Bend It Like Beckham

Gurinder Chadha produced, wrote, and directed the romantic comedy sports film Bend It Like Beckham in 2002. The title of the film is a reference to English footballer David Beckham, who is known for curving free kicks past a wall of defenders. It follows a British Indian Sikh family's 18-year-old daughter in London. She adores football, but her parents prevent her from participating since she is a girl. She joins a local women's squad and helps them reach the league's top spot.

Bend It Like Beckham was a critical and commercial hit that came as a complete surprise. It is the highest-grossing sports film to focus on association football, with a box office gross of $76.6 million. On June 24, 2015, the Phoenix Theatre in London hosted the premiere of a theatrical musical adaptation.

Detailed Information:

Running time: 112 minutes

Actors: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay Lewis
Released: 2002
Directed by: Gurinder Chadha