Gurinder Chadha

Gurinder Chadha OBE (born 10 January 1960) is an English film director of Sikh Kenyan Indian origin. Most of her films explore the lives of Indians living in England. This common theme among her work showcases the trials of Indian women living in England and how they must reconcile their converging traditional and modern cultures. Although many of her films seem like simple quirky comedies about Indian women, they actually address many social and emotional issues, especially ones faced by immigrants caught between two worlds.

Much of her work also consists of adaptations from book to film, but with a different flare. She is best known for the hit films Bhaji on the Beach (1993), Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004) and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008). Her most recent project is the comedy film It's a Wonderful Afterlife released on 21 April 2010.

Early life

Gurinder Chadha was born in Nairobi, Kenya, then a British colony. Her family was part of the Indian diaspora in East Africa. They moved to Southall, West London when she was two years of age, where she attended Clifton Primary School. Chadha's father faced much prejudice because of his appearance as a Sikh Indian, wearing a turban and having a beard. Eventually, the family opened a shop to provide the family with an economic toehold.