Acclaimed director Gurinder Chadha has unveiled a festive film that feels more relevant than ever. Her new Bollywood musical, Christmas Karma, is a vibrant adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, released in cinemas from 14th November 2025.
A Timely Story of Immigration and Empathy
Chadha, the celebrated writer-director behind Bend It Like Beckham, describes her latest project as unexpectedly prescient. The film centres on Mr Sood, a character she presented to UK Parliament in January 2024 as an Indian Tory who hates refugees.
This Scrooge figure, played by The Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar, is a child immigrant who arrived in Britain from Uganda in 1972. He was part of the exodus during President Idi Amin's expulsion of the country's Indian minority, a community that had originally arrived as migrant labourers in the previous century.
Chadha explains her motivation: I wanted to tell the story of someone who had to leave their home through no fault of their own and come to Britain as a refugee and be traumatised by that. She adds that she didn't anticipate how urgent the film's themes would feel upon release, given the current highly charged political climate around immigration.
I did not know when I first wrote the film during lockdown how prescient it would be today, she continues, referencing the ongoing debates and protests concerning asylum seekers.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Vision
The film's powerful message attracted an impressive ensemble cast. The lineup includes Hugh Bonneville, Eva Longoria, Danny Dyer, Billy Porter, Pixie Lott, and Boy George.
Chadha pursued Nayyar specifically for the lead role, despite his initial hopes for a hot James Bond-type character. He has this quiet intensity and he felt a little melancholy to me, she recalls. For his part, Nayyar focused on the human story, setting aside other Scrooge adaptations to investigate the immense pain and then some redemption of his character.
The casting process had its surprises. Eva Longoria pitched herself for the Ghost of Christmas Past over dinner, declaring, Excuse me, I'm Mexican – we own ghosts! Day of the Dead?! Billy Porter was cast as the Ghost of Christmas Present for his gospel singing ability and authority, while Boy George, playing the Ghost of Christmas Future, performs a Gary Barlow ballad.
The film is stuffed with colourful merriment and an eclectic soundtrack featuring new music from Nitin Sawhney, Gary Barlow, All Saints' Shaznay Lewis, Ben Cullum, and a Desi version of Wham's Last Christmas by Priyanka Chopra.
A Uniquely British Christmas Celebration
For Chadha, the film is a reflection of modern Britain. This is a British Christmas movie, this is what we all look like, she states emphatically. She highlights the historical context often forgotten in immigration debates, noting that British people also travelled to India and Africa seeking fame, fortune and a better life.
The most important thing is to be human, is to have empathy, and to give, she concludes. That's what Charles Dickens was saying and that's what I'm saying today.
With its blend of festive cheer, important social commentary, and all-star cast, Christmas Karma is set to become a new holiday classic that speaks directly to the Britain of today.
