SPECIAL
REPORT: CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
RADIO
SARGAM SPECIAL FEATURE: "Chicken Tikka Masala",
a new British film comedy which follows a gay Asian man and his efforts
to avoid an arranged marriage, and winner of critical acclaim at several
international film festivals is to open across the UK April 22.
An independently
produced film, shot in the North West of England, Chicken Tikka Masala
stars Chris Bisson (East Is East, Shameless) and Peter Ash (Footballer's
Wives) as the hapless lovers, while the traditionally minded father
of the groom is played by Saeed Jaffrey OBE (My Beautiful Laundrette,
Gandhi). Also starring are Sally Bankes (Little Britain, Fat Friends)
and Zohra Segal (Bhaji on the Beach, Jewel in the Crown).
Chicken
Tikka Masala follows the fortunes of the Chopra family of Preston as
they arrange for their only son Jimi (Chris Bisson) to become engaged
to Simran, a pretty, well-educated girl from a respectable Indian family.
Simran is perfect in every way but there's one major problem, Jimi is
in love with someone else.his boyfriend Jack!
Chicken
Tikka Masala is a comedy of errors, examining relationships and love
that rise above issues of culture, age and sexuality and see no boundaries.
Directed by Harmage Singh Kalirai, the film is produced by Lancashire-based
filmmakers Sanjay Tandon and Rony Ghosh and is written by 18-year old
Roopesh Parekh who between them have created an entertaining collision
of cultures.
Says actor
Chris Bisson, who plays the reluctant groom, Jimi: "The story itself
is very funny. But it's also very challenging because it looks at a
subject rarely presented in cinema. The film shows the real dilemma
facing a young man who is trying to balance familial duties against
his own happiness."
Saeed Jaffrey
plays Mr. Chopra, Jimi's father: "The film presents Mr. Chopra
with some very difficult issues. His traditional attitudes come into
direct conflict with the realities of modern life, and one of the story's
pivotal issues rests on his ability to come to terms with change."
Chicken
Tikka Masala was the opening feature at Kinofilm, Manchester's 9th International
Short Film Festival, which started on 21st February, and was also invited
to be screened at the Sydney, Australia, Mardi Gras Film Festival. Followings
its screening at the Raindance Film Festival it was nominated for a
British Independent Film Award.
Chicken
Tikka Masala is a Film Inc release and will open in cinemas across the
UK on April 22, 2005.
REPORT
BY ROBEEL HAQ
