Latest news with #ChristmasKarma
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
All the stars appearing in Bollywood-inspired Christmas Carol remake
A modern-day film adaptation of Charles Dickens ' A Christmas Carol, titled Christmas Karma, will feature a contemporary Scrooge who despises refugees. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the movie stars Big Bang Theory lead Kunal Nayyar as Mr Sood, with Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, and Boy George playing the Christmas ghosts. Chadha said that the film aims to teach lessons about how prejudice, poverty, and division shape society, drawing inspiration from a family member's experience as a refugee. The cast also includes actors Danny Dyer, Charithra Chandran, Hugh Bonneville, and Leo Suter. Christmas Karma is scheduled for release in cinemas from 14 November.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Christmas Carol adaptation to feature Scrooge who 'despises refugees'
A modern-day film adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol will feature a version of Ebenezer Scrooge who "despises refugees", the director has said. Kunal Nayyar, who is starring in Christmas Karma. A modern-day film adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol. Photo credit: True Brit/Civic Studios/PA Wire Musical movie Christmas Karma stars The Big Bang Theory 's Kunal Nayyar as a contemporary Scrooge, called Mr Sood, who is haunted by three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, played by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Pose actor Billy Porter and singer Boy George. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha hopes the audience will be invested in the transformation of Mr Sood, and his chance to be a part of a society that doesn't allow "Scrooges, twisted and shaped by prejudice, to grow." Former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, singer Pixie Lott, Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran, Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville and Sanditon 's Leo Suter also star in the movie. Chadha, 65, said in her director's statement: "Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular." "Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn't work as hard as him to get where he is." The movie "is very true to the original text and sentiment", according to Chadha, and will teach audiences "the urgent lesson of how prejudice, poverty and division in all its forms shapes Sood and our society today". The British Indian director added: "A hundred and eighty-two years later, Dickens' novella still resonates globally in today's sometimes harsh world." She also said she was inspired by a family member, who lost his home in Uganda as a child, and came to Britain around Christmas time, arriving to a hostile welcome as a refugee. "For years he didn't feel Christmas was for him and the hardships he faced as a child left him despising it," she said. She added: "For me, Christmas Karma is a legacy film with a humane message that will live on long after I do." Dyer, 48, plays a London cabbie, while Bonneville, 61, plays the ghost of Jacob Marley. Influenced by gospel, bhangra, Christmas carols, rap and classic pop, the soundtrack features music from Take That's Gary Barlow, former All Saints member Shaznay Lewis, and England-based Punjabi bhangra singer Malkit Singh. Other adaptations of the classic novel, published in 1843, include a 2019 BBC mini series starring Adolescence actor Stephen Graham, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Doctor Who 's Christopher Eccleston played Scrooge in a retelling of the story at the Old Vic in London between November 2023 and January 2024. There are also a number of film adaptations including Scrooged (1988), starring Bill Murray as an angry TV network president and modern-day Scrooge, and The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992). The film is in cinemas from 14 November.
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Christmas Carol adaptation to feature Scrooge who ‘despises refugees'
Musical movie Christmas Karma stars The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar as a contemporary Scrooge, called Mr Sood, who is haunted by three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, played by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Pose actor Billy Porter and British singer Boy George. Bend It Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha hopes the audience will be invested in the transformation of Mr Sood, and his chance to be a part of a society that doesn't allow 'Scrooges, twisted and shaped by prejudice, to grow.' A post shared by Christmas Karma (@christmaskarmamovie) Former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, singer Pixie Lott, Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran, Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville and Sanditon's Leo Suter also star in the movie. Chadha, 65, said in her director's statement: 'Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular.' 'Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn't work as hard as him to get where he is.' The movie 'is very true to the original text and sentiment', according to Chadha, and will teach audiences 'the urgent lesson of how prejudice, poverty and division in all its forms shapes Sood and our society today'. The British-Indian director added: 'A hundred and eighty-two years later, Dickens' novella still resonates globally in today's sometimes harsh world.' She also said she was inspired by a family member, who lost his home in Uganda as a child, and came to Britain around Christmas time, arriving to a hostile welcome as a refugee. A post shared by Christmas Karma (@christmaskarmamovie) 'For years he didn't feel Christmas was for him and the hardships he faced as a child left him despising it,' she said. She added: 'For me, Christmas Karma is a legacy film with a humane message that will live on long after I do.' Soap star Dyer, 48, plays a London cabbie, while Bonneville, 61, plays the ghost of Jacob Marley. Influenced by gospel, bhangra, Christmas carols, rap and classic pop, the soundtrack features music from Take That's Gary Barlow, former All Saints member Shaznay Lewis, and England-based Punjabi bhangra singer Malkit Singh. Other adaptations of the classic novel, published in 1843, include a 2019 BBC mini series starring Adolescence actor Stephen Graham, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. On stage Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston played Scrooge in a retelling of the story at the Old Vic in London between November 2023 and January 2024. There are also a number of film adaptations including Scrooged (1988), starring Bill Murray as an angry TV network president and modern-day Scrooge, and The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992). The film is in cinemas from November 14.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Christmas Carol adaptation to feature Scrooge who ‘despises refugees'
Musical movie Christmas Karma stars The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar as a contemporary Scrooge, called Mr Sood, who is haunted by three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, played by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Pose actor Billy Porter and British singer Boy George. Bend It Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha hopes the audience will be invested in the transformation of Mr Sood, and his chance to be a part of a society that doesn't allow 'Scrooges, twisted and shaped by prejudice, to grow.' A post shared by Christmas Karma (@christmaskarmamovie) Former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, singer Pixie Lott, Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran, Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville and Sanditon's Leo Suter also star in the movie. Chadha, 65, said in her director's statement: 'Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular.' 'Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn't work as hard as him to get where he is.' The movie 'is very true to the original text and sentiment', according to Chadha, and will teach audiences 'the urgent lesson of how prejudice, poverty and division in all its forms shapes Sood and our society today'. The British-Indian director added: 'A hundred and eighty-two years later, Dickens' novella still resonates globally in today's sometimes harsh world.' She also said she was inspired by a family member, who lost his home in Uganda as a child, and came to Britain around Christmas time, arriving to a hostile welcome as a refugee. A post shared by Christmas Karma (@christmaskarmamovie) 'For years he didn't feel Christmas was for him and the hardships he faced as a child left him despising it,' she said. She added: 'For me, Christmas Karma is a legacy film with a humane message that will live on long after I do.' Soap star Dyer, 48, plays a London cabbie, while Bonneville, 61, plays the ghost of Jacob Marley. Influenced by gospel, bhangra, Christmas carols, rap and classic pop, the soundtrack features music from Take That's Gary Barlow, former All Saints member Shaznay Lewis, and England-based Punjabi bhangra singer Malkit Singh. Other adaptations of the classic novel, published in 1843, include a 2019 BBC mini series starring Adolescence actor Stephen Graham, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. On stage Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston played Scrooge in a retelling of the story at the Old Vic in London between November 2023 and January 2024. There are also a number of film adaptations including Scrooged (1988), starring Bill Murray as an angry TV network president and modern-day Scrooge, and The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992). The film is in cinemas from November 14.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bollywood-inspired 'A Christmas Carol' will feature an anti-refugee Scrooge - and star Boy George, Eva Longoria and Danny Dyer
A Bollywood-inspired adaptation of A Christmas Carol will star a version of Ebenezer Scrooge who 'despises refugees', the director has revealed. The musical, which is directed by Gurinder Chadha and based on the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, will feature a 'British-Indian' man named Sood as the lead character. He is described as a wealthy man who hates poor people and refugees on the basis they 'haven't worked as hard as him to get where he is'. The film, called Christmas Karma, is due for release in November this year and will star Kunal Nayyar, Boy George, Eva Longoria, Hugh Bonneville and Billy Porter. EastEnders actor Danny Dyer also has a part in the musical as a London cab driver and was spotted wearing a red Christmas jumper during filming in May last year. Ms Chadha said according to The Telegraph: 'Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular. 'Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn't work as hard as him to get where he is.' The director, who is known for Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice, said the inspiration for the modern-day musical came from politicians in Britain today. She added that Christmas Karma, which is set in London, is a celebration of 'all of modern Britain's communities and cultures'. Ms Chadha explained that her version is 'very true to the original text and sentiment' and aims to teach viewers how prejudice in society still exists. 'A hundred and eighty-two years later, Dickens' novella still resonates globally in today's sometimes harsh world,' she said. A Christmas Carol traditionally recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge - a miserable old man who is visited by a series of ghosts. He is subsequently transformed into a kinder and more empathetic character. Nayyar, who will play the protagonist in Ms Chadha's musical, is known for his role as Raj Koothrappali in the US sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Meanwhile, Boy George will play the Ghost of Christmas Future and Paddington's Hugh Bonneville will take on the role of the Ghost of Jacob Marley. The film, called Christmas Karma, is due for release in November this year and will star Kunal Nayyar, Boy George (left), Eva Longoria (right), Hugh Bonneville and Billy Porter Nayyar, who will play the protagonist in Ms Chadha's musical, is known for his role as Raj Koothrappali in the US sitcom The Big Bang Theory Christmas Karma is the latest in a series of controversial remakes of Dickens' work. In 2019, the BBC's version of A Christmas Carol was slammed by viewers for tampering with the traditional dialogue. Those tuning into episode one of the three-part drama were shocked when lead character Ebeneezer Scrooge [played by Guy Pearce] dropped the F-bomb. The mini-series was written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. It shocked fans from the off, opening with a scene in which a young boy urinates on the grave of Jacob Marley, calling him 'a skinflint b*****d'. Claire Tomalin, who wrote a celebrated biography of Dickens, said at the time: 'I don't think he would have been very pleased. 'Dickens didn't need people urinating on graves. He reached people through the power of his words and his imagination.'
