Parminder Nagra

Bend It Like Beckham: the film that ignited a love for football in so many women and girls

When this unassuming comedy came out in 2002, women's football wasn't even a professional sport in the UK or Australia. It's worth revisiting as the Women's World Cup approaches.

Maddie Thomas, The Guardian, 27th June 2023

Where are the Bend It Like Beckham cast now?

They kick-started some impressive careers playing football-mad teens on Bend It Like Beckham, alongside a string of well-established stars.

But while some of the cast have scored some major work goals since, others have battled personal issues including a highly-publicised drink problem and mental health struggles.

Rebecca Pocklington, The Sun, 13th November 2020

Gurinder Chadha's comedy about a British Asian girl who defies her parents' traditional values to play football for a local team is as predictable as England's early World Cup demise - but sweet and funny, too. Parminder Nagra makes an ace heroine, running rings around her co-star, Keira Knightley.

Paul Howlett, The Guardian, 8th June 2018