Experience Durban's vibrant culture in new movie: My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding
Comedian and actor Theshen Naicker at the premiere of his movie My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding this week.
Image: Supplied
Durban’s rich cultural tapestry is set to shine on the silver screen this December as local audiences gear up for the highly anticipated release of My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding.
The film marks the cinematic debut of Aunty Sheila, the iconic character created and performed by comedian and actor Theshen Naicker, and promises a celebration of the city’s unique spirit, humour, and heritage.
The movie, which hits cinemas nationwide today, represents a landmark moment for Durban’s growing film industry.
Naicker, the founder of Sheila Power Productions, undertook the ambitious task of writing, producing, directing, and starring in the production, an achievement he describes as a lifelong dream finally realised.
“People told me it couldn’t be done, but I always wanted to make my own movie before I turned 40,” Naicker says. “Today, that dream has come true.”
Theshen Naicker with his co-star Kajal Maharaj.
Image: Supplied
The origins of My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding lie in a chance encounter that sparked Naicker’s imagination. After seeing an Indian bride marrying a Zulu groom, he was inspired to craft a story that captured the cultural intersections that define Durban.
“Durban is the home of the bunny chow and the Zulu Kingdom,” he reflects. “And why haven’t we made a film that brings these vibrant cultures together in love, chaos, and celebration?”
The result is a narrative steeped in Durban’s character, colourful, warm, dramatic, and proudly multicultural. The city is not merely a backdrop but a central figure in the film’s identity.
Naicker expands on this sentiment in a personal statement: “Showcasing Durban in My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding was never just a creative choice, it was a responsibility. Durban is my home, my heartbeat, and the place that shaped both Aunty Sheila and myself. Our city is rich with colour, culture, food, and the warmest people you’ll ever meet.”
Rashid Mlongo, Zukhanye Sihlobo and Theshen Naicker and Amanda Haridutt.
Image: Supplied
He adds: “I wanted audiences to see Durban the way we experience it every day vibrant, beautiful, diverse, and full of character. From the bunny chow to the Zulu Kingdom, from our beaches to our bustling streets, Durban is a story in itself.”
The cast features some of Durban’s most recognisable performers. Naicker is joined by acclaimed actress Kajal Maharaj, known to television viewers for her long-running role as Shria on Imbewu. Rashid Mlongo, a BET Award winner for Best Actor in the 48-Hour Film Project, delivers a standout performance, while the fan-favourite character Granny Amoi injects sharp humour and energy into every scene.
Their performances collectively reinforce the film’s commitment to showcasing Durban talent both in front of and behind the camera.
The storyline follows Kieran, a flamboyant reality TV star suddenly tasked with planning his cousin Anushka’s wedding with only three weeks on the clock. The twist? No one knows who the groom is.
When his identity is revealed, the family is plunged into a whirlwind of secrets and escalating drama. A hidden truth threatens to unravel the wedding, and the family, forcing Kieran to choose between protecting the fairy-tale day or exposing a revelation that could change everything.
With a mix of humour, suspense, heartfelt moments, and unmistakable Durban flavour, the film aims to appeal to families across the country.
For Naicker, the film’s ultimate success lies not only in entertainment but in representation. “This movie is my love letter to the city that raised me. If viewers walk out of the cinema feeling proud of Durban or inspired to visit it, then I’ve done my job.”