Miss India America makes it clear that, just like all of Dostoevsky’s happy families, all beauty pageants are alike; each unhappy contestant is unhappy in her own way.
Lily Prasad (Tiya Sircar) is an overachiever who seems to excel at everything. She’s valedictorian of her high school graduating class, and is heading off to Harvard on her way to becoming a brain surgeon. Her bedroom is filled with trophies and certificates and, in her Trump-like speech, she says things like, “Winning is what drives this economy forward” and “If you’re not the best, you’re one of the rest.”
Yes, she’s a little full of herself.
But, thanks to an engaging performance by Sircar (which, by the way, won her the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival award for Best Actor in a Comedy), we keep rooting for her, especially when we learn that the one thing she’s not immune to is heartbreak.
You see, her boyfriend, Karim (Kunal Sharma), is not sticking to “The Plan” — literally a scrapbook Lily keeps about their future together. In fact, he unceremoniously dumps her to date the reigning Miss India National.
Determined to win him back, she decides to enter the Miss India Golden State pageant, despite the fact that it basically kicks her best friend, Seema (Kosha Patel), to the ground and relegates her to an assistant level couched in a “Stylist to the Stars” title.
Lily quickly discovers that competing in this pageant requires skills not in her wheelhouse. She must embrace the Indian culture she rolls her eyes at and pay homage to traditions she’s ignored. She’s not only up against girl-most-likely-to-win Sonia (Hannah Simone) but she has to wrestle with her own doubts — and conscience.
It’s not surprising that this audience favorite was Kickstarter-funded. Thanks to an LAAPFF award-winning screenplay by Meera Simhan, who plays Lily’s mother, and husband Ravi Kapoor, who directs, its coming-of-age story is funny and relatable.
And, in a time when the world seems so divided, it’s a powerful reminder that, for better or worse, we’re more alike than we are different.
That sounds like a fun film. I look forward to seeing it when it comes out. I love interesting independent films. It’s great to see it’s been recognized.
Agree. I love independent films, too. So much creativity out there!
Sounds like you enjoyed the film although it hasn’t reached Australia yet! I’ve just found your website so I’m looking forward to getting to know you.
I am a major fan of Indian movies. I was thrilled to see you review this and will look for it this week.