Gurinder Chadha, renowned for her film Bend It Like Beckham, has returned with a vibrant new festive film titled Christmas Karma. This musical adaptation offers a Bollywood-infused take on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, set against the backdrop of modern-day London. Chadha, who both wrote and directed the film, explains that Bollywood’s themes of singing, dancing, and joy naturally lend themselves to creating a lively Christmas movie. The star-studded cast includes Kunal Nayyar, Hugh Bonneville, Pixie Lott, Boy George, Danny Dyer, Charithra Chandran, and Eva Longoria.
In Christmas Karma, Nayyar plays Mr. Sood, a contemporary Scrooge whose transformation follows ghostly visits by characters portrayed by Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George. The story explores Mr. Sood’s journey from bitterness to redemption, touching on his history as one of the 28,000 Ugandan Asian refugees expelled in 1972 and his initial dismissiveness toward asylum seekers in the UK. Chadha was inspired by family experiences and political realities, crafting a character who voices right-wing sentiments but ultimately reconnects with his past and embraces compassion.
The film’s soundtrack is a lively mix incorporating gospel, bhangra, rap, classic pop, and Christmas tunes, featuring artists like Gary Barlow and Malkit Singh. Leo Suter and Pixie Lott play a couple whose warm family Christmas adds emotional depth and reflects the film’s broader themes of generosity and empathy.
Chadha also disclosed she is working carefully on a much-anticipated sequel to Bend It Like Beckham, expressing a desire to honor the original’s legacy without rushing the process.
Christmas Karma delivers a joyful yet thoughtful holiday experience that blends cultural heritage, musical spectacle, and a timeless message of kindness and redemption, promising to be a festive favorite.
