The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar will star in Gurinder Chadha’s next film, Christmas Karma. It’s due out this December.
News has emerged about Gurinder Chadha’s next project, confirmed to be an adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Titled Christmas Karma, the film will star Kunal Nayyar as Scrooge. He’ll be joined by an ensemble cast that includes Eva Longoria, Boy George, Billy Porter, Hugh Bonneville, Leo Suter, Charithra Chandran, Pixie Lott, Danny Dyer, Bilal Hasna, Allan Corduner, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rufus Jones, Eve, and Nitin Ganatra.
We can’t say we expected to see Danny Dyer, Boy George and Billy Porter in the same film, but there we are. We also reported earlier this year that the film’s Scrooge would be an “Indian Tory who hates refugees”.
Christmas Karma will also be a Bollywood-style musical; Gary Barlow is in charge of music alongside Shaznay Lewis and Nitin Sawhney.
“Just as I have enjoyed Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ for many years,” Chadha said in a statement, “my aim with Christmas Karma is to create a festive classic for our times and for generations to come. By adapting one of history’s greatest novels – Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol – I am making a British film from my unique, original point of view but one that resonates with Dickens’ masterful statement on the human condition.”
She added: “I’m over the moon to be working with Zygi Kamasa who has supported me on this film from the onset – and true Brit, which truly celebrates British cinema. I am blessed with such a great diverse cast and eclectic music team – the soundtrack will be banging, influenced by gospel, Bhangra, carols and classic pop songs. You will not be able to sit still!”
Kunal Nayyar, best known as Raj in The Big Bang Theory, also commented on joining the film: “To explore a beloved holiday tale through the eyes of an immigrant story (much like my own) is exactly the kind of movie that I believe will resonate with so many of us who are searching for the meaning of home. It takes a visionary like Gurinder to take a chance on a story like this, and I am humbled to be a part of it. “
Christmas Karma will begin production on the 22nd April and is heading into cinemas this Christmas. When a specific date’s announced, we’ll be sure to let you know.