Mumbai, Nov 29 : Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, known for hits like Bend It Like Beckham, touched down in Mumbai ahead of the release of her upcoming drama Christmas Karma, slated for December 12. The director kicked off her visit by joining a celebration for designer turned producer Manish Malhotra’s new project, Gustaakh Ishq, alongside Bollywood stalwarts Rekha, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, and Karan Johar.
Sharing the moment on social media, Chadha posted photos with the stars, writing, “Landed in #Mumbai to launch @christmaskarmamovie and hit the ground running with my dear friends celebrating @manishmalhotra05’s new film as producer @gustaakh_ishq. Huge congrats and bravo. @karanjohar @kajol #rekha @azmishabana18 @pvrcinemas_official.”
Discussing Christmas Karma, Chadha revealed that her inspiration came from a cherished annual family tradition. Every Christmas, she takes her children to watch It’s A Wonderful Life at London’s Prince Charles Cinema, often moved to tears by its message of hope and humanity. “That love for classic holiday storytelling inspired Christmas Karma. It’s my ode to Dickens and Capra with a contemporary twist,” she said.
The film delves into the true meaning of Christmas in today’s divided world, emphasizing kindness, empathy, and hope as forces that bridge hearts. Infused with Sikh philosophy, Chadha highlighted its core message: “Living is Giving” from Guru Nanak and the principle of Ek On Khar (We are all one), which strongly resonated during the making of her film.