“India Sweets and Spices” is an American-drama written and directed by Geeta Malik. It stars Sophia Ali as Alia and Manisha Koirala as Sheila, along with Rish Shah and Adil Hussain as Dr. Ranjit Kapur as Alia’s father.
I watched it on Netflix India and honestly my feelings about it kept changing as the movie went on. At the beginning, it looked very glamorous and almost like a peek into a rich Indian-American world where everything seems perfect on the surface. The big houses, weekly parties and women dressed in beautiful sarees and lehengas made it visually appealing but at the same time it felt over the top and even slightly disconnected. I did feel like the story was moving slowly at first and I was still trying to figure out where it was going.
What really changed things for me was when Alia started questioning what was happening around her instead of just accepting it. Her curiosity and her growing independence made the story more interesting. Meeting and getting close to the new family connected to the local grocery store slowly opened up a different side of her world and things started to feel more layered and real.
As the movie goes on, it becomes clear that the “perfect” image of these families is just that, an image. There are secrets, old decisions and unspoken truths that everyone is aware of but chooses not to talk about it. That part made the story feel much more human because it showed how people often live with things instead of confronting them.
One of the most impactful parts for me was Sheila’s past. Seeing her younger self and her strong personality added a lot of depth to her character. It helped me understand her better and see that she is not just a mother in the present but someone who also had her own voice, choices and struggles.
By the end, Alia feels more aware of herself and the people around her and starts finding her own direction. Sheila also reconnects with her strength and stands up for what she believes is right, while the father finally acknowledges his mistakes and wants to make things better.
Overall, “India Sweets and Spices” feels like a story about appearances, identity and family truths. It starts off looking light and glamorous but slowly turns into something more emotional and real. It shows that every family has layers you do not see at first glance.
Edited by Bidhya Sapkota and Stuti Khadka
