Bhaji On The Beach Blu-Ray with Booklet (BFI/Region B)

Gurinder Chadha’s debut feature Bhaji on the Beach is an empowering and cultured comedy about the bond between women regardless of age and background. A group of women, led by Simi (Shaheen Khan), leave their lives in Birmingham for a day out in Blackpool. Initially, the women seem not to have much in common due to their age gaps and different beliefs but by the end of the day, they learn of the bond they share and the significance of each other’s company. Director Gurinder Chadha and screenwriter Meera Syal infuse a precise and slightly critical eye as well as a welcome warmth into this charming and funny story.

Gurinder Chadha made her feature film debut with Bhaji on the Beach before having a smash hit with Bend it Like Beckham in 2002. Following a string of subsequent films she is now firmly established as arguably Britain's most successful British Asian filmmaker.

A day trip to Blackpool to see the lights offers a harmless break from the routine for a minibus full of women from the 
Saheli Asian Women’s Centre. 

It all seems innocent enough but as the minibus trundles along to a Punjabi rendition of Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday, problems quickly become apparent. Ginder is fleeing her violent husband with her five-year-old son. Hashida is eighteen, about to start medical school and has just discovered that she is pregnant by her boyfriend. Teenage sisters Madhu and Ladhu, with no parent in sight, are on the rampage… for a man! Asha is to discover that there is life and, indeed, romance beyond the confines of the shop counter. And the judgmental Pushpa faces her day of reckoning when she encounters some male strippers. 

Gurinder Chadha’s directorial feature debut of Meera Syal’s witty and observant script is an empowering comedy and celebration of the enduring bond between women.

Extras

• Presented in High Definition
• I’m British But... (1989, 29 mins): a short film by Gurinder Chadha uncovering a defiant culture of British Asian sisters and brothers against the rhythms of Bhangra and Bangla music. Includes optional introduction by activist and broadcaster Shani Dhanda
• A Nice Arrangement (1991, 11 mins): a short comedy directed by Gurinder Chadha and written by Meera Syal about the pre-ceremony rituals of an arranged marriage
• First film of Blackpool (c1898, 1 min): early footage of Blackpool from the BFI National Archive
• Holiday (1957, 18 mins): the delights of 1950s Blackpool holidays are vibrantly revisited in John Taylor’s fondly remembered travelogue, produced for British Transport Films
• London Me Bharat (1972, 20 mins): the first Hindi-language film made in Britain, presenting a distinctive and sometimes surprising view of 1970s Britain
• Gallery - a selection of stills and documents from Gurinder Chadha's paper collection held at the BFI National Archive
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring a director’s statement, new essays on the film by Kohinoor Sahota and Jessica Boyall, and new writing on A Nice Arrangement and London Me Bharat by Rachel Pronger

This is a UK Import. The Blu-ray is Region B and will require a multi-regional capable player.