Keeping Up With The Kandasamys

Keeping Up With The Kandasamys is a 2017 South African comedy-drama film directed by Jayan Moodley and starring Alisha Authbehari, Mariam Bassa, and Rory Booth in prominent roles. Funny, heartwarming, and insightful, this movie navigates the complex amalgam of culture, family, and friendship. It is set in the vibrant and colorful context of a South African Indian community in Chatsworth, Durban.

The film follows the story of two family matriarchs, Shanti Kandasamy (played by Maeshni Naicker) and Jennifer Naidoo (played by Jailoshini Naidoo), who live next door to each other but are pulled apart by years of bickering and rivalry. At its heart, Keeping Up with the Kandasamys is about the age-old feud between these two matrons. Their competitive spirit, veiled insults, obsession with maintaining ostentatious households, and their determination to outdo one another provide a humorous backdrop to the unfolding tale.

This feud is further complicated when it emerges that their respective children – Jodi Kandasamy (played by Mishqah Parthiephal) and Prinesh Naidoo (played by Madhushan Singh), who have grown up side by side and fallen in love with each other. The young hearts wonder if their love could survive the feud and if they could ever bring their families together. Suddenly, the two proud mothers are forced to cut through their rivalries and play accomplices in a story that's equally delightful, heart-warming and comical.

The film beautifully portrays the complexities of modern-day relationships under the guise of traditional cultural norms. It discusses love, rivalry, and friendship while offering an insightful peek into the Indian community's culture and lifestyle in South Africa. The movie captures the vibrant colors, rich tastes, and lively sounds of the Indian community in Durban and extends beyond the physical scenery to the colorful world of personalities and family dynamics. The narrative, cleverly interwoven with comic punches and witty dialogues, represents plot twists that would keep audiences glued to their seats.

Feisty Shanti Kandasamy embodied by Maeshni Naicker and equally regal Jennifer Naidoo played by Jailoshini Naidoo, are the soul of the movie. Their on-screen chemistry, coupled with their love-hate relationship, adds to the comic element. Furthermore, Alisha Authbehari, Mariam Bassa, and Rory Booth have all put in commendable performances that lend credibility to the film's overarching story.

Keeping Up With The Kandasamy uses humor to address significant social issues concerning arranged marriages, parental intervention in children's lives, and the importance of letting go to ease reconciliation and healing. The film's strength also lies in its charming exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, revealing layers of emotion that help to ground the comedy in characters that feel both authentic and relatable.

The film brings a refreshing take on the portrayal of the lifestyle, traditions, and attitudes of the South African Indian community, negating stereotypes and focusing on the beauty of Desi life in the suburbs of Durban.

Multi-layered, beautifully acted and cleverly characterized, Keeping Up With The Kandasamys isn't merely a film about two feuding families. It's a reflection of their community's intrinsic values and traditions, their struggles with modern aspirations, and their heartfelt bond of love, friendship, and human connection. Each character is well-rounded, with a depth that dips beneath their surface, which endears them to viewers and embeds them in their hearts. The humor, a relatable narrative, a unique cultural setting and a strong cast make for a delightful watch.

In essence, Keeping Up With The Kandasamys is a lovely potpourri of high culture and humor served within a setting that is both familiar and original. The film is an enjoyable blend of comedy, drama, and romance, all set against the backdrop of an insightfully depicted South African Indian community. The film commands the viewer's attention with its captivating plot, engaging characters, and seamless direction, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking heart-warming entertainment with a well given cultural make-up.