Director Gurinder Chadha On ‘Christmas Karma’: Blending Culture, Tradition And Holiday Redemption
Image: Award-winning director Gurinder Chadha. Source: Supplied by Rialto.
Gurinder Chadha, the award-winning director behind Bend It Like Beckham, is back with her new film Christmas Karma, a stacked musical reimagining of A Christmas Carol that blends British-Indian culture across generations.
Cosy in a red sweater, Chadha spoke with CityHub about holiday traditions, generational identity, and the timeless power of redemption.
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On when to kick off the season, Chadha doesn’t hesitate. “Christmas for me starts when I watch It’s a Wonderful Life. As soon as the lights go up in London, decorations start, I feel festive. Mid-November is about right.”
Her childhood celebrations were a mash-up of cultures. “My father would put whiskey out for Santa, my mom wanted samosas— and we’d go, ‘No, mum, Santa doesn’t eat samosas!’” she laughs. “ The next morning, we’d find half the whiskey gone. We totally believed in him. ”
Those traditions carry on with her own children, alongside church visits, Christmas lunch, and the Queen’s—or now King’s—speech. “It’s a proper traditional Christmas my kids insist on, even though I sometimes want to go away for the holidays. They say, ‘No, we want a real Christmas!’”
A contemporary Scrooge
Christmas Karma reimagines Dickens’ classic with a genre-spanning soundtrack and a modern Scrooge: Soodh, a character reminiscent of a ranting, curmudgeonly uncle, we all know shaped by social pressures and familial weight.
Reflecting on her upbringing with immigrant parents, Chadha says, “We didn’t have an extravagant life, whatever extra money there was, my parents saved. I went to university never having eaten Chinese food. But I do spend, not on things that I think are a waste. One of the things I do now is I buy myself a big treat, a hot tub or a massage chair. I feel like I deserve it after working hard on a film. “
Generosity and connection lie at the film’s heart. “Life is not about money; it’s about kindness, compassion, and giving. In helping others, you feel human,” she explains citing her Sikh upbringing: “At the Gurdwara, we eat together, serve each other. It’s a beautiful ecosystem of all being equal.”
Balancing this universal philosophy with a light-hearted tone was key. “Christmas is when people feel less cynical, more cheerful, more connected. It’s about giving, kindness, and appreciating those around you,” she adds.
Redemption and resonance in ‘Christmas Karma’
Redemption drives the narrative. “We love stories of people finding their way after mistakes because it makes us feel hopeful,” Chadha says.
“It reminds us to appreciate what we have and see the world differently. To live a meaningful life is about letting go of ego and thinking about how you can help others. In helping others, you actually feel human.”
Intergenerational identity and inheritance also feature prominently. “My parents were born in Kenya, I was raised in Britain, my kids were born in London. Each generation decides what to carry forward, what to remake. That’s deeply interesting to me.”
Music helps bridge generational gaps: “I love my Bhangra songs, but my son will blast hip-hop while I play mine. I love that he loves music, and culture is always evolving.”
Authenticity is key to Chadha’s storytelling. “Characters have to come from a real place. Even when adapting, I draw from someone I know, or a combination of people I’ve met. You subvert stereotypes by showing truth.”
Similarly, she advises young creatives: “Find your story and stick to it. Go deep into authenticity. Rejections will come, but your unique voice is your strength.”
A magical behind-the-scenes musical moment came during Pain of the Past: “Gary just got up, played the melody, and six minutes later the song was done. I filmed it all. That’s now one of my favourite songs in the film. It captures holding on, being kind, learning from the past.”
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On revisiting her own film: “No, I didn’t cry like I do with It’s A Wonderful Life. I’m too close—I’m critiquing every choice! Maybe in time, I’ll feel it differently.”
She also shares her Christmas must-watch list: Elf, Die Hard, A Christmas Carol (Alastair Sim), and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Looking ahead to the highly anticipated Bend It Like Beckham sequel, Chadha is revisiting her iconic characters. “We want to make sure we get it right, to honour the fans and continue telling stories that matter,” she says.
With Christmas Karma, Gurinder Chadha delivers a heartfelt reminder that it’s never too late to embrace generosity, connection, and second chances—the timeless values at the heart of every great Christmas story.
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