The Evolution of South Asian Women in British Film and TV
From "Bend It Like Beckham" to "Polite Society," Here's How South Asian Women Have Evolved On Screen
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Long before "Bend It Like Beckham" or "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging," iconic director Gurinder Chadha first came on to the scene in 1993 with her film "Bhaji on the Beach." Written by Meera Syal, who will receive the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship award this year, the film follows a group of British South Asian women from Birmingham as they take a day trip to Blackpool.
It was revolutionary at the time of its release as a multifaceted look into the lives of British South Asian women — connecting stories of women of all ages and in various walks of life. It highlights the pressure on young South Asian women to achieve well academically, and the judgement from elders when this doesn't go to plan. It looks at women in abusive relationships and the cultural tension between staying and leaving. It covers both young women who were born here and older women who immigrated. Its intergenerational approach means that for Desi women watching, there is bound to be someone they recognise from their own life. And what's more, it balances its more serious themes with a warm, tender approach, ultimately achieving a joy-filled tone.