The Kandasamys is about two Indian families whose children’s love for each other brings them together. Despite some hilarious mishaps and drama, the families must learn to get along. The 2017 South African Indian comedy film Keeping Up with the Kandasamys (or simply Kandasamys) was the first South African Indian film to be widely shown in theaters. It was directed by Jayan Moodley. Maeshni Naicker, Jailoshini Naidoo, Madhushan Singh, and Mishqah Parthiephal are among its stars. The movie made more than R4 million at the box office in its first week and more than R16 million (US$1 million) after that. It became the highest-grossing movie in South Africa for the year and the highest-grossing South African movie worldwide in 2017[1]. It also participated in North American film festivals.

Plot

Shanti Naidoo is a typical mother from Indo-South Africa. She is well-known in the community for her generosity and excellent cooking, as well as being overprotective and overbearing toward her family. Her life would be okay, then again, actually her neighbor, Jennifer Kandasamy, consistently appears to hold the advantage. Jennifer is driven by a career and always manages to outdo Shanti in every way. Life for the two women appears to be a constant struggle to keep up with each other. She is intelligent, elegant, and classy. Jennifer is determined to end their relationship when she learns that her daughter Jodi is in love with Shanti’s son Prishen. However, she will need the assistance of her adversary in order to accomplish that.

Reaction

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised it for showing the South African Indian community and its unexpected impact on the local film industry. Jared Beukes of HuffPost gave it a positive review, praising Moodley’s “heartfelt intent” for the film and Jailoshini Naidoo’s performance. Gabi Zietsman of Channel 24 gave the film a 3/5 rating, praising it for showing a “Work great as a team and produced an entertaining comedy that will make you scream with laughter,” Zietsman said after praising Moodley and the screenplay by Rory Booth. He additionally singled out Naidoo’s exhibition for acclaim expressing that “can’t resist the urge to ask why we haven’t seen them in additional motion pictures.

In a favorable review that appeared in the Independent Online, Paul Eksteen stated, “Despite the universal, and very rom-com aesthetic of this film, it is likely to find its greatest appeal within the community it celebrates.” The little quirks that made so many people laugh at the screening I went to will be appreciated most there. Being a part of the joke helps. “[The] terrible writing and misfired humor made it an exhausting viewing experience, and more than that, the movie missed out on a huge opportunity to educate communities in South Africa residing outside of Chatsworth,” stated Haji Mohamed Dawjee of Eyewitness News.

Cast

• Madhushan Singh as Prishen Naidoo, Jodi’s boyfriend, Preggie and Shanti Naidoo’s son, and Desan’s brother
• Mishqah Parthiephal as Jodi Kandasamy, Prishen’s girlfriend, Elvis and Jennifer’s daughter and Aya’s granddaughter
• Jailoshini Naidoo as Jennifer Kandasamy, Elvis’s wife, Jodi’s mother, Aya’s daughter-in-law, and Shanti’s old school friend
• Maeshni Naicker as Shanti Naidoo, Preggie’s wife, Prishen and Desan’s mother, and Jennifer’s old school friend
• Koobeshan Naidoo as Elvis Kandasamy, Jennifer’s husband, Jodi’s father, and Aya’s son.
• Rajesh Gopie as Preggie Naidoo, Shanti’s husband and Prishen and Desan’s father
• Mariam Bassa as Aya Kandasamy, Elvis’s mother, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, and Jodi’s granny
• Vashir Kemraj as Desan, Preggie and Shanti’s son and Prishen’s younger brother
• Neil Govender as Marlin, Jody’s best friend and also an events organiser
• Rushil Juglall as Arsevan, worker of Marlin’s and dj at Aaya’s birthday party
• Rory Booth as Asheel
• Alisha Authbehari as Devani
• Samantha Govender as Vassie
• Melanie Kisten as Mala
• Sanam Sitaram as Berenice
• Junaid Ahmed as Stall Owner
• Ruben Naidoo as Bangladesh Uncle
• Bivash Mahabeer as Road Boy
• Logie Naidoo as MC
• Mishka Gounden as Meryl
• O’Neil Nair as Dylan

Awards

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