Latest news with #KunalNayyar
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
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. 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. Advertisement 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.' View this post on Instagram 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.' Advertisement 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. View this post on Instagram 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 14th.
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.
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.'
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kunal Nayyar SLAMS wardrobe of his character in 'The Big Bang Theory' for THIS reason
Kunal Nayyar slammed the nostalgic days of 'The Big Bang Theory,' where he detested the wardrobe he was given for the iconic role of Raj Koothrappali. Claiming that he loves fashion, the 44-year-old said that he can't wear the clothes that are trending right now as they look similar to his character. Kunal Nayyar calls out fashion In an appearance on The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, Nayyar recalled his initial reaction when he was handed out the clothes, and said, 'I was like, 'Oh man, I'm gonna have to wear this?'' 'I love fashion, to be honest. It's one of my favorite things. And then I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm gonna have to wear these clothes,'' the actor added. However, Nayyar opened up about the character and said that the clothes played a significant role in shaping the character, understanding that his wardrobe was perfect for someone with unfashionable sensibilities. Koothrappali used to wear a combination of a sweater vest, a button-down shirt with an oversized collar, and zip-up athletic jacket, according to Entertainment Weekly. Kunal Nayyar understands the character's style 'It's very apropos to the character, obviously," he said, before adding, 'If you watch what I wore that entire show, it's ridiculously hideous, but also ridiculously good for the character.' Despising the character's fashion, Kunal Nayyar highlighted that the cargo pants and sweaters ruined fashion for him. 'I can't wear clothes — like vintage Gucci sweaters or something that look like Raj's sweaters that are in fashion now. I can't wear that stuff,' the 'Spaceman' actor said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Professionally, Kunal Nayyar would be playing the role of Scrooge in the 'Christmas Carol's adaptation 'Christmas Karma.' The film, directed by Gurinder Chadha ,' will also star Eva Longoria , Hugh Bonneville , Billy Porter , and more. Furthermore, Nayyar would also be starring in 'The Up and Comer' and 'Patel.'
Pink Villa
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
THIS Big Bang Theory Star Believes His Character's Clothes Ruined Fashion for Him: ‘It's Very Apropos to the…'
Kunal Nayyar is looking back at his The Big Bang Theory days. The actor, who played Raj Koothrappali in the sitcom, revealed that he wasn't quite a fan of his character's wardrobe and ruined fashion for him off camera too. The actor made an appearance on The Big Bang Theory podcast, where he shared his first reaction to the outfits, as well as talked about his reunion with co-star Melissa Rauch. Nayyar portrayed the comically witty character for all 12 seasons that the show ran for. He co-starred alongside Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Johnny Galecki. Kunal Nayyar on ridiculous wardrobe of his character Raj on TBBT While in a conversation with the podcast host, Nayyar went on to talk about the clothes he wore as Raj on the sitcom. The actor said, "Me, as Kunal, having to wear those clothes every day, those cargo pants—you know, it's ruined for me." He added, "I can't wear clothes—like vintage Gucci sweaters or something that looks like Raj's sweaters that are in fashion now. I can't wear that stuff." Previously, while in talks with Entertainment Weekly. The actor went on to reveal about his bond with co-star Melissa Rauch, who played the role of Bernadette on The Big Bang Theory. The friends got together on the sets of Night Court, which premiered in 2024. Nayyar claimed, "We have a closeness that cannot be spoken about. It's an unspoken language of deep love and deep trust and deep connection that you can only experience if you go through a journey like that together for that long period of time.' He continued, 'So our relationship is beyond close. It's just deeper than that. I don't think there's a word that can describe how it is that we all feel about each other." On the work front, Kunal Nayyar will next appear in the adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed by Gurinder Chadha.
