My Cousin's Big Fat Durban Wedding blazes onto screens with culture, conflict and heart
The star studded cast of My Cousin's Big Fat Durban Wedding. The film premiered in cinemas on Friday, December 12.
Image: Annie Dorasamy
IF Durban ever needed a tourism advert, My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding just waltzed in wearing a sherwani, ululating joyfully, and said, “Relax, I’ve got this”.
The film, which premiered in cinemas on Friday, December 12, celebrates the city, its people, rhythm and cultures and how they evolve in modern South Africa.
Guided by the imagination of actor and comedian Theshen Naicker, founder of Sheila Power Productions and creator of the beloved Aunty Sheila, Naicker uses the chaos of wedding prep to explore deeper themes of social cohesion and identity, showing how Zulu and Indian traditions coexist, collide, blend, banter, and ultimately celebrate each other.
The plot is multilayered and what begins as a simple wedding spirals into a tapestry of love, relationship drama, unspoken insecurities, social expectations, and the tricky dance of acceptance.
The movie follows Kieran, a flamboyant reality TV star who suddenly finds himself responsible for planning his favourite cousin Anushka’s wedding and he has only three weeks to pull it off. But there’s one major problem: no one knows who the groom is. When the mystery groom is finally revealed, a whirlwind of drama erupts with devastating secrets that threaten to destroy the wedding and tear the family apart.
Comedian and actor Theshen Naicker at the media launch of his movie My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding at the Suncoast CineCentre on Wednesday.
Image: Supplied
For Naicker, the film unfolds as his most personal project.
In it, he does something that has arguably not been done in South African filmmaking before. Naicker has embraced the roles of writer, producer, director, and lead actor, honouring a dream that he’s carried since childhood.
“People told me it couldn’t be done… but I always wanted to make my own movie before I turned 40. That dream has come true,” he said.
Naicker’s inspiration for My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding arrived unexpectedly after seeing an Indian bride wed a Zulu man. That encounter sparked the vision for a film that captures the cultural spirit of Durban.
“Durban is the home of the Bunny Chow and the Zulu Kingdom so we made a film that brings these vibrant cultures together in love, chaos, and celebration,” he said.
Actors Rashid Mlongo and Musawenkosi Shozi have praised the collaborative environment while filming My Cousin's Big Fat Durban Wedding.
Image: Annie Dorasamy
The cast features the acclaimed Rashid Mlongo, an award-winning actor recognised with the BET Award for Best Actor in the 48-Hour Film Project. Known for his dynamic screen presence and versatility, Mlongo has appeared in the Netflix series Blood Legacy and the popular telenovela Imbewu: The Seed.
My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding marks Mlongo’s debut on the big screen.
“When I attended the audition, I was unaware of the full scope of the story. However, upon reading the script, I immediately connected with its themes and the authenticity of the situations portrayed. It felt important to highlight these experiences, particularly the message of embracing one’s true self and living authentically,” he said.
Mlongo also praised the collaborative environment of the production.
“The team was exceptional, and Theshen proved to be an outstanding leader and mentor. His trust in me and the opportunity to contribute to this project are something for which I am profoundly grateful,” he said.
Theshen Naicker with his co-star Kajal Maharaj.
Image: Supplied
Starring as the film’s female lead is Kajal Maharaj, known for her long-running role as Shria on e.tv’s Imbewu. Maharaj brings charm, strength, and emotional depth to her role.
“It’s an unconventional story, and that’s what makes it important. Many of us struggle to speak openly about our feelings around love and relationships. This film reminds us to be honest and true to who we are. By the time you leave the cinema, you’re already reflecting on your own journey. Life is short, there’s no point pretending to be someone else,” said Maharaj, who will be launching her own one woman theatre performance Woman Apart next month.
The film, also stars Musawenkosi Shozi, who has graced TV screens in Uzalo, Durban Gen, Imbewu, and Umkhokha. Shozi shared that this is more than just a film for him, it is a deeply personal tribute to his late father, who passed away in January, only a day after filming began.
“Stepping onto set after losing my father was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” he said. “I was torn between stopping everything to grieve or continuing with the production. In the end, I stayed, not because it was easy, but because it felt like the most meaningful way to honour him. Every scene I filmed carried a piece of him with me.”
Shozi explains that while the movie proudly showcases both Zulu and Indian cultures, it also shines a light on the many different ways people live, love, and navigate their identities.
“People are going to see themselves in this story,” he said. “For someone who has been living in the closet or is afraid to come out, this film will speak to them in a way that’s gentle but profound. It’s a story told with heart, with nuance, with balance and I believe audiences will feel that. They’re not just watching a film; they’re experiencing something real.” said Mlongo.
Adding to the cast is Zukanye Sihlobo, Mishka Pillay, Chrisintha Moodley and Beaumont Prince Maphumulo in supporting roles.
With its blend of laughter, tears, romance, suspense and Durban flavour, My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding promises to be the wedding of the year and everyone is invited.