A Review of ‘Curry Scent’: A Desi romcom that frequently tickles the senses
A young Indian lady in the U.S. must choose her rationale for getting married while dealing with her family, prospective suitors and their difficult folks.
‘Curry Scent’: A Desi romcom that freqeuntly enthuses the senses
Cast: Akalvir, Abi Bais, Justin David, Priya Deva, Talha Ehtasham, Nikhil Kamkolkar, Anirudh Keshamouni, Sameer Khan, Melanie Kiran, Lauren Lich, Michael MacLeod, Nirvan Patnaik, Indigo Sabharwal, Anita Sharma, Malvika Sheth, Krishna Sistla Ward, Courtney Warner
Critic’s Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Director: Christa Boarini
Duration: 1 hour, 44 minutes
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Language: English
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
A young Indian lady in the U.S. must choose her rationale for getting married while dealing with her family, prospective suitors and their difficult folks.
Review:
Curry Scent is a lightweight and enjoyable though somewhat predictable romantic comedy involving desi Indian families in Florida. While the script is studded with a fair amount of laughs and integrity is the underlying message, the film loses a bit of steam in its second half. Some of the humour is refreshing and surprising while on other occasions, it seems a bit contrived. Still, this romcom scores well at playing off on the Indian stereotypes. It also poses the question: is it possible to pursue the American Dream for immigrants whose hearts truly belong in their homeland? This likeable flick also toys with the notion as to how much our destinies are set and whether our decisions can be based on choice or good fortune.
Curry Scent opens with the sweet and kind Geetha (Indigo Sabharwal) revelling in a picturesque montage of memories back in India before she is literally slapped in the face by an unpromising reality in the U.S. That evening, the young lady returns to her hardworking joint family that is living out of a dingy rented house. With her colourful and earnest relatives struggling to make ends meet in blue collar jobs and the threat of eviction looming over them, Geetha feels it necessary to marry into a wealthy family in order to help support her brood. So, she enlists her mother Mira (Melanie Kiran), her father Ravi (Nikhil Kamkolkar), her brother Samir (Nirvan Patnaik) and her aunt, uncle and two male cousins to help her assess prospects on a marital website.
Geetha and Family finally zero on Krishna (Anirudh Keshamouni) who apparently comes from money. Though not particularly enthused by him during their first meeting at a coffee shop, she agrees to join him and his parents for lunch at his folks’ mansion a short while later. Taking her brother Samir along for the meal, Geetha is subject to the inevitable sizing up and grilling by Krishna’s fastidious mother Suman (Priya Deva) while his father Suresh (Sameer Khan) is too preoccupied with his business to care much. However, during the awkward rendezvous, the unsettled Geetha catches the fancy of Krishna’s carefree younger brother Lush (Michael MacLeod). Also, taken by the news that Geetha’s mother is an Indian classical vocalist, Suman suggests that the lady perform at an upcoming party.
An unpleasant surprise awaits Geetha and her household at the event, which turns out to be an unexpected celebration. However, Lush continues to put the moves on Geetha to whom he is apparently growing in attraction. However, Geetha is more practical and circumspect, gauging the attitude of his parents and his obligation to please them. Is engagement on the cards for these two youngsters? And will the eligible spinster’s own parents approve of the possible union - knowing the uncomfortable equation they have with the prospective in-laws? Answers to these questions unfold over a well-planned dinner and an impromptu invitation to a beach house. Meanwhile, a huge quirk of fate is likely to throw another spanner in the works.
What Curry Scent lacks in a plausible and engaging story, it compensates for by charmingly capturing the Indian spirit. Hence, there are appealing references to strong familial-bonding, profound philosophy, elaborate dress sense, robust cultural affiliation, passionately-delivered traditional music and of course, intrusively aromatic food. While Sabharwal’s performance in the lead could have been a little more animated and her chemistry with MacLeod is merely satisfactory, there is enough of exuberant support around the couple. The standouts are Patnaik as Geetha’s self-possessed brother and Deva as Krishna and Lush’s snooty and sardonic Mom. Writer Nisha Sabharwal does a commendable job at imparting each character with comic personality, while Christa Boarini’s direction is adequate. If you’re in the mood for humour and love with Indian flavouring, Curry Scent serves up a minor feast.
