Om Puri

O'Donnell's screen version of Ayub Khan-Din's play is a delightful little comedy about an Asian family's struggles in early-70s Salford. The late, lovely Om Puri is a Pakistani dad who runs a fish and chip shop with English wife Linda Bassett, and tries to bring up his large family in the traditional manner - arranged marriages, excruciating family gatherings - but the children start to rebel. A film that makes its points with wit and warmth.

Paul Howlett, The Guardian, 16th April 2017

Om Puri: Veteran Indian actor dies aged 66

Veteran Indian actor Om Puri, star of British hit East is East, has died aged 66, a family member has told the BBC.

BBC News, 6th January 2017

This Bafta-winner set around a Salford chippie had a budget of less than £2million but grossed more than $30million worldwide.

Based on the award-winning play by Ayub Khan-Din, it's a comedy peppered by some deeply dark, dramatic moments, and centres on a dysfunctional Anglo-Pakistani family ruled over by the gruff and stubborn Mr Khan (a towering, complex portrait by Om Puri).

As his seven children (including Jimi Mistry) grow up, they struggle between their father's expectations and wanting to live their own lives in 1970s Britain.

It's a choppy route their mum (Linda Bassett) tries to help them navigate while staying loyal to her beloved hubby. Anarchic and edgy as well as ultimately feel-good, it ducks some of the usual racial/religious clichés, unlike the many cringe-inducing imitators it spawned, including its own, belated, and best-forgotten sequel, West Is West.

Carol Carter and Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Metro, 6th February 2014