Aunty Sheila makes her big-screen debut in ‘My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding’
The film is the brainchild of actor, comedian and creative powerhouse, Theshen Naicker, the founder of Sheila Power Productions and the creator of the beloved Aunty Sheila character.
Excitement is sweeping across South Africa as the nation’s favourite aunty – the iconic Aunty Sheila – prepares to make her long-awaited cinematic debut in the feel-good family comedy, ‘My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding’.
The film is the brainchild of actor, comedian and creative powerhouse, Theshen Naicker, the founder of Sheila Power Productions and the creator of the beloved Aunty Sheila character.
In a bold move that many called ‘impossible’, Naicker steps into the extraordinary quadruple role of writer, producer, director, and lead actor – fulfilling a dream he has carried since childhood.
“People told me it couldn’t be done, but I always wanted to make my own movie before I turned 40. Today, that dream has come true,” Naicker shared.
The inspiration for the movie struck when Naicker encountered an Indian bride marrying a Zulu man. This moment sparked the idea for a film that celebrates the true cultural heartbeat of Durban.
Naicker reflected, “Durban is the home of the Bunny Chow and the Zulu Kingdom. So why haven’t we made a film that brings these vibrant cultures together in love, chaos, and celebration?”
The result is a story that is unmistakably Durban – colourful, warm, dramatic, and proudly multicultural.
Starring alongside Naicker is the talented Kajal Maharaj, known for her long-running role as Shria on e.tv’s Imbewu. She brings charm, strength, and emotional depth to the film’s female lead.
The cast also features the acclaimed Rashid Mlongo, an award-winning actor recognised with the BET Award for Best Actor in the 48-Hour Film Project. Adding to the fun is the unforgettable character Granny Amoi, whose humour and sass light up every scene she enters.
The film 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. A devastating secret threatens to destroy the wedding and tear the family apart.
Will Kieran stay silent to protect Anushka’s fairy-tale day? Or will he expose the truth and risk shattering the family forever?
With its perfect 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 every South African is invited.
Naicker concluded, “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. 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. 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.”
In cinemas nationwide as of December 12, 2025.
