Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Best British Asian movies across the decades, ahead of Polite Society release

New movie Polite Society follows on from recent British Asian cinema releases What's Love Got To Do With It and Little English.

Best British Asian movies across the decades, ahead of Polite Society release

Polite Society, the kung fu-inspired comedy-drama, in cinemas now, revolves around an aspiring stunt woman who decides to commit a wedding heist and finds herself up against a formidable fighting foe.

To mark its release, Eastern Eye put together a list of the top 10 British Asian


movies, in chronological order.

A Private Enterprise (1974): The long forgotten drama is massively important as it is widely regarded as the first British Asian movie, so is an essential inclusion

in this list. Salmaan Peerzada played the lead role in this story of an ambitious Indian immigrant attempting to start his own business in Birmingham and finding himself caught in a clash of cultures.

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985): The taboo-busting romantic-comedy drama

was ground-breaking and earned writer Hanif Kureishi an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The story of a young gay Pakistani man living in London and his romance with a white friend, who was once a punk, received rave reviews. It showed anything was possible with great writing.

Bhaji on the Beach (1993): The directorial debut from Gurinder Chadha is a path-breaking comedy about a group of British Asian women taking a day trip to Blackpool. What follows is an eventful day filled with laughter, misunderstanding, hidden truths, and solidarity. A movie that wasn’t properly appreciated when it released became a cult classic.

Feature East Is East a8. RI East Is East

East Is East (1999): The big-screen adaptation of a hit theatre play became a cross-cultural phenomenon when it was released. The award-winning comedy-drama is a 1970s-set story about a British Pakistani man married to a woman of Irish descent, and their seven children, who are caught between cultures. The movie featuring stand-out performances spawned the entertaining 2010 sequel West Is West.

Feature Bend It Like Beckham 9438 Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham (2002): The most commercially successful British Asian movie of all time revolves around the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants, trying to realise her dream of playing football. The iconic sports-comedy drama, powered by a brilliant lead performance from Parminder Nagra, is a multi-layered story, which explores multiple themes including coming of age, sports,Indian tradition, following your dreams and battling against the odds.

Ae Fond Kiss... (2004): The critically acclaimed romance perhaps doesn’t get the credit it deserves. The Glasgow-set drama revolves around the only son of

Pakistani immigrants to Scotland, set to have an arranged marriage, who falls in love with an Irish Catholic girl. The story of star-crossed lovers finding themselves in a cultural conflict is a delight.

Yasmin (2004): There are a lot of hidden gems when it comes to British Asian themed movies and this low budget treasure is one of them. Archie Panjabi takes on the title role in the impactful drama of a Muslim woman trying to get her husband free from a holding centre, after he is arrested for being a terror suspect, post 9/11.

Feature Four Lions MDI@. V1 Four Lions

Four Lions (2010): Writer/director Chris Morris broke all the rules with his political satire black comedy about home-grown terrorist jihadis from Sheffield. Riz

Ahmed headlined the story, which found humour in an unexpected place and told a story with a powerful message. The movie is filled with entertaining moments and dialogues that became a part of popular culture.

Feature Blinded By The Light STILL 02

Blinded by the Light (2019): The musical inspired by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor’s 2007 memoir Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion and Rock N’ Roll is a 1980s-set coming of age story. It revolves around a British Muslim teenager, who sees his life change after discovering the songs of Bruce Springsteen. The heart warming story cleverly incorporates songs from the music icon.

Ali & Ava (2021): The beautifully crafted cross-cultural romance received universal acclaim and earned lead actor Adeel Akhtar a BAFTA best actor nomination. The Bradford-set story of a British Pakistani man on the verge of divorce striking up an unlikely romance with a white woman with adult children, told a multi-layered love story with lots of heart.

More For You

Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Nintendo Switch 2 demand exceeds

To address the ongoing demand, Nintendo is working to increase production

iStock

Nintendo Switch 2 demand exceeds supply globally, says company president

Key points

  • Nintendo Switch 2 demand outstripping supply in several countries
  • Over 2.2 million applications submitted in Japan’s lottery sales
  • Nintendo held four purchase draws, with a fifth scheduled for early July
  • Company aims to strengthen production and supply to meet demand
  • Switch 2 had the biggest launch in Nintendo history

Strong demand leads to shortages

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed that demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed available supply in many regions. Speaking during the Q&A session of the company’s 85th annual general meeting of shareholders, Furukawa addressed concerns about ongoing stock shortages.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh in a still from Lootera that captured his most restrained performance

Twelve years of 'Lootera': 5 reasons Ranveer Singh’s most understated role still holds up

Quick highlights:

  • Ranveer’s subtle performance in Lootera marked a major shift from his usual high-energy roles.
  • The 1950s-set romantic drama became a career milestone for the actor.
  • His restrained, emotionally complex portrayal earned long-term critical acclaim.
  • The film showcased a successful collaboration with director Vikramaditya Motwane.
  • As Dhurandhar builds buzz, Lootera reminds us of Ranveer’s range.

Twelve years ago, Ranveer Singh surprised audiences with Lootera, a period romance that asked him to do something unfamiliar: stay still. Set in 1950s Bengal and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film gave Ranveer the space to deliver one of his most subdued and mature performances. No outbursts. No spectacle. Just quiet heartbreak.

  Lootera released in 2013 and marked a stylistic shift for Ranveer Singh Prime Video  

Keep ReadingShow less
Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches

The chain had also gained a following for its themed brunches

iStock

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches after 20 years

Key points

  • Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations
  • The chain made the announcement via social media
  • Founded in 2005, the brand thanked customers and staff for their support
  • Loyal diners shared memories and disappointment in the comments

All branches are permanently closed

Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has permanently closed all its branches in the UK, the company confirmed in a social media announcement.

Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, the dim sum chain had become popular for its stylish interiors, creative menus, and Asian-inspired cocktails. The company did not provide prior notice of the closure but said the decision marked the end of an “unforgettable” 20-year journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less