One of the greatest joys of Christmastime, are Christmas movies, and this year Gurinder Chadha has reinvented Charles Dickens famous tale with a the joyous musical Christmas Karma, celebrating London’s multiculturalism.
To mark the release we had the pleasure in speaking to the filmmaker (Bend it Like Beckham) with her “Scrooge” – on this occasion, named Sood, the Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar. We then spoke to stars Pixie Lott & Leo Suter. We discuss the films bright spirit, as Chadha explains that she wrote the script during lockdown and intentionally built the story “through the songs,” working with top writers and stars (Gary Barlow, Shaznay Lewis) to craft a soundtrack that mixes hip-hop, pop bangers and multi-vocal arrangements. Nayyar talks about grounding a Scrooge-type character in truth and pain so audiences stay onside — not a caricature — and Chadha teases how the more playful moments (Danny Dyer singing in a taxi!) makes the film both festive and surprising. Watch both interviews in their entirety below.
Kunal Nayyar & Gurinder Chadha
Pixie Lott & Leo Suter
Plot
From acclaimed filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Blinded By The Light) comes Christmas Karma — a vibrant, multicultural reimagining of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Kunal Nayyar stars as Mr. Sood, a modern-day Scrooge whose world is turned upside down when three Ghosts of Christmas — played by Eva Longoria, Billy Porter and Boy George — appear to guide him toward redemption, kindness and the true meaning of the season. Bursting with colour, music and heart, the film blends gospel, bhangra, Christmas carols, rap and pop into a joyous celebration of modern Britain and its diverse spirit.
Christmas Karma is released in cinemas on November 14th
