'Bend It Like Beckham-2': Director shares update on release date
What's the story
Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Christmas Karma, starring Kunal Nayyar, Billy Porter, and Eva Longoria. In a conversation with Hindustan Times, she revealed that the film is a musical and an ode to late Italian-American director Frank Capra. She also gave an update on her long-awaited sequel to Bend It Like Beckham (2002).
Sequel details
'Bend It Like Beckham 2' will be a global affair
Chadha said, "The reason I didn't touch it for all these years was because I couldn't think of an idea that could better it." "But given the success of female football and given the way the Indian diaspora has flourished around the world...there is global expectation." "The Euros are in 2027, and I want to make sure that we do something that lifts and feels as exciting as being at a match there. Hopefully, we'll release it before the Euros."
Film inspiration
Chadha's personal connection to 'Christmas Karma'
Chadha revealed that Christmas Karma is her version of Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946). She said, "Every year I watch Frank Capra's film, It's a Wonderful Life, on Christmas. It's an essential viewing because it's actually quite like an Indian film." "I make my children watch it too, and I sit there and cry. So Christmas Karma is my version of Frank Capra's film."
Film connection
'Bend It Like Beckham' influence in 'Christmas Karma'
Chadha also revealed a connection between Bend It Like Beckham and Christmas Karma. She has included a Christmas Bhangra song in the latter, written with Malkit Singh. The song is a re-recording of Singh's Jind Mahi, which was featured in Bend It Like Beckham. Chadha said, "He said 'it's great but it's a bit old, let me do a new version.' So he's done a Christmas version of the same song."