Written by Nisha Sabharwal and directed by Christa Boarini, Curry Scent is an immigrant love story. It’s a tale of finding love and an exploration of love for one’s family and culture. Set in Florida, Curry Scent follows Geetha (Indigo Sabharwal), a recent immigrant from India, as she navigates the challenges of achieving the American Dream with her parents, brother, and cousins. To make ends meet, all eight of Geetha’s family live in a one-bedroom apartment and take on multiple jobs.
Even with all the hard work they put in, Geetha’s family is struggling—her parents can’t keep up with the bills, her cousins resent their construction jobs, and their neighbor is upset by the smell of curry and threatens to evict them. Determined to help, Geetha resolves to marry a wealthy man, believing it’s the only way to secure a better future for her family.
Geetha’s exhaustive search for a husband brings her to Krishna (Anirudh Keshamouni), who impresses her family during a lunch gathering. However, things get complicated when Krishna invites Geetha and her family to a family event where his parents reveal they have already arranged a marriage for him with someone else. Tensions rise when Krishna’s mother goes out of her way to demean and denigrate the old ways and traditions of Geetha’s family.
As Geetha storms off, she runs into Krishna’s younger brother, Lush (Michael MacLeod), who also shows interest in Geetha. While his parents’ wishes bind Krishna, Lush has more freedom and wants to court Geetha secretly. But is Lush too American, and can she put up with Lush’s parent’s disrespectful attitude?
“Geetha resolves to marry a wealthy man, believing it’s the only way to secure a better future for her family.”
Tensions escalate when Krishna’s mother disrespects Geetha and her family, exposing cultural and class prejudices. Amid these challenges, Geetha and her family reflect on what they truly value in a partner—honesty and good intentions.
Curry Scent is a sweet romantic tale about a loving daughter willing to sacrifice for her family by marrying a wealthy Indian man. I’m not Indian, but it’s not hard to understand and embrace the film’s tribute to Indian culture.
The film is full of clever cultural tensions. First, there is the contrast in class (or caste), where Geetha’s poor family may find the golden ticket with Krishna’s wealthy family. Then, there is the tension of a young woman caught between helping her family through marriage and desiring her freedom to choose whom she will marry.
Lastly, there is a difference in class between American and traditional Indian culture. Krishna’s family has been in the U.S. for a long time and has embraced our country’s sensibilities regarding work and love. One running tradition is Geetha’s entire family spying (chaperoning) on all her dates. Compare that to Lush’s desire to connect with his Indian culture through curry.
For a low-budget indie, Curry Scent boasts a large cast. Some actors are starting out, so line delivery sometimes feels awkward. Nisha Sabharwal’s script is a sweet love story with jokes that will resonate with its intended Indian audience and culturally curious viewers like me. Director Christa Boarini makes excellent use of the resources she’s been given. The overall film looks good while employing a few indie guerilla tricks to make Curry Scent feel cinematic.
Curry Scent is a heartfelt exploration of love, sacrifice, and cultural identity. Its charming blend of humor, romance, and poignant family dynamics creates an endearing cinematic experience that resonates beyond its Indian cultural roots. Despite some rough edges in performances, this indie gem delivers a sweet and relatable story that celebrates tradition and modernity with equal warmth.
"…heartfelt exploration of love, sacrifice, and cultural identity."
