Watch Miss India America

Miss India America is a heart-warming and humorous movie released in 2015, directed by Ravi Kapoor, starring an ensemble cast including Tiya Sircar, Hannah Simone, and Kosha Patel. The movie explores the story of Lily Prasad (played by Tiya Sircar), a brilliant high school senior with a clear goal - to win the Miss India Golden State pageant to get into her dream college, UCLA. The movie unfolds the story of Lily's struggle to win the competition, her relationship with her parents, and her best friend.

The movie takes off with a teenage rivalry between Lily Prasad and her ex-friend and competitor Satvika (played by Kosha Patel), for the title of Miss India America. However, things take an interesting turn when Satvika's younger sister Sonia (played by Meera Simhan) informs Lily that Satvika had been disqualified because she failed the moral character test required to participate in the pageant. Consequently, Lily decides to compete without any competition, believing it to be her best opportunity to get into UCLA, as the winner of Miss India Golden State secures an admission offer to the university.

Nonetheless, the path ahead for Lily is far from easy. She needs a talent for the talent round, and so she seeks help from her eccentric friend Seema (played by Hannah Simone) to teach her dance moves that could woo the judges. However, things go haywire when Lily's parents find out about her plan. They firmly advise her not to participate in the pageant, as they believe academic excellence is far more important than winning a beauty pageant. But Lily refuses to listen to her parents' advice.

The movie does an excellent job in depicting the Indian-American cultural conflict that often arises in the first-generation immigrant families. The culture clash between the parents, who have their own traditional expectations from their daughter, and Lily, who is trying to fit into the American way of life, is beautifully portrayed through witty dialogues and clever character development.

The story also explores Lily's struggle to help her close friend, Ajit (played by Satya Bhabha), who is secretly in love with her but is afraid to admit it. Her decision to date a non-Indian guy and her eventual rift with her friends and family is portrayed with genuine emotions and highlights the difficulties that young Indian-Americans face while trying to balance their American and Indian cultural identities.

The climax of the movie takes place at the Miss India Golden State pageant, where Lily faces an unexpected obstacle that takes the story into an entirely different direction. The pageant's portrayal is realistic, showcasing the backstage chaos, last-minute preparations, and the competitive atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the movie is the superb performances by its cast. Tiya Sircar as Lily Prasad gives an exceptional performance as a determined, headstrong teenage girl who is trying to find her way in life. Her portrayal of a conflicted teenager, struggling to navigate life's challenges, is both relatable and realistic. Kosha Patel as Satvika delivers a convincing performance as a cunning, competitive teenager who, although seemingly successful, is wracked with insecurity.

Hannah Simone, known for her portrayals in popular TV series, New Girl, delivers an excellent performance as Seema, the quirky, supportive friend who helps Lily in her quest. Her scenes with Tiya Sircar are hilarious, witty, and heartwarming, bringing much-needed comic relief to the movie.

Overall, Miss India America is an exceptional movie that strikes a balance between drama and comedy. The movie is a timely, relatable, and engaging coming-of-age story that tackles issues of cultural identity, friendship, and family relationships with grace and humor. The movie's witty dialogues, outstanding performances, and the colorful depiction of the Indian-American culture makes it a must-watch.

Miss India America is a 2016 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.