Experiencing Interruptions?

NOW IS NOT A GOOD TIME

Nikita, a middle-aged South-Asian woman, spends the night with a sexy white man, Jeremy. Before he can sneak out the next morning, her parents, Shailaja and Anthony, drop by unannounced. Anthony desperately needs to use the loo. Meanwhile, Jeremy is hiding in the shower.
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The men are locked in and Nikita tries to act normal, but Shailaja senses something is off. Suspicious, she snoops around. Anthony, oblivious, soon gets out and rests in front of the TV.
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Suddenly, a loud crash is heard—Jeremy tried to escape, but he slipped and knocked himself out. Chaos ensues.
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Shailaja quickly pieces things together and scolds Nikita for her “adulterous” ways. Oh yes, Nikita is married. Her husband, Brian (also white—she has a type), has been away so they agreed to open their marriage. Shailaja is scandalized. She should’ve never let her daughter marry a white man!
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As old wounds resurface, Nikita confesses she did not enjoy “opening her marriage” with Jeremy. She only agreed to it because she feared she wasn’t enough for her husband. Shailaja’s heart softens. Only she is allowed to think her daughter isn’t good enough, not some random Brian. Nikita and Shailaja finally see eye to eye.

Jeremy is carted off to the hospital. Mother and daughter join father on the couch—just another day in Nikita’s life.

  • Natasha Maria George
    Director
  • Natasha Maria George
    Writer
  • Ricky Dong
    Producer
  • Smita Jacob
    Key Cast
    "Nikita"
  • Sumu Sathi
    Key Cast
    "Shailaja"
  • Ballo Harden
    Key Cast
    "Anthony"
  • Simon Roberts
    Key Cast
    "Jeremy"
  • Ethan Denzil Carey
    Director of Photography
  • Jack McLaughlin
    Editor
  • Hollie Mann
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 4, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    9,939 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.90:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Humber Polytechnic
Director Biography - Natasha Maria George

Born in India and raised in the Middle East, Natasha Maria George is a filmmaker based in Toronto, Ontario with a strong foundation in post-production. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, she spent four years working at the digital agency 22 Feet Tribal Worldwide (DDB Mudra, Omnicom Goup) in their in-house production team. During her time at Humber she has not only written and directed her own films, like the short documentary Head First, but has also worked on multiple projects as a picture editor, script supervisor and casting director. This movie is a love letter to the roller-coaster of a relationship Natasha has with her dear parents and she hopes audiences have as much fun watching it as she did making it.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As someone dating for the first time in the Western world in her late 20s, I’ve come across my fair share of freaks, geeks—and surprisingly—a whole lot of people exploring polyamory. It’s a concept that felt alien to my very Indian upbringing, yet oddly fascinating. Now is Not a Good Time was born from that cultural whiplash: a fast-paced, masala-filled comedy about a brown woman navigating love, identity, and the emotional landmine that is her Indian mother.

Nikita, my protagonist, is strong, independent, and just white-washed enough to keep her parents at arm’s length. But when things spiral, she’s forced to let her mother in—and unexpectedly finds comfort in her chaos. Shailaja, like my own mom, is sweet, anxiety-ridden, a little cuckoo-bananas, and deeply loving in her own overwhelming way. Anthony, the dad, is inspired by my cricket-obsessed, dessert-loving father who lives in denial that his wife is always right.

This film is my love letter to immigrant parents—their sacrifices, their madness, their unexpected moments of grace. It’s about boundaries, culture clashes, and the kind of love that’s messy, frustrating, and forever. It’s funny because it’s true. And heartfelt because it’s mine.