago

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This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor. Share
This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor.
This is the second time Arjun Kapoor is playing a double role, the first being Aurangzeb (2013).
The song ‘Yamma yamma’ from ‘Shaan’ is sampled in the song ‘Partywali Night' for the film.

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The Great Indian Family (2023)

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The Great Indian Family movie review: Just the kind of film Bollywood shouldn’t be making

The great indian family movie review: if you want to be brave, the writing needs to match: here, even such wonderful actors like kumud mishra, manoj pahwa, sadi siddiqui stand no chance. neither does the always watchable vicky kaushal..

The Great Indian Family is just the kind of film Bollywood should be making more of. Wait, scratch that. The Great Indian Family is just the kind of film Bollywood shouldn’t be making more of. Not because it doesn’t have a topical, much-needed idea, b ut because having a great premise isn’t enough. Diluting it with lax execution does more harm than good.

Once upon a time Hindi cinema was the best place to cement the slogan– Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Issai, aapas mein sab bhai bhai– even if the balance was almost always skewed towards the Mishrajis and the Chaturvedijis. In Vijay Krishna Acharya’s film, which is clearly hoping to be a modern fable laced with strong contemporary comment, Vicky Kaushal’s ‘bodi-flaunting’ Pandit Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Billu stands for the best of us. Or let’s just say, Billu’s journey from an ignoramus who thinks Allah-hu-Akbar is a greeting, to a wise, inclusive citizen of Indian who knows the right thing to say, and even better, the right thing to do.

To get to that point, the film pads the plot, something Yash Raj Films has been guilty of before. Billu, who lives with his pandit father (Mishra) and uncle (Pahwa) has an introductory song-and-cutesy-childhood-sequence in which his backstory is explained in a voiceover (groan). There’s a lot of chatter about Govinda and ‘pooja’ and ‘havan’, and if the intention is to send up our dependence on religious rituals, it doesn’t work. Billu is made to bump up against a brash Sikhni (Chhillar, coming off strictly ornamental) in a Muslim neighbourhood bristling with stereotyped identifiers– lots of burkhas, kohl-lined eyes– in which the residents can be ‘pechanoed from their kapdas’ (recognised from their attire). In what way does this depiction break stereotypes?

A classic lost-and-found twist gives the story an excuse to introduce paper-thin characters of a Parsi doctor, a dying Muslim mother, and a benevolent Hindu couple who bring home a motherless baby home, and bring it up as their own. The complexities arising from confusion, identity politics, and the importance of inclusion and liberalism are turned into underlined dialogue-baazi, lest anyone take them seriously. If you want to be brave, the writing needs to match: here, even such wonderful actors like Mishra, Pahwa, Siddiqui stand no chance. Neither does the always watchable Vicky Kaushal. Done well, this could have been such a crucial film for these times when we are being pitted against each other. Such a pity.

The Great Indian Family movie cast: Vicky Kaushal, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Manushi Chhillar, Sadia Siddiqui The Great Indian Family movie director: Vijay Krishna Acharya The Great Indian Family movie rating: One and a half stars

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Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif tied the knot after years of secrecy. In an interview, Vicky admitted that Katrina used to call him 'khadoos' and dislikes his stubbornness. Neha Dhupia, who attended their wedding, revealed that Katrina was smitten by Vicky during the screening of his film Uri.

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'the great indian family' review: vicky kaushal shines in a fluffy film on harmony, the film uses the super safe route to liberal, progressive thinking – a family comedy-drama set in the heartland, by lekha menon.

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Published: Fri 22 Sep 2023, 4:12 PM

Last updated: Sun 24 Sep 2023, 4:48 PM

Watching The Great Indian Family (TGIF) gives rise to one thought: for how long should one applaud average story-telling, simplistic narratives and convenient plot coincidences solely because they are well-intentioned? A few weeks back, we overlooked Jawan ’s monster-sized cinematic loopholes because it had style, pizzazz and a significant (some would say, brave) idea delivered with aplomb by a certain Shah Rukh Khan.

The Great Indian Family makes the same demand from us. The crux of Vicky Kaushal’s family entertainer is an issue that has polarised India – Hindu-Muslim disunity. It talks about religion bravely, mentions words that have dominated WhatsApp chats and newsroom debates, and preaches about communal harmony. Much needed, no doubt, but the problem is that these extremely sensitive topics get the typical Bollywood, colour-washed treatment robbing them of their nuance or complexities. Thus, it’s hard to take it seriously.

TGIF uses the super safe route to liberal, progressive thinking – a family comedy-drama set in the Indian heartland. Writer-Director Vijay Krishna Acharya zooms in on a fictitious town Balrampur (which looks curiously like Varanasi) where we are introduced to Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Billu aka Bhajan Kumar (Vicky Kaushal), a happy-go-lucky devotional singer and son of a respected Hindu priest (Kumud Mishra). Circumstances lead him to enter a Muslim-dominated area in his town. It’s a culture shock for our devout Hindu boy but while ghettoisation is a sad reality of our times, here it is played out for laughs. It’s okay because through Billu’s discovery of India, the director perhaps wanted to convey the message that beyond the clothes, colours, modes of greeting and food, Hindus and Muslims share the same DNA.

All is well in Billu’s life until an earth shattering revelation about the possibility of him being a Muslim tears his family apart. How does he deal with his identity crisis? Will his once-loving family accept him? What impact does it have on a divided society?

The story of TGIF presented many interesting possibilities – what if, an extremely religious Hindu or Muslim, taught to ‘otherise’ and discriminate, actually belongs to that ‘other community’? It could have been an indepth and even layered exploration of religion and identity but writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya stays at the top of the sugarcoated layer. The film steers clear of any politics and takes care not to be offensive to anyone. Instead, the focus is on the families and some half-hearted villains in the form of a competitive priest and his son.

And that’s a pity because there are references galore to the real villains in the entire issue – bigotry, fake news spread by social media, inherent biases and manipulations. It gives fleeting mentions to terms like Anti-Romeo squad, ‘ghar wapsi’, ‘anti-national’ etc. but that’s as far as its politics goes.

The rest looks and feels synthetic. What feels real is Vicky Kaushal’s sincere performance. He is charming, goofy and extremely likeable even in an under-developed role. Among the supporting cast, only Manoj Pahwa as a prejudiced uncle and Kumud Mishra as his humane father make an impression. Manushi Chillar, with a blue streak in her hair, is just there as eye candy.

In the Tripathi family, all issues are resolved through a ballot box, unimaginatively called ‘democracy’. Perhaps it’s the director’s metaphoric plea to restore the true essence of democracy. And in the climax, Billu gives a rousing speech on religious unity that turns the tide in his favour with the end credits featuring a song with all parties singing together on the need for harmony. Sigh, if only real life was a Bollywood film!

Rating: 2.5 stars

'The Great Indian Family' is a celebration of India's diversity: Vicky Kaushal
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The Great Indian Family Movie Review

The Great Indian Family Devesh Sharma, September 22, 2023

Times Of India

critic's rating: 3.5/5 Dharmputra (1961), produced by BR Chopra and directed by Yash Chopra, was the first Hindi film to depict the perils of Hindu fundamentalism. The film dealt with issues of religious bigotry, fanaticism and communalism amidst the backdrop of the Partition. In it, a child belonging to biological Muslim parents is brought up as a Hindu by family friends but grows up to be a religious fanatic who hates Muslims, not knowing his own origins. Six decades later, it's fitting that Yash Raj Productions is carrying forward the legacy of making socially–relevant films by investing in The Great Indian Family. Here, a new born baby, whose Mulsim parents are killed in riots, is adopted by a Hindu priest as his own son. No one in his family is aware of the child’s identity, till it is revealed through circumstances. How this changes his equation with those around him and whether the changed circumstances are able to break their bond, forms the crux of this social comedy. It’s good that director Vijay Krishna Acharya has chosen the light-veined route to put his point across. The film starts off as a genuine comedy but later takes a serious turn. We see a small town boy named Ved Vyas Tripathi/Bhajan Kumar/Billu (Vicky Kaushal), being the king of bhajans in Balrampur. His father (Kumud Mishra) is the most respected pandit of the area. whose rival, Pandit Mishra (Yashpal Sharma), wants to usurp the position at all costs. Bhajan Kumar lives in a dysfunctional family and sees them as being ‘snakes’ who always put up a hurdle when he begins to climb a ladder, equating his life to a game of snakes and ladders. While the family bickers all the while, they do love each other fiercely. Bhajan Kumar’s father goes on a pilgrimage and in his absence, the family learns that he might be an adopted child and worse, his biological parents might be Muslims. The news somehow leaks out in society. His uncle (Manoj Pahwa) is somewhat influenced by societal pressure and suggests Bhajan should lie low till the things settle down. Angered by his family’s lack of support, an angry Bhajan storms out of his house and starts living with a Muslim friend. Things take such a turn that he seriously thinks of embracing Islam… The film brings forth the message that all religions are one and the biggest religion is that of humanity. Bhajan is alive and well because a Hindu priest and his wife chose to adopt him. He’s sheltered by a Muslim family in his hour of need and his Sikh girlfriend (Manushi Chhillar) has no problems with him belonging to either of the religions. And it says it all without resorting to jingoism. It points out that today, we’re becoming the sort of society which is giving in to blind hatred. That we’re closing doors to each other instead of integrating and learning from each other. We’re forgetting that as a nation, we’re a great Indian family. Every family is dysfunctional and while it’s not necessary that everyone should get along with each other, the love and respect between members should remain. Such films are the need of the hour and it’s great that Yash Raj Productions have chosen to take the lead in it. Kudos to director Vijay Krishna Acharya, who is known for his masala films like Thugs of Hindostan and Dhoom 3, for taking up the cause of communal harmony. Kumud Mishra says more with his silences and his expressions than his dialogue. He’s seen as the beacon of good in the society and people like him are sorely needed in real life. Manoj Pahwa plays the everyman citizen, who is good at heart but can be swayed towards toeing the wrong line, much like those easily influenced by social media forwards. You can put Vicky Kaushal in anything and he’ll shine. He’s in his element both in the comic as well as the dramatic portions. He represents the pure soul of India which is in danger of getting corrupted by the poison of communalism. His angst, his helplessness feel real. Manushi Chhillar looks easy on the eyes and is competent enough in her brief role. There wasn’t much scope for her in the film. The film must be watched for the important message it conveys. Religious harmony is the need of the hour and should always be preserved.

Trailer : The Great Indian Family

Dhaval roy, september 22, 2023, 6:16 pm ist.

Story: The Great Indian Family story: Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Bhajan Kumar, is a devout Hindu man who faces an identity crisis and a personal dilemma when he discovers he is actually a Muslim by birth. Review: Pandit Siyaram Tripathi (Kumud) is a revered priest whose family conducts all the religious ceremonies in Balrampur. The town and Tripathi household’s star is their son, Ved Vyas Tripathi (Vicky Kaushal), aka Billu, also fondly called Bhajan Kumar for his famed bhajan performances. When Siyaram Tripathi goes for a teerth yatra , the family receives a letter informing them that Ved is a Muslim by birth. As Ved questions his identity, his begrudged friend and the Tripathis' rival Pandit, Mishra (plot to use this to bring him and his family down. While the Tripathis risk losing a prestigious and hefty marriage contract to Mishra, it remains to be seen whether Pandit Siyaram will accept his son and if Billu will be accepted by their fervently religious mohalla. The movie aims to deliver the message of unity between two religions but lacks conviction and rationale. The basic premise of the story by Vijay Krishna Acharya, also the film’s director, is Billu discovering his religion (by birth) through a dubious letter, which the family dismisses as a prank. However, Billu instantly accepts it as a truth. The plot turns into a soap opera, with the bad guys editing images and videos to make Billu infamous on social media and demanding a DNA test to prove he is Pandit Siyaram’s son. The movie tries too hard to draw a parallel between the two cultures but shows the similarities superficially. With unconvincing story development and tracks, by the end, it turns into a predictable fare with oft-repeated dialogues on unity and humanity. The movie captures the vibe of a town steeped in tradition well. The soundtrack by Pritam is decent, especially Sahibaa. The modern bhajan Kanhaiya Tu Twitter Pe Aaja is foottapping. Vicky Kaushal makes a sincere effort and does well in the scenes where he’s confused about his identity, but this is not one of his finest performances. This more depth to his character would have helped. Manushi Chhillar has limited screen time but does not pass off as a street-smart small-town girl. Kumud Mishra has a powerful screen presence and delivers a strong performance as a strict but loving father. He especially shines in the scene where he leaves for his yatra and blesses Billu, though what he really wants to do is give him a hug. The father-son relationship throughout the movie is depicted well. Manoj Pahwa, as Billu’s uncle Balakram Tripathi, lends able support. The family drama lacks a compelling storyline and narrative to keep you hooked. While Billu's shenanigans with his friends are mildly entertaining in the first half, as the story progresses, the narrative loses its punch. The premise of the film is well-intended but the impact of what it meant to do does not translate on the screen. The Great Indian Family has a genuine message but fall short in execution.

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The Great Indian Family (2023) Movie Review: An Old-School Bollywood Dramedy With the Subtext of Contemporary India

Before we talk about YRF’s latest film, it’s important to address how muddled the marketing around it has been. It’s fairly reasonable for a mid-budget YRF film to be confident enough to lure audiences in based on the power of its studio tag and the ensemble cast. After all, 2023 is turning out to be a year where Bollywood has been witnessing a fair resurgence in terms of footfalls compared to the past couple of years. It was only after watching “The Great Indian Family,” however that those curious questions became clearer to me.

The discourse around Karan Johar’s “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” and especially Atlee’s “Jawan” has made one thing clear. What was once considered the norm and baseline for social messaging now gets considered as ‘bold’ and risky storytelling. Of course, it’s all stemming from how blinded by hate we’ve become. We fear how our relationship with a film would turn out to be before even entering the darkened auditoriums. You watch a Hindu bathed in Brahminical attire blast slogans saying, “Hindu khatre mein nahi dal sakte (we cannot put Hinduism in danger),” while your lead contemplates changing his religion and think: will that offend anyone? How did it bypass the censors?

“The Great Indian Family,” on the other hand, not only carries an attitude of self-awareness with it but also acts like a reminder for people not to take themselves too seriously. It not only (refreshingly) flips the good Muslim vs. bad Muslim convention but also remains unperturbed by the current discourse. It knows exactly what kind of didacticism audiences need to be reminded of – one that’s not barbed in seriousness but rather in the fabric of what was once considered the norm for social satires. Moreover, the film has echoes of old hits such as Manmohan Desai’s “Dharam Veer” but with the subtext of contemporary India. That’s precisely why it’s one of the better Hindi films to have come out in a while.

Vicky Kaushal plays Pandit Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Billu, who gets attention from women for his peculiar singing talent. He lives with his Pandit father (Kumud Mishra) and uncle (Manoj Pahwa) and is an ignoramus who thinks Allah-hu-Akbar is a form of greeting. In a conventional introductory childhood sequence accompanied by a voiceover, we see his conditioning in and around the suburban Brahmin household. But things begin to change when Billu bumps into a brash Sikhni (Manushi Chhillar in her limited screen time) in a Muslim neighborhood.

High On Films in collaboration with Avanté

However, it’s only when a letter from his past arrives that Billu’s ignorance gets burdened overnight by the weight of his indifference. In the latter half of the film, the fictional town of Balrampur and the Tripathi household become a stand-in for contemporary India. The approach works, considering how porous the boundaries of pride and religion have become. What happens then, when one day you wake up and find out you actually belong to another religion?

While the lead spends the rest of the movie-going through a crisis of his own as doors literally close on him, the film uses it as an excuse to notch up the satirical angle. A running gag of how the Tripathi family is a ‘democracy’ is reinforced by showing crucial decisions based on emotional sentiments made through a voting box. “Democracy ki shakal bhi badli hui lag rahi thi (The face of democracy also seems to have changed),” observes Billu at one point. Unlike KJo’s new hit, this one doesn’t just try to cheekily update its politics – it adroitly delivers on its satirical aspects by actively updating its grammar.

But no YRF film can be complete without having cathartic family showdowns. The movie taps into an unspoken sentiment through its father-son dynamic that’s relatively unexplored in such a poignant way in mainstream Hindi cinema. Perhaps it stems from Mishra’s warm person (one that the film greatly cloaks under his attire only to reveal at the right moment). Still, a tender scene of him confronting Billu at the gate of a mosque gets elevated because of how supremely it circles back to another moment earlier in the film.

Another shot later frames him through a tainted glass in his moment of moral reckoning. Moments like these actually made me wonder how Vijay Krishna Acharya may be capable of hitting home such intimate poignancy and whether he’s earned a rather infamous reputation because of the weight of the over-ambitious projects in the past.

The star of the film is undoubtedly Vicky Kaushal. He aptly encapsulates the blatant ignorance most young men in today’s India go around with, oblivious to how dangerous it is until the tides turn against them. “The Great Indian Family” doesn’t want you to change your views on anything as much as it wants everyone to empathize with precisely what would happen if the tides were to turn against us. The fact that the very keyword in its title is under scrutiny today signals how it may already have.

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The Great Indian Family Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal Film Comes With Good Message But Lacks Much-Needed Drama

Updated Sep 26, 2023, 04:47 PM IST

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The Great Indian Family Movie Review

22 Sep 2023 | 112 Mins

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The Great Indian Family Review: Vicky Kaushal's dramedy delivers a strong message in the subtlest possible way

Vicky kaushal and manushi chhillar led dramedy, the great indian family, directed by vijay krishna acharya, is a lovely, heart-warming film that successfully delivers a strong and pertinent message., by rishil jogani.

The Great Indian Family is a well-intentioned dramedy that warrants a family watch (Credit: Yash Raj Films)

Key Highlight

The Great Indian Family is a heart-warming family drama highlighting the rich diversity of India.
The Great Indian Family plays at a theatre near you.

Name: The Great Indian Family

Cast: manushi chhillar,yashpal sharma,manoj pahwa,vicky kaushal.

Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Bhajan Kumar ( Vicky Kaushal ) lives in Balrampur, in an orthodox Hindu family. Despite being a Pandit, he has a longing to live just a normal life, which he fulfills in the company of his friends. In an unexpected development, he falls in love with a Sikh lady ( Manushi Chhillar ). A fateful letter one fine night, reveals that Bhajan Kumar is not a Hindu but a Muslim by birth. Bhajan feels unhomely with the change in behaviour of almost everyone in his house towards him barring his Brahmin father who has gone on a pilgrimage, and decides to leave his house and convert into a Muslim for real. The story that follows, takes you on the journey of Bhajan towards knowing who he really is.

What works:

The Great Indian Family propagates religious harmony. At a time when religious extremism and religious intolerance is at it's peak, comes a film that really takes you by surprise in delivering a message so noble that you start doubting whether it's a dream or it's happening for real. The film is full of heart and the timing of its release couldn't have been any better. The Great Indian Family doesn't bicker much from its subject matter. After some pacing issues at the beginning, it really gets going and ends on a triumphant note. The family entertainer will leave you with a big wide smile and a tear in the eye, as you leave the auditorium.

What doesn't:

As stated earlier, the film lags a bit at the start and one may start to wonder where the film is headed at the half an hour mark, with three songs taking up a good part of the runtime, before it really gets going. The film may feel slightly dated when you watch it but again, one couldn't have asked for a better release time of the film, knowing the religious shackles our country still finds itself in. The film plays out like an Indian soap opera with a number of overdramatic, dialogue heavy sequences but a good part of it can be excused due to its soft landing.

Watch The Great Indian Family Trailer

The Great Indian Family Star Performances:

It wouldn't be wrong to call Vicky Kaushal, Mr Dependable. His solid performance reiterates that there can be a bad Vicky Kaushal film but not a bad Vicky Kaushal performance. He aces his role of Bhajan Kumar and lifts the film on his able shoulders. Manushi Chhillar doesn't get much scope to prove her mettle as an actor. She however looks glamorous in the songs and scenes that she's a part of. Kumud Mishra as Bhajan Kumar's father is terrific and so is Manoj Pahwa, who essays the role of Bhajan's uncle. Other supporting actors in the film lend very good support and only enhance the quality of film, further.

The Great Indian Family Final Verdict:

Vijay Krishna Acharya's The Great Indian Family is definitely recommended. It's a film that deserves to be watched along with the family. There is a hope that the strong messaging of the film will be able to create a larger overall impact. Go book your tickets.

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The Great Indian Family Movie Review: THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY rests on a promising storyline but fails to impress.

Despite a promising storyline the great indian family fails to impress., the great indian family review {2.0/5} & review rating.

THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY is the story of a devotional singer. Ved Vyas Tripathi ( Vicky Kaushal ) lives in Balrampur with his deeply religious family comprising Pandit Siya Ram Tripathi (Kumud Mishra), bua Sushila Kumari (Alka Amin), chacha Balak Ram (Manoj Pahwa), chachi Hema (Sadiya Siddiqui) and twin sister Gunja (Srishti Dixit). Ved is also known as Bhajan Kumar since he's a reputed devotional singer in the town. Ved's best friends are Bhaata (Bhuvan Arora) and Sarveshwar (Ashutosh Ujjwal). Sarveshwar falls for Jasmeet ( Manushi Chhillar ) and the former asks Bhaata and Ved for help to impress her. While doing so, Ved falls for Jasmeet. This creates a rift between Ved and Sarveshwar. If that is not enough, Ved gets another shocker. A stranger arrives at their house and leaves a letter informing them that Ved was born a Muslim. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Vijay Krishna Acharya's story is very promising and has all the trappings of a commercial entertainer. But Vijay Krishna Acharya's screenplay is not upto the mark. The writer-director tries his best to add dramatic moments but these scenes fail to pack a punch. Vijay Krishna Acharya's dialogues are sharp in places.

Vijay Krishna Acharya's direction gets affected due to an underwhelming script. To give credit where it's due, he has handled certain moments with panache like Ved’s childhood track, Ved meeting Abdul and his family for the first time, the climax monologue etc. The idea of the family undertaking a vote before a crucial decision and also the snakes-and-ladder aspect is creative. The message of communal harmony also comes across well.

However, a film like this should have ideally had more humour and more hard-hitting scenes. THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY has neither. The goings-on that occur after Ved’s Muslim identity is revealed doesn’t create the desired impact. The romantic track is also weak.

The Great Indian Family Trailer | Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar | Vijay Krishna Acharya

Speaking of performances, Vicky Kaushal, as always, puts up a very sincere act. The scene in the second half where he struggles to speak while crying is damn good and shows his acting brilliance. Manushi Chhillar has an arresting screen presence. But she is wasted. In fact, she is hardly there in the film after the first 45 minutes. Kumud Mishra leaves a mark. He is also convincing as an influential town resident. Manoj Pahwa, too, performs well. Alka Amin, Sadiya Siddiqui and Srishti Dixit lend able support. Bhuvan Arora and Ashutosh Ujjwal are okay. Yashpal Sharma (Pandit Jagannath Mishra) and Aasif Khan (Tulsidas Mishra) are decent as the antagonists. Hittesh Arrora (Abdul) and Devang Tanna (Pintu) are likeable. Saloni Khanna (Aishwarya) and Paritosh Sand (Jai Prakash Malpani) don't have much to do.

Pritam's music won’t have a long shelf life. All three songs - 'Kanhaiya Twitter Pe Aaja', 'Sahibaa' and 'Ki Farak Painda Hai' - are beautifully shot and choreographed but are not catchy enough. Kingshuk Chakravarty's background score is appropriate.

Ayananka Bose's cinematography is neat. Sumit Basu, Snigdha Basu and Rajnish Hedao's production design is very authentic and a layman won’t be able to realize that the whole film has been shot on a set and not in real-life locations. Sheetal Sharma's costumes are straight out of life. YFX's VFX is top-class. Charu Shree Roy's editing is fine.

On the whole, THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY rests on a promising storyline but fails to impress since the script and goings-on don’t pack a punch. At the box office, the film will struggle due to a lack of awareness.

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Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar starrer The Great Indian Family to stream on THIS OTT platform

Vicky Kaushal expresses gratitude for working with esteemed actors in The Great Indian Family; says, “We all fed off each other's energies”

Vicky Kaushal starrer The Great Indian Family certified UA, advance booking begins

"Films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham are etched in my mind" - says Vicky Kaushal on the lack of quintessential family films being made

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Home » Movies » The Great Indian Family Movie Review

The Great Indian Family review: Vijay Krishna Acharya’s plea for inclusivity in diversity

Vijay Krishna Acharya shows a huge improvement from Thugs of Hindostan, but a stronger female lead would have elevated the movie.

Published:Sep 23, 2023

A poster of the film 'The Great Indian Family'. (Yrf/ X)

An appreciable attempt!

The Great Indian Family (Hindi)

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Bhuvan Arora
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Music: Pritam
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, and Revathy
Director: Maneesh Sharma
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Music: Pritam Chakraborty
Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

Vijay Krishna Acharya is known for directing big-budget extravaganzas. All his films — Tashan (2008), Dhoom 3 (2013), and Thugs of Hindostan (2018) — belong to the action genre and feature big stars.

However, the subject of his latest outing — The Great Indian Family — on the surface appears as a misfit for the director. But he pleasantly surprises us, particularly, when the film gets to the meat of the story.

The Great Indian Family is about a Brahmin boy Ved Vyas Tripathi, also known as Bhajan Kumar.

Ved Vyas (Vicky Kaushal) faces an identity crisis when all of a sudden he comes to know that he is actually a Muslim by birth.

His father, rather the adopted father Siya Ram Tripathi (Kumud Mishra) is a most respected pandit of the small town where the film is set.

A still from the film ‘The Great Indian Family’. (X)

Manoj Pahwa plays the uncle of Ved Vyas. His character Balak Ram goes through a shift when the identity of Ved Vyas is known. All this happens when Siya Ram Tripathi is on a pilgrimage.

Yashpal Sharma, on the other hand, plays the rival pandit who wants to bring down the popularity of Siya Ram Tripathi.

And finally, you have the female lead Manushi Chillar who shows no improvement from her Samrat Prithviraj (2022) days.

Also Read: This ‘demon’ doesn’t really scare you!

Vicky Kaushal in ‘The Great Indian Family’. (X)

The Great Indian Family does take time to get going. Vicky Kaushal’s scenes with his two friends don’t add much to the film.

Manushi Chjillar’s entry only further slackens the proceedings. Her attempt at being a Punjabi firebrand is rather laboured. There is zero spunk.

Vicky’s chemistry with Manushi has none of the sizzle that he shared with Sara Ali Khan in Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023).

The best portions of the film are the scenes where Ved Vyas is going through an existential crisis. There was a time when he was adored by his uncle and others. But now, the same family turns its back on him owing to societal pressure.

The situation reaches a point where Ved Vyas seriously thinks of embracing Islam. The paradox here is that without knowing his identity, he finds shelter in a Muslim family. Additionally, his Sikh girlfriend has no issues about him belonging to either of the religions.

It is in these bits that the directorial skills of Vijay Krishna Acharya come forth.

Also Read: ‘Jaane Jaan’: ‘M’ is for Mathematics and Murder Mystery in this masterly movie

Performances.

Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar in ‘The Great Indian Family’. (Yrf/X)

Another area where the movie scores is the scenes featuring the senior actors Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra.

Manoj Pahwa plays a citizen who is good at heart but can get easily influenced by WhatsApp forwards. But the director makes sure that he doesn’t become a caricature.

Vicky Kaushal and Manoj Pahwa have a couple of dramatic showdowns, and these bits are a delight to watch because of the intense acting on display.

Kumud Mishra conveys a lot with his silence and expressions. The actor particularly shines in the scene where he opens up to the other family members about how he and his wife decided to adopt the boy born to a Muslim mother.

What pulls the film apart from the female lead is the lacklustre music. The only song that works in The Great Indian Family is “ Kanhaiya Twitter Pe Aaja “. It has a catchy tune along with Vicky Kaushal’s energy.

Pritam’s soundtrack in Rock Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (2023) had far better songs.

Also Read: Are You OK Baby? review: A gripping story about adoption

The story of The Great Indian Family might sound a little clichéd and a filmy attempt at unifying religions in these difficult times. But it is still an effort that needs to be appreciated.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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The Great Indian Family Review: Vicky Bats For Secularism

The Great Indian Family , observes Sukanya Verma, is a cheerful fable that points out the absurdity of discrimination as a tool employed by power hungry opportunists.

The Great Indian Family echoes the religious harmony envisioned by Yash Chopra in his first two movies .

In Dhool Ka Phool , a Muslim man raises a Hindu love child with hopes of, ' Tu Hindu Na Banega Na Musalman Banega Insaan Ki Aulad Hai Insaan Banega .'

His next Dharmputra reiterated those views when a Hindu fanatic learns the truth about his Muslim parentage as well an unforgettable lesson in sanskar from his adoptive father, ' Kissi khaas tareeke se khana pakana, pooja-paath karne ya Ganga mein snaan karne ka naam culture nahi. Roohani tarakqi ka naam culture hai .'

In The Great Indian Family , produced by Chopra's banner Yash Raj Films, a young Hindu Brahmin brought up in a family of temple priests grapples with his religious identity after learning he was born to a Muslim.

Six decades later, Yash Chopra's secular utopia is still a distant dream but his commentary is scathing as ever.

In comparison, The Great Indian Family , directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, known for big ticket movies like Tashan, Dhoom 3 and Thugs of Hindostan , is a toothless take on the religious bigotry plaguing India's socio-political climate.

Treating depressing reality with broad humour, Acharya's well-meaning efforts to combine elements of satire are far too wide-eyed and on-the-nose to have any impact.

At best, a cheerful fable that self-righteously points out the absurdity of discrimination as a tool employed by power hungry opportunists, The Great Indian Family avoids keeping anything at stake.

Everything is either a set-up to shoot off zingers like 'Hari bhajan gaate the hum. Hara kapda pehna toh hari mirch lag gayi ?' or fall for tiring symbolism and tropes distinguished by food, faith and fashion.

Pity, considering the talent at the centre of it all.

Vicky Kaushal is an all-rounder. He is droll as a small-town Bhajan king.

He is a picture of vulnerability when he has a falling-out with his family.

His sincerity is hard to miss when he appeals for sense and sensibility or switches from bhajan and bhangra to accommodate The Great Indian Family 's entertainment quota and justify Manushi Chillar's absolutely gratuitous presence as a 'no-filter Proud Punjabi.'

There are flashes of fun in the terrific Kumud Mishra and terrifying Yashpal Sharma's ideological and horoscopic clash but before anything can come out of it, the makers have swamped the script in cliches ( kohl, burqa ) and childish display of curiosity.

Wait what, Muslims eat with their hands? Oh Allah Hu Akbar isn't like hi-hello?

The Great Indian Family's observations are staggeringly naïve and elementary or as a certain Rocky Randhawa would quip 'but obvio.'

For all its brethren blah blah and pooh-poohing of prejudices, there's no Muslim voice to be heard in its jumble of Brahmin supremacy and Hindu infighting. Things are far too lopsided to appreciate a lecture on unity in diversity.

The Great Indian Family sees rising intolerance as a game of snakes and ladders and democracy as a ritual for arriving at a domestic decision. Voting may begin at home, sure, but the venom now runs too deep.

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‘A Nice Indian Boy' Review: This Charming, if By-the-Book Interracial Rom-Com, Packs a Bollywood Twist

I did not have Jonathan Groff singing "Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jana Sanam" on my 2024 bingo card. The Broadway actor humbly steps into Indian culture in Roshan Sethi's "A Nice Indian Boy," which repeatedly connects back to Aditya Chopra's "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" - the film that originated "Tujhe Dekha" (and happens to be heading to Broadway, not that Groff would know anything about that…).

Written by Eric Randall and Madhuri Shekar (and based on Shekar's play), "A Nice Indian Boy" is all about subverting stereotypes about Indian culture, both within and outside of the community. The title itself is a cheeky twist on every aunty's favorite refrain: that when a girl is of the right age, she or her family will find her a "nice Indian boy" to settle down with.

This time, however, protagonist Naveen (Karan Soni) is the one planning to bring home a nice Indian boy, which is probably not what all those aunties were picturing. But "A Nice Indian Boy" delights in defying expectations, even as it follows a traditional love story structure. For starters, Naveen's parents know that he's gay, which immediately releases the film from covering a coming out story along with everything else it tries to accomplish. And as for that nice Indian boy … meet Jay (Groff).

Groff's character was adopted by Indian parents, grew up praying to Ganesh (which he pronounces correctly, ga-NAYsh and not ga-NESH), and loving "DDLJ." Once again, "A Nice Indian Boy" cleverly spares the audience a familiar and taxing storyline; Naveen doesn't have to explain his culture and upbringing to the fiendishly charismatic photographer (they're even from the same part of India, both with Marathi last names) and after the aforementioned singing on a truly memorable first date, things get serious.

But where "A Nice Indian Boy" does tread old territory is when Naveen has to tell his parents, played by Hindi film veteran Harish Patel and comedian Zarna Garg in her feature debut (and a perfect on-screen distillation of her standup persona), what's happening in his romantic life. The first generation kid keeping his personal life from his parents isn't new, but is complicated by race, sexuality, and the seemingly perfect life of Naveen's sister Arundhathi - whose storyline feels like an afterthought, but one understandably written in to utilize co-star Sunita Mani .

Soni brings his finely-honed awkwardness to Naveen, wearing a coat of discomfort even as he hits milestones that should provide relief, like coming out and falling in love. His deft timing provides most laughs in the film, along with Garg's keen awareness of how to hit a punchline (and later on, elicit tears).

Like Sethi's "7 Days," the cultural touches in "A Nice Indian Boy" never feel like an afterthought. From the last names to the licensed songs and footage from "DDLJ" to the strategically placed song by the out-and-proud Ali Sethi , this is not a South Asian movie made with the sole purpose of peddling its South Asian-ness. Sethi's passion for love stories is inherently intertwined in his love for Indian culture and cinema, and now with his queer identity as he applies those potent if predictable storytelling techniques.

Bollywood love isn't only for straight people (something the Indian industry is only incrementally dismantling), and in "A Nice Indian Boy," Naveen realizes that it's not just for Indian people either. When love is that big, it spans cultures and generations, bringing everybody together in the end - just like "DDLJ."

"A Nice Indian Boy" premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution.

Screen Rant

A nice indian boy review: karan soni & jonathan groff are perfect together in heartfelt rom-com.

A Nice Indian Boy is a film that perfectly blends romance and comedy, and throws in culture and a whole lot of heart to go with it.

Naveen & Jay's touching romance is the heart of A Nice Indian Boy.
Karan Soni & Jonathan Groff's chemistry shines.
The family dynamic adds depth and emotion to A Nice Indian Boy.

There are many romantic comedies released that are neither romantic or funny. It’s a difficult balance to maintain, with the comedy often overpowering any genuine romance, as filmmakers opt for flimsy or superficial pairings. I had that on my mind when I walked into A Nice Indian Boy , a film that perfectly blends romance and comedy and throws in culture and a whole lot of heart to go with it. Karan Soni and Hamilton's Jonathan Groff are pitch-perfect together, and the obstacles they face — internal and family-related — are handled with care and love.

Self-effacing doctor Naveen Gavaskar meets Jay Kurundkar, a white man adopted by two Indian parents, when Jay takes his picture at the hospital. Despite initial skepticism on Naveen’s part, the two quickly fall in love. Naveen avoids telling his traditional family, who accepted his sexuality but increasingly don’t know much about his life.

A Nice Indian Boy has a touching, beautiful romance at its center
Karan Soni & Jonathan Groff make a perfect pair
The film's supporting characters are well-developed
The film is lovely because it's about romantic & familial love

Directed by Roshan Sethi, who’s working off a screenplay by Eric Randall, A Nice Indian Boy has everything you could want from a rom-com: Lead actors with chemistry, touching moments, a plot that isn’t contrived, and family involvement that is more authentic than silly. It follows Naveen (Soni), a doctor who meets Jay (Groff), a photographer, at an Indian temple. When they begin to date, Naveen is hesitant, still uncomfortable with the amount of affection and emotion Jay displays. This is primarily because his parents (Harish Patel and Zarna Garg) know he’s gay, but don’t exactly know how to act or be supportive.

A Nice Indian Boy’s Family Dynamic Enriches The Story

The film is split into four chapters that tell Naveen and Jay’s love story, leading to Jay meeting Naveen’s family. Much of the conflict arises from Naveen’s parents feeling distant from him, while Naveen has purposefully created that distance to protect himself from their discomfort. Naveen’s relationship with Jay opens up the doors of communication and love, leaving Naveen with more than his previous assumptions. The family dynamic is well-developed, emotionally deep and deeply funny at the same time.

The rom-com brings love and humor to the table while tackling a story with tenderness, wearing its heart on its sleeve without shame.

Naveen’s family, including sister Arundhathi (Sunita Mani), isn't simply there to be his support system; they have their own complexities and issues to deal with. A Nice Indian Boy , which is based on the play by Madhuri Shekar, is not about contriving drama for drama’s sake. Rather, it’s a layered story that is true to the characters, with their emotional journeys driving the narrative forward and making the film all the richer for it. The cultural specificity of the film is also quite lovely, grounding the story while keeping it focused, with the supporting characters adding meaning to the narrative.

In addition to Naveen’s relationship with his family, the romance at the center of the film is beautifully crafted and gets to the heart of its characters. Even the drama Naveen and Jay face helps them grow closer together, especially as Naveen realizes that his family can’t be avoided. Neither the writing nor directing is afraid to get sentimental, and the big moments are both moving and infused with some hilarity. A touch of Bollywood, courtesy of the classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge , elevates an already exceptional rom-com and reminds us why we love this genre to begin with.

A Nice Indian Boy (2024)

Karan soni & jonathan groff are fantastic together.

Of course, a rom-com would be nothing without the romantic chemistry between its leads, and Soni and Groff deliver above and beyond on that front. Groff’s piercing stares are filled with love and heat, and he manages to bring warmth and adorable corniness to a role that could have easily been disingenuously cheesy. Soni, on the other hand, leans into the hesitance and discomfort of his character, though the actor makes sure to showcase the desire and love brimming beneath the surface.

It’s with Soni’s character, in particular, that A Nice Indian Boy underscores how shame and fear can live in someone’s body, even as he tries to fight it and open up every step of the way. In many ways, Naveen’s relationship gave him the space to fall in love with Jay, but with himself, too, especially as he begins to shed the fear of wanting the very things he’d closed the door on before. The rom-com is more than just a romantic love story — it’s also one of familial and self-love.

Gorgeously told, A Nice Indian Boy is not only elevated by a fantastic cast with great comedic timing, but by an excellent score and tight storytelling. Its themes are strong, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome, carefully weaving together a multilayered narrative that has solid chapters that come together in an emotional ending that left me overwhelmed with its sincerity. All told, the rom-com brings love and humor to the table while tackling a story with tenderness, wearing its heart on its sleeve without shame.

A Nice Indian Boy premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

‘A Nice Indian Boy’ Isn’t Afraid to Admit the Truth About Love: It’s a Mess

The new romantic comedy, which premiered at this year’s SXSW, is a modest but heartfelt take on what happens when big culture and slight cowardice collide.

Coleman Spilde

Entertainment Critic

I’ve always said that there aren’t enough romantic comedies that depict how horrific most first dates are. I’ve been on enough casual meetups that have crashed and burned to know that these disasters occur far more often than not. Clicking with someone—in real life, mind you—enough to make a couple of hours (at least!) of consistent, enjoyable conversation is not a simple feat. Luckily, A Nice Indian Boy , which premiered at SXSW March 12, isn’t afraid to let its pair of lovebirds seem fundamentally mismatched, and for a good chunk of its runtime to boot.

That’s not an oversight in the film’s casting; its leads have chemistry, albeit some that takes a decent amount of time to dig up. Rather, it’s a testament to the movie’s reluctance to make life seem as neat and tidy as formulaic rom-coms suggest it can be. Love is messy, and we often don’t understand the true, immense depth of it until we’re many months or years into it, long enough to let it fundamentally change who we are. While that might be a little intense for a film that’s by-and-large a conventional romance, A Nice Indian Boy is filled with enough novel truth to transcend its predictable elements, leaving viewers with a film that feels like a genuine love story, instead of an idealistic imitation.

A Nice Indian Boy centers on Naveen (Karan Soni), a young, gay Indian man whose traditional parents are anxious to set him up with a—you guessed it—nice Indian boy. Given that Naveen is both a wildly busy doctor and an adorably bashful wallflower, dating isn’t something that necessarily comes easily to him. He’s content with his job, small handful of friends, and weekly dinners with his mother Megha (Zarna Garg), father Archit (Harish Patel), and older sister Arundhathi (Sunita Mani), where the conversation usually turns to Naveen’s love life. Seemingly by divine intervention, he sees Jay (Jonathan Groff) while praying at a local Hindu temple, and meets him again when Jay is hired to take the new ID badge photos at Naveen’s hospital.

Initially, their connection seems kismet, orchestrated by the Hindu god of new beginnings, Ganesha (who has always been Naveen’s personal favorite). But just as quickly as they strike up a rapport, Jay and Naveen’s first real rendezvous quickly goes south when Jay, a white guy, seems to be “more Indian” than Naveen does. Jay was adopted and raised by Indian parents, and took to the big, open-hearted, loving culture from a young age. He’s the diametrical opposite of the timid Naveen, and when Jay starts singing on the sidewalk and vaping on their date, it seems like the pair isn’t a match after all. Finally, a film that is reluctant to display the primal horrors of finding out that you’re on a date with a theater gay until it’s too late!

This one not-so-great outing, of course, doesn’t deter Naveen entirely, but it is enough to make him suspicious. A Nice Indian Boy cleverly chronicles the perils of dating while anxious and unsure. Those with a similar disposition to Naveen will find themselves reflected in his character’s tightly-wound-and-locked-tight personality. This is the rare romantic comedy to have actual interest in studying the kinds of relationships that we settle for when we’re new to love, queer love especially. These connections are often incongruous and a little off-kilter, but we pursue them because we subconsciously think they might teach us something about ourselves. Like anyone who has been inside one of these dynamics, Naveen eventually finds that he’s gravitating toward something precisely because it feels a little uncomfortable.

Jay and Naveen’s dissimilar natures clash even further when Naveen brings Jay to meet the family, who are all surprised to see that Jay is a handsome white guy, and one who has more than a few quirks that take some getting used to. These scenes with Naveen’s family are where A Nice Indian Boy finds its most consistent and heartwarming laughs, sending up Indian culture and Megha and Archit’s attempts to transcend their conservative upbringing for their liberal-leaning desires.

Though Soni is playing a coy character, he’s quite skilled at keeping the larger parts of Naveen’s personality just under the surface, waiting to be drawn out. And though Groff’s Jay isn’t always so adept at extracting those impulses from his new boyfriend, the two still feel connected regardless of the discordancy that their relationship is working through. This gives Soni plenty of opportunities for crafty, natural comic delivery, and supplies Naveen’s family with just as many chances to volley these jokes back at him. Garg is particularly sublime at balancing the comedic and affectionate sides of her character, fleshing Megha out into a beautifully realized mother whose life is far more complex than either of her children initially realize. Whether she’s explaining the plot of Milk to her gay son beat-by-beat or asking a wedding planner if there are discounts if the ceremony is held on September 11, Garg is a total hoot.

In a film as modest as A Nice Indian Boy , having a scene-stealer like Garg can be both a hindrance and an asset. She livens up the film, but also makes it easier to tell when others aren’t quite matching her energy. Groff is as understated as he’s required to be, which occasionally makes Naveen and Jay’s relationship feel a tad passionless. But as we soon learn, the question of how much overt passion every romantic relationship should have is very much on the table, and the restraint of some characters begins to make more sense, just not before it’s specifically communicated.

Eric Randall’s screenplay avoids falling too far into that same moderation, nicely balancing his comedic edge and the script’s more sentimental elements. Randall can’t, however, keep A Nice Indian Boy from feeling like a stage-to-screen adaptation (the film is based on the play by Madhuri Shekar), but that is merely a curse that almost all plays turned into films must wrestle with. A Nice Indian Boy wears that bane far more fashionably than others.

By its end, this tale of peculiar love feels relatable and empathetic. This is how real people operate; none of the characters in A Nice Indian Boy feel like caricatures or thinly sketched archetypes of a rom-com’s usual suspects. And watching Naveen learn how to come out of his shell on his own terms is a transformation that few genre films really understand how to convey. While the movie is small and simple, that unassuming essence works in its favor. A Nice Indian Boy is content with being enjoyable, a film that doesn’t reach for the stars; rather, it is just happy to exist. And that’s exactly how love should feel: forged with passion, but managed with care.

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The Great Indian Family
Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Sep 22, 2023. Sukanya Verma Rediff.com. The Great Indian Family sees rising intolerance as a game of snakes and ladders and democracy as a ritual for arriving ...
The Great Indian Family Movie Review
Dhaval Roy, Sep 22, 2023, 02.46 PM IST Critic's Rating: 2.5/5. Story: The Great Indian Family story: Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Bhajan Kumar, is a devout Hindu man who faces an identity crisis and a ...
The Great Indian Family
Where to watch The Great Indian Family Subscription Rent/buy. Watch The Great Indian Family with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Apple TV, or buy on Apple TV. Rate And Review.
The Great Indian Family (2023)
The Great Indian Family: Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya. With Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa. Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Bhajan Kumar, is a devout Hindu man who faces an identity crisis and a personal dilemma when he discovers he is actually a Muslim by birth.
'The Great Indian Family' movie review: Vicky Kaushal shines in this
'The Great Indian Family' movie review: Vicky Kaushal shines in this sharp drama against religious bigotry Writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya addresses the rising hate-mongering in society ...
The Great Indian Family Review: Vicky Kaushal Starrer is a Good-Natured
Rejection of Toxic Humour. Written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya (he is of Thugs of Hindostan (2018), Dhoom 3 (2013) and Tashan (2008) fame), The Great Indian Family has a premise that's quite similar to Dharam Sankat Mein.But of course, the footprint has changed. The staging is simple: A young pandit named Ved Vyas Tripathi (Vicky Kaushal), who hails from the foremost Brahmin family ...
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The film keeps it simple and has a running time of less than two hours, which works in its favour. If it had been longer, 'The Great Indian Family' would have become a complete snooze fest. 'The Great Indian Family' is your two-hour lesson on 'being human,' which is partly boring, partly preachy.
The Great Indian Family Movie Review: A genuine message, but falls
Story: The Great Indian Family story: Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Bhajan Kumar, is a devout Hindu man who faces an identity crisis and a personal dilemma when he discovers he is actually a Muslim by birth. Review: Pandit Siyaram Tripathi (Kumud) is a revered priest whose family conducts all the religious ceremonies in Balrampur.The town and Tripathi household's star is their son, Ved Vyas ...
The Great Indian Family Review
The Great Indian Family Review. The Great Indian Family Review: After three back-to-back action-driven films with YRF, Vijay Krishna Acharya finally comes to a simple zone with "The Great Indian Family," starring Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, and Kumud Mishra.The idea of family dramas was stuck to melodrama and tragedies in the 90s—a decade that gave us blockbusters like ...
The Great Indian Family (2023)
The Great Indian Family (2023) : Movie Review - After three back-to-back action-driven films with YRF, Vijay Krishna Acharya finally comes to a simple zone with "The Great Indian Family," starring Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, and Kumud Mishra. The idea of family dramas was stuck to melodrama and tragedies in the 90s-a decade ...
The Great Indian Family movie review: Just the kind of film Bollywood
The Great Indian Family is just the kind of film Bollywood should be making more of. Wait, scratch that. The Great Indian Family is just the kind of film Bollywood shouldn't be making more of. Not because it doesn't have a topical, much-needed idea, b ut because having a great premise isn't enough. Diluting it with lax execution does more harm than good.
'The Great Indian Family' Review: Vicky Kaushal shines in a fluffy film
The Great Indian Family makes the same demand from us. The crux of Vicky Kaushal's family entertainer is an issue that has polarised India - Hindu-Muslim disunity.
The Great Indian Family Movie Review
1 hours 52 minutes. The Great Indian Family Movie Review. Filmfare. Times Of India. critic's rating: 3.5/5. Dharmputra (1961), produced by BR Chopra and directed by Yash Chopra, was the first ...
The Great Indian Family (2023) Movie Review
The Great Indian Family (2023) Movie Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Yashpal Sharma, Sadiya Siddiqui, Alka Amin, Srishti Dixit, Bhuvan Arora, Aasif Khan, Ashutosh Ujjwal. The Great Indian Family (2023) Movie Genre: Family Drama, Runtime: 1h 52m. Where to watch The Great Indian Family.
'The Great Indian Family' Review: Yash Chopra's Spirit Is Thriving
So, it's refreshing to see Yash Raj Films reigniting that long-extinguished spirit with The Great Indian Family. Vijay Krishna Acharya's The Great Indian Family follows Ved Vyas Tripathi, son of Pandit Siya Ram Tripathi. Ved goes by the name Bhajan Kumar because, on the day of his sacred thread ceremony (which marks an upper-caste Brahmin ...
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The Great Indian Family Movie Review: Final Verdict Keeping all the weak points aside, The Great Indian Family will make you think. While it opens to a slow start, it blends romance, spirituality, family dynamics and social conflict all in one narrative.
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Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar led dramedy, The Great Indian Family, directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, is a lovely, heart-warming film that successfully delivers a strong and pertinent message.
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The Great Indian Family Movie Review 2023 : The Great Indian Family Critics Rating 2.0/5. THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY is the story of a devotional singer. Ved Vyas Tripathi (Vicky Kaushal) lives in ...
'The Great Indian Family' Hindi movie review
The Great Indian Family review: Vijay Krishna Acharya's plea for inclusivity in diversity Vijay Krishna Acharya shows a huge improvement from Thugs of Hindostan, but a stronger female lead would have elevated the movie.
The Great Indian Family Review
In comparison, The Great Indian Family, directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, known for big ticket movies like Tashan, Dhoom 3 and Thugs of Hindostan, is a toothless take on the religious bigotry ...
The Great Indian Family
The Great Indian Family is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language comedy drama film written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. ... The film received negative reviews and was a box-office bomb, earning only ₹5.65 crores domestically. Plot. The film begins with the backstory of Ved Vyas ...
The Great Indian Family Movie Review by Anupama Chopra
What happens when a popular bhajan singer discovers that he might be Muslim by birth? That is the question posed by Vijay Krishna Acharya's The Great Indian...
Honest Review: The Great Indian Family movie review
The Great Indian Family is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language family comedy drama movie written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and produced by Aditya Chopra...
'A Nice Indian Boy' Review: This Charming, if By-the-Book ...
But where "A Nice Indian Boy" does tread old territory is when Naveen has to tell his parents, played by Hindi film veteran Harish Patel and comedian Zarna Garg in her feature debut (and a perfect ...
A Nice Indian Boy Review: Karan Soni & Jonathan Groff Are Perfect
A Nice Indian Boy's Family Dynamic Enriches The Story The film is split into four chapters that tell Naveen and Jay's love story, leading to Jay meeting Naveen's family. Much of the conflict arises from Naveen's parents feeling distant from him, while Naveen has purposefully created that distance to protect himself from their discomfort.
'A Nice Indian Boy' SXSW Review: Opposites Attract in Boundary-Breaking
A Nice Indian Boy is content with being enjoyable, a film that doesn't reach for the stars; rather, it is just happy to exist. And that's exactly how love should feel: forged with passion, but ...
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Comedian Kapil Sharma hosts this laugh-out-loud variety talk show with celebrity guests, hilarious antics and his signature supporting cast. Watch trailers & learn more.