Mumbai, Dec 04: Mumbai witnessed the celebration of BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Gurinder Chadha’s latest musical feature film ‘Christmas Karma’ backed by Civic Studios and distributed by PVR INOX Pictures. The red carpet came alive with the presence of leading celebrities, filmmakers including Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, Anu Malik, Rasika Dugal, Sargun Mehta, Ravi Dubey, & and several other notable personalities from the entertainment fraternity.
In partnership with Sense International India, A national NGO dedicated to children and adults with deafblindness, the premiere of ‘Christmas Karma’ placed inclusion and representation at the heart of its celebrations. Their presence reinforced the importance of visibility, rights and dignity for persons with deafblindness in India.
Chief Guest Amruta Fadnavis attended the special screening, reflecting her support for inclusive and social initiatives. Held in association with Sense International India, a national NGO that supports children and adults with deafblindness, the screening also welcomed a young person with deafblindness accompanied by an interpreter, who engaged with the film and expressed his love for it.
Following the premiere, audiences enjoyed an insightful Q&A session hosted by Karan Johar, celebrating the film’s music, message, performances, and multicultural storytelling. During the conversation, he reflected on the director’s impactful body of work and shared his admiration, saying,
“Gurinder has gone from strength to strength, consistently pushing boundaries and opening doors for our culture in the West. She has walked a fine line, and done it so beautifully and so effectively. And today, with the release of this film that moved all of us, I’m reminded again of the emotional power of her storytelling. I remember watching this film and being so moved by it. The Christmas drama has truly been great for everyone in the drama cycle, and congratulations it’s absolutely stunning.”
Speaking about the struggles of financing a film in the UK as an Indian female director, Gurinder Chadha spoke about her excitement of the film premiering here and the support from the Indian studio Civic Studios who backed the film along with other Indian-origin financiers, saying that “the film has been able to exist because of Indian support”, to which Karan Johar commented “much like the film – at its heart its Indian, and so is its funding.”
Commenting on the need to back films by women, Anushka Shah, CEO/Founder of Civic Studios, spoke about how Bend It Like Beckham had been such a powerful influence on her that it “It’s karma that after everything Gurinder has given us, backing this movie has been a chance to pay that gratitude back”
The Chief Guest, Amruta Fadnavis shared her deep regards for the director Gurinder Chadha , she said, “I have deep regards for you mam, and Bend It Like Beckham- the way you iconically directed it and the world salutes you for that. It was also a torchlight for me to lead my life with conviction. And here today at the right time we have Christmas Karma, a movie which tells us how to be away from our fears and prejudice, and how to win over people with love and not with hate.”
Uttam Kumar, CEO of Sense International India said,
“The film’s multicultural spirit and its celebration of diverse backgrounds reflect our belief that every life, regardless of origin or ability, deserves dignity and a rightful place in society. It reminds us that empathy, connection, and understanding are the true festive gifts. For us at Sense International India, it also highlights the importance of recognizing deafblindness and disability, ensuring that every individual is seen, heard, and included,”Christmas Karma is a strikingly original contemporary musical inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, blending festive magic with a fresh, modern perspective and a vibrant South Asian lens.
The film starring Kunal Nayyar (Big Bang Theory) is written and directed by BAFTA-nominated Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Blinded by the Light) with music by Gary Barlow, Shaznay Lewis, and Nitin Sawhney. The film is a classic British story told through the lens of a South Asian director, with a South Asian lead actor and backed by South Asian financing, the film reflects the growing global presence of Indian producers and storytellers.
Backed by Civic Studios, the project is produced by Gurinder Chadha, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, and Amory Leader, with Zygi Kamasa, Anushka Shah, Paul Mayeda Berges, Sophia Pedlow, Sunil Sheth, and Hannah Leader serving as Executive Producers. Leading the cast is Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Scrooge, alongside a stellar ensemble including Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives), Boy George, Billy Porter (Pose), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Leo Suter, Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton), Pixie Lott, Danny Dyer, Bilal Hasna, Allan Corduner, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rufus Jones, Eve, and Nitin Ganatra.
Spokesperson, PVR INOX Pictures, Nayana Bijli said,
“Our mission is to curate exceptional films from exceptional filmmakers who have something meaningful to say. At PVR INOX Pictures, we believe that stories have no borders. We want to distribute films that are powerful, that are bold, and that are important, which is why we’re so excited to be collaborating with Ms. Gurinder Chandra. Bold, path-breaking, and extraordinary yourself as Christine has said many times your work transcends generations. You initiated diverse storytelling in the most beautiful, warm, intentional, and wholesome way. You weave South Asian culture into every tale you tell. I’m personally a huge, huge fan, having watched Bend It Like Beckham a thousand times. Our favourite dialogue in the house is “football should call Hyderabad,” except for us it was basketball. Christmas Karma carries the same warmth. It’s a story of the heart. It has themes of family, joy, and elements of friendship but it also has themes that are very important to discuss in today’s landscape. It has themes of identity, immigration, and displacement very important for today’s world.”