For many young South Asian women, Bend It Like Beckham wasn’t just a movie—it was a revelation. The 2002 film, which followed Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra as she defied cultural expectations to pursue football, resonated deeply with girls who saw their own struggles reflected on screen.
One such fan, Simran Sandhu, recalls how her passion for the sport clashed with her Punjabi father’s traditional views. “Football was for boys,” he insisted, refusing to let her join a team until she was 14. Watching the film around that time, Simran was stunned by how closely Jess’s story mirrored her own. “It made me feel heard and seen,” she says.
The film’s impact extended far beyond Simran. Maz Ullah, another fan, remembers renting it from Blockbuster and recognizing her own life in Jess’s journey. Her father, an avid football supporter, still balked at the idea of her playing. “Pick any sport,” he told her—then immediately backtracked when she chose football.
Not every South Asian girl faced the same resistance. Riya Mannu, now a player for Birmingham City FC, had her father’s full support. Yet even she found inspiration in the film, watching it repeatedly and even meeting director Gurinder Chadha. “It showed me what was possible,” she says.
For others, the film’s significance went beyond football. Jasmine Rai and Natasha Retnasingam, both 25, praised its rare, positive portrayal of South Asian culture. “It was a staple in brown households,” Jasmine notes. Natasha adds that its message—pursuing dreams against all odds—transcended sport entirely.
Despite progress in women’s football since the film’s release, challenges remain. Many girls still struggle to find teams, and parents often shoulder heavy costs for kits and training. Yasmin Hussain, who quit football at 13 due to a lack of local opportunities, returned years later as a coach to help others avoid the same fate. “Girls don’t see it as a boys’ sport anymore,” she says.
With a sequel reportedly in the works, fans are hopeful—but cautious. “Would it be as good as the first one?” Riya wonders. Regardless, the original’s legacy is undeniable: for a generation of South Asian women, Bend It Like Beckham wasn’t just entertainment. It was permission to dream.
