Born in the 60s, Gurinder Chadha OBE relocated to London with her parents shortly after being born in Kenya.
Growing up as a second-generation Indian in London is something that resonates in Chadha’s work, with most of her films touching on this experience in some capacity.
Chadha’s latest upbeat feature, Christmas Karma, based on the Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, does exactly that.
The film, now in UK cinemas, retells the timeless story through a modern lens; Scrooge is Mr Sood, Chadha embraces a new Bollywood musical-inspired angle and we get an insight into the magic of a more contemporary Christmas in London.
Find out how London's festive spirit plays a leading role in this new family-friendly feature.
Visit London interviews Gurinder Chadha
Visit London: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been reimagined many times. What inspired you to bring this story to life through your lens?
Gurinder Chadha: I felt that the story was a powerful take on disparity and showed people to be more tolerant, kind and less prejudiced. That’s the essence of what Charles Dickens wrote in 1883, and those values remain relevant today. I wanted to view it through the lens of someone that I knew: someone that had faced the same situation as my Sood, was quite a grinch at Christmas and who's attitude stemmed from childhood trauma.
I wanted to tell the story from the perspective of someone forced to leave their home, start anew in an unfamiliar place, Britain, and turning to wealth as a shield – believing money would grant status and protect them from struggle.
I wanted to make it a musical because for me, Christmas is all about musicals and films, and I love music. I loved the idea of bringing London’s streets alive with music. I had the opportunity of working with great musicians: Shaznay Lewis from All Saints, Gary Barlow from Take That, Nitin Sawhney, Punjabi MC, Boy George, Billy Porter and Lady Leshurr.
Together they created a soundtrack that reflects the London I see around me. Music is a universal connector: we all enjoy it, regardless of cultural background. Using music is a powerful storytelling tool and shows how much we are alike rather than different.
What makes London special or unique to you and the story?
London is truly my home – the only city I’ve ever known, where I’ve grown up and lived all my life. I am completely a Londoner, having lived in west, south and now north London.
When the Christmas lights come on, there’s no place better than London. As a child, my dad would drive us from Southall into the city to see the Christmas lights – a special treat. We would cruise along the A40 through Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street, marvelling at the displays and the massive tree in Trafalgar Square. It was magical then and still is now. That’s why London is such a special place for me at Christmas.
London is often described as a city of villages – how did you capture that mosaic of neighbourhoods, cultures and stories on screen?
I see London as home to countless people, languages and vibrant communities with their own unique cultures. In the film, that diversity shines through not only in the music but in the cast.
We brought together an incredible cast from different backgrounds, all celebrating Christmas in their own unique way. For me, that captures the many sides of London, all wrapped up in a Christmas bow in my movie.
Was there a particular scene that best embodies that feeling of community and togetherness that defines Christmas in London?
The opening song, Christmas Karma, sets the tone at the start and returns at the end. Cutting between Danny Dyer, Sood and various singers and dancers, as well as beautiful shots of London at Christmas: Somerset House, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Bond Street, Piccadilly. Truly spectacular views of the city.
Adding Christmas music makes it feel magical. Also, Danny Dyer driving a London cab through the streets lit up for Christmas, commenting on the lights – what could be more London at Christmas than that?
London looks spectacular during the festive season. How did you convey the magic of Christmas through the film?
I really wanted to capture the angels on Regent Street – they take my breath away every Christmas. Trafalgar Square was another must with its iconic tree and now a Christmas market too.
I love All Souls Church at the top of Regent Street by the BBC. Its simple yet striking decorations are beautiful and I included a shot in the film. Bond Street offers a completely different style of lights to Oxford Street and I wanted to show the contrast.
I also filmed St Martin's Lane with its theatrical lights, the London Eye along the river and even India House all lit up in the colours of the Indian flag: orange, green and white – likely for Diwali, but perfect for my montage of London.
Clerkenwell was important too as Charles Dickens spent a lot of his time there, so Sood's house is in a wonderful square just off Rosebury Avenue.
I live in Primrose Hill so when I needed a corner shop I asked my local one and donated the fee to charity. That was convenient for me – I just had to roll out of bed that day of filming!
Camden Town, where the Cratchits live in the book, was another key location to stay true to the story.
For people who have never been to London over Christmas, what do you hope they’ll feel or be inspired by after watching the film?
I hope viewers are inspired by the magic of London and the spirit of its people captured in the film.
London is a big, beautiful and diverse city reflected so wonderfully on screen. I want them to leave the cinema thinking “wow, we need to visit London”, and to feel as warm and fuzzy in London as the film makes them feel.
Beyond the lights and music, what do you hope audiences take away from the themes of generosity, connection and community in Christmas Karma?
I hope people watch the film and feel inspired to show compassion.
Christmas is a time for looking out for one another and forgiving – values that are rooted in Christianity and shared by other faiths, such a Sikhism, which I am part of.
The message from Charles Dickens' original and my version is the same: every human life matters. We don't know what struggles others face, so be kind, be considerate and seek connections. At the end of the day, what does it mean to be human? To give. When we give, through charity and compassion, we feel good as human beings. That's what Charles Dickens was saying, and that's what I'm saying too.
If you could send viewers to one spot in London to feel the true heart of the film, where would it be and why?
Stand under the angels at the bottom of Regent Street with Piccadilly Circus behind you, and look up. It makes for the most spectacular Christmas moment as they twinkle and shine down on you.
How would you describe your film in one sentence to someone planning a winter trip to London?
If you've never experienced London at Christmas, you haven't lived.
The city transforms with festive lights, pubs, bars and restaurants, buzzing with people enjoying themselves after a hard year, letting it all out. The streets feel joyful and lively with spontaneous bursts of songs and Christmas music blaring from every corner. Churches glow, shop windows sparkle and everyone embraces the spirit of the festive season. That's what I love and that's what you’ll see if you come to London.
What about one word?!
Festive. London is festive and fun and for all the family, just like Christmas Karma.
Step inside the magic of Christmas in London. See the sparkle of London's iconic Christmas lights, fill up on stocking fillers at the capital's top festive markets. Or, find more things to do in London.