My most well-known film is of course Bend It Like Beckham, which was released 23 years ago – can you believe it!
The concept behind the film was to put two things together that traditionally would not have been seen together. In that instance it was a young South-Asian girl from London and football.
Back then the idea was inconceivable for several reasons. One, it’s not the traditional route for a girl from the South-Asian community. You think I’m joking but so many studios and networks rejected it – the idea of women, and even more so an Indian woman playing football was seen as a joke! And secondly, women’s sport did not have the recognition back then that it has now.
We never anticipated the reaction that Bend It Like Beckham would get, and that over 20 years later it would continue to be so cherished and loved all over the world.
Since the film, so much has changed for women’s sport. The games are on TV – that never used to be the case – and there is so much more visibility and encouragement for women to get involved in sports.
To see the evolution of how women’s sport is entering the mainstream has been incredible to watch. But the message from Bend It Like Beckham is still as important today as it was back then. The need to shine a light on women’s sport and celebrate the amazing players at all levels of every sport, be it football or cricket.
And this is exactly why I was excited to work with the ECB on this project. It made sense for many reasons.
I was excited to dive into the world of sport again – but not just any sport – cricket! My dad was a huge cricket fan and I spent many afternoons enjoying the drama whilst it was on the television at home.
Cricket is of course a rich part of the South-Asian community here in the UK and across the world. It is something that brings fans from all backgrounds and walks of life together. This is something we’ve really tried to reflect in the trailer.
In India, cricket is a huge part of our culture and fosters a huge sense of national pride for the country, transcending social and cultural divides. It fosters a sense of unity and community for the British-Indian community here in the UK too.
But of course we can’t forget the action on the pitch. England vs India is a historic cricketing rivalry with many great stars and moments in time, with a few more to be created this summer I’m sure.
I want to wish all the teams, the women’s, men’s and men’s mixed disability sides from both nations the best of luck this summer. My hope with working with the ECB to create this trailer is that much like in Bend It Like Beckham, young girls and boys of all backgrounds see it and think, I can do that too!
Hopefully we will continue to see the continued grown of women in sport across all communities and I know the ECB are working hard so we see more and more South-Asian girls playing the sport for themselves here in the UK – maybe this trailer will be the start of that movement.
The trailer is available to watch at www.ecb.co.uk/india-trailer