‘Christmas Karma’: Gurinder Chadha announces new film; Kunal Nayyar to lead

Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha on Friday officially announced her new film Christmas Karma, a contemporary Bollywood musical, inspired by Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol.

The Big Bang Theory alum Kunal Nayyar will portray the lead role of Scrooge in the movie, which also features a star-studded cast of Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, Hugh Bonneville, Boy George, Leo Suter, Charithra Chandran, Pixie Lott, Danny Dyer, Bilal Hasna, Allan Corduner, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rufus Jones, Eve and Nitin Ganatra.

Chadha, best known for Bhaji on the Beach, Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, It's a Wonderful Afterlife and Viceroy's House, is also producing and writing the new movie, which will feature music written by acclaimed British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow, Shaznay Lewis, and Nitin Sawhney.

With Christmas Karma, Chadha said, the aim is to create a festive classic for "our times and for generations to come".

“By adapting one of history’s greatest novels - Charles Dickens’ 'Christmas Carol' - I am making a British film from my unique, original point of view but one that resonates with Dickens’ masterful statement on the human condition.

"I am blessed with such a great diverse cast and eclectic music team - the soundtrack will be banging, influenced by Gospel, Bhangra, Carols and classic pop songs. You will not be able to sit still," the 64-year-old director said in a statement.

Christmas Karma is backed by True Brit Entertainment, Bend It Films, Maven Screen Media and Civic Studios. Chadha, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, and Amory Leader will serve as producers.

The executive producers include Zygi Kamasa, Anushka Shah, Paul Mayeda Berges, Sophia Pedlow, and Hannah Leader.

Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. In the process, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.