Acclaimed British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has unveiled her latest cross-cultural cinematic adaptation - a vibrant musical reworking of Charles Dickens' beloved ghost story A Christmas Carol titled Christmas Karma.
From Dickens Museum to Modern London
The project began taking shape when Chadha visited the Charles Dickens Museum in London, seeking inspiration from the literary giant's spirit. Though the author didn't materialise, the 65-year-old Londoner found her answers during lockdown, crafting a contemporary version that transplants the classic tale to modern Britain with an entirely fresh perspective.
Christmas Karma features The Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar as Mr Sood, Chadha's modern-day Scrooge figure, alongside an impressive ensemble cast including Eva Longoria, Billy Porter and Boy George as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The production further sparkles with appearances from Hugh Bonneville, Danny Dyer and Pixie Lott.
Political Inspiration and Cultural Commentary
Chadha discovered unexpected contemporary relevance for her miser character while watching television news, particularly observing Asians in the Tory party taking hard rightwing stances. She explains this phenomenon mirrors her Scrooge's journey: He thinks money will give him status and protect him.
This political observation feels particularly timely given Chadha's three-decade career gently dismantling stereotypes through her eight feature films. Since her 1993 debut Bhaji on the Beach, she has consistently explored the fractured perspectives within so-called communities, whether in Viceroy's House or her breakthrough hit Bend It Like Beckham.
Born in Kenya to Indian Sikh parents, Chadha moved to Britain during the 1960s amid civil unrest. Southall became her hometown, and its complex cultural landscape has continuously informed her filmmaking. She emphasises that her storytelling doesn't begin in modern London but centuries earlier with Britain's colonial entanglement with India.
A Festive Set and Creative Vision
On an overcast summer day in Camden Town, north London, the Christmas Karma set buzzed with creative energy. The pivotal scene where Sood glimpses the Cratchits' Christmas table featured significant departures from Dickens' original - including a gay African American Ghost of Christmas Present in a sparkly emerald three-piece suit and Bob Cratchit (Leo Suter) leading his wife Mary (Pixie Lott) in a guitar ballad.
Chadha noted the challenge for lead actor Kunal Nayyar: You can't have Sood soften too soon - one misplaced smile at the end of a line can ruin the journey.
The director sees particular relevance in Dickens' concern with wealth disparity today, noting the author would have been destroyed by the gap between rich and poor. One line in the film where the Ghost of Christmas Present asks Is one CEO worth a thousand Tim Cratchits? feels especially pertinent, though Chadha insists it wasn't intended as direct commentary on figures like Elon Musk.
Industry Challenges and Lasting Influence
Despite her global success - Bend It Like Beckham screened in every country worldwide, including North Korea - Chadha believes the British film industry still undervalues her work. She attributes this to both gender bias and resistance to diverse casting: If you put a person of colour in the lead in a British movie, 90% of the industry backs away.
Her influence extends beyond filmmaking. Chadha successfully lobbied for increased film tax credits during a Downing Street meeting where she delivered an impassioned speech that ultimately persuaded Rishi Sunak to support the measure.
Regarding the current political climate and Reform UK's rise, Chadha remains optimistic: Reform are a minority; we have to remember that. She believes her diaspora-centred films can provide a soothing balm for those unhappy with current political discourse, much as Bend It Like Beckham offered comfort post-9/11.
In exciting news for fans, Chadha confirmed she's developing a sequel to her beloved football film, consulting with former Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes to explore contemporary women's football landscapes.
Christmas Karma opens in UK cinemas from 14 November.
