The upcoming film is based on journalist Sarfraz Manzoor's memoir, Greetings from Bury Park, about growing up in 1980s England and listening to Bruce Springsteen's music.
Gurinder Chadha begins shooting on Bruce Springsteen-inspired film, Blinded By The Light
Mumbai - 12 Apr 2018 20:00 IST
Sonal Pandya
Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha's next film has begun filming after getting the blessings of American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Blinded By The Light, a new British comedy by Chadha, got the Boss's approval on the London red carpet at the premiere of a documentary on Springsteen, called The Promise (2010). She later got the okay to go ahead with the film script from his managers Jon Landau and Barbara Carr
Based on journalist Sarfraz Manzoor's memoir, Greetings from Bury Park, the upcoming film will be about the author's experiences growing up as a son of Pakistani Muslim immigrant in 1980s England and listening to Bruce Springsteen's music to fit in and become a writer. Manzoor and Chadha found out that Springsteen had read Manzoor's book and had liked it.
The film will focus on Manzoor's teenage years and his conflicts with his father.
Artistes Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir (who worked with Chadha on her 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham), Sally Phillips have been cast in key roles. Newcomers Viveik Kalra and Nell Williams will be playing the young leads.
Last month, Chadha shared a photograph of herself "hanging out" with Springsteen on Instagram
Blinded By The Light is co-produced by Ingenious Media and Levantine Films, along with Chadha and Jane Barclay from Bend It Films. The film was also developed with support from the British Film Institute (BFI). The rights for UK and Australia have been taken by eOne, while Cornerstone Films will be handling the international sales.
