Bend It Like Beckham director returns with first sports film in 23 years
Whack it like Wyatt-Hodge, hit high with Heather Knight and smash it like Sciver-Brunt!
Bend It Like Beckham, the 2002 classic, was ahead of its time, celebrating culture and creating representation for women in sports.
Fast forward to today, director Gurinder Chadha is back to create a three-minute film in collaboration with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to promote this summer's England Women vs India Women series.
The spirited showdown stars England players Danni Wyatt-Lodge, Lauren Filer, and, of course, England Captain Heather Knight, and features bold visuals and flashes of iconic moments on the pitch.
Most importantly, the trailer highlights the representation within the sport.
Drawing heavily on Chadha's signature storytelling style, the short film captures the energy, emotion and intensity of England's rivalry with India, whilst also weaving together real footage.
There are also various playful nods to Chadha's previous work.
There are clever references to Bend It like Beckham throughout Chadha's short film, including the iconic shirt-waving celebration, re-imagined into a cricketing context.
Chadha's work also pays homage to the vibrancy of the British-Indian cricket community, showcasing fans from both sides with chants, face paint and flags – all set against a background of booming music.
In a Metro exclusive, Chadha, 65, spoke on why she felt like she couldn't miss this opportunity: 'I love sports where women are empowered to play on an equal field!
'So I think the England Women's cricket series against India was another opportunity, like Bend It Like Beckham, where if you show powerful images of women playing any sport it can inspire so many to go and take it up.
'I really hope it will get young women going to the England Women's cricket games against India this summer and finding the inspiration to pick up a bat or ball!'
The short film not only marks Chadha's return to female-driven sport stories, but it also highlights the increasing excitement towards women's cricket in the mainstream. More Trending
This project marks a busy year for Chadha as she is set to direct a Christmas musical film that is set to release this November.
Chadha told us: 'I have a really exciting film coming out in cinemas this November based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol called Christmas Karma – it's a contemporary musical twist on the classic, starring Kunal Nayyar, Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, Boy George, Hugh Bonneville and Danny Dyer.'
'It captures what I love about vibrant, diverse London in the same joyous spirit as Bend It Like Beckham.'
This summer, it's not just about runs and wickets – it's about history in the making.
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MORE: England's Headingley win over India showed how Test cricket can deliver the gold standard of sporting suspense
MORE: Jasprit Bumrah injury update from India after England win first Test
MORE: 'Complete cricketer' – Stuart Broad hails England star after stunning India win
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