Bringing together the cheeky joy of UK pantomime and the sparkle of Bollywood, Christmas Karma is the holiday film to kick off your end-of-year watchlist. Written and directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham), this vibrant reimagining of A Christmas Carol takes the familiar Dickens tale and reframes it for a modern London — one grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, cultural intersections, and questions of belonging.
A culturally rich twist on a classic story with big song and dance performances, and London’s Christmas charm.
Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) plays Eshaan Sood, a business tycoon who has forgotten how to be kind. He’s sharp, smug, and impressively unlikeable, an imposing modern Scrooge. Christmas Karma leans fully into the “bah humbug” spirit, holding a mirror to a city where festive lights glow against the realities of inequality and cultural differences.
The film’s arrives with three charismatic guides who dance, sing, and belt their way through Sood’s past, present, and possible future:
- Eva Longoria brings charm and colour as the Día de los Muertos-inspired Ghost of Christmas Past
- Billy Porter, ever the scene-stealer, delivers soul, sass, and sparkle as the Ghost of Christmas Present
- Boy George steps in as the shadowy Ghost of Christmas Future, steering the emotional climax
Chadha threads conversations about who celebrates Christmas (and who doesn’t) through a story that’s ultimately about empathy. Much like Dickens’ 1843 novel, the themes still resonate 182 years later. The film nudges audiences to think about community, generosity, and how we define ‘home’ during the holidays.
Christmas Karma is a culturally rich twist on a classic story with big song and dance performances, and London’s Christmas charm.
So Frank Says
- We loved seeing London lit up for Christmas — the festive streets and markets look spectacular on screen.
- The original score delivers big Bollywood energy with memorable one-liners and choreography.
- And make sure you stay for the credits: a joyful rendition of “Last Christmas” featuring Priyanka Chopra is worth the wait.
Favourite Line
Take your mis-guided jolly Christmas spirit with you.
Screening details
- Season dates: 27 November–December 2025
- Film Festival: British Film Festival 2025 check the 2025 program for early screening dates
- Language: English (with musical sequences)
