Asian films in the 21st centaury often come in two guises. The first is the sequin-clad musical that blazes with energetic dance-routines, catchy numbers and perhaps the odd goofy humour.
The second is the British-born rebel, delivering its story and emotions through angsty dialogue and montages accompanied by an Indie-Brit track. And more often than not, its tales often involve a teenager battling against parents determined to see them married off and making ‘aloo ghobi.’
But feel-good drama Naachle London, which hits screens on 24th February, does not fall into any of these two categories. In fact, like its director Neville Raschid, it is one-of-a-kind.
Taking the classic Bollywood story of poor boy-meets-rich girl, the maverick director infuses it with a British setting and a number of Western influences, from three-dimensional characters to thought-provoking themes.
With topics ranging from the recession to social conflicts arising from interracial relationships, self-esteem and the taboos attached to Asian divorcees, ‘Naachle London’ comes across as a thinking man’s film, while retaining the fun factor of Bollywood through six hip-swinging dance numbers (which includes a rap song!)
And to add to the British-Asian package, the film boasts of a stellar cast that includes
Raj Ghatak, from BAFTA nominated musical Bombay Dreams, Benidorm heartthrob Jake Canuso newcomer Sofia Hayat and funnyman Kulvinder Ghir.
Asian World met up with Ghir and director Neville Raschid to discuss how Naachle London came together.
Synopsis
London’s calling for child dancers and singers for an England-set blockbuster launched by Indian Cinema’s biggest icon, Amitav Mahajan, whose 40-year career boasts of big-budget Bollywood films.
The competition prompts families to send their children to a Bollywood dance class in preparation for the auditions at the London Mela, which is where Vijay and Rani meet.
Vijay (Raj Ghatak) is a struggling musician and doting father to his daughter ‘Krishna’ (Alyssa Sharma) with whom he lives in aWest Londoncouncil flat. Rani (Sofia Hayat), on the other hand, is a successful businesswoman juggling work commitments with a family life, looking after her daughter ‘Jesse’ (Gursimran Deu), son ‘Amit’ (Aaron Pandher) and orthodox father ‘JT’ (Kulvinder Ghir).
But since Vijay and Rani are single parents from differing financial backgrounds, family disapproval, the gossiping Asian community and even destiny itself all play a part in pulling the couple further apart….
