An old Indian lady stood at a wedding procession and innocently remarked: ‘Lesbian? Her birthday is in March. I thought she was a Pisces?
Another person exclaimed, "She's not Lebanese, she's Punjabi!"
When I first watched this scene from the 2002 movieBend It Like Beckham, I was stunned. I couldn't picture an elderly Indian woman using the word 'lesbian'.
And since then, my queerFriends and I cite these lines at least once a month, as we roll around laughing.
But it's more than just a humorous remark – it's a defining moment in a movie that transformed countless lives.
For South Asianindividuals, Bend It Like Beckham provided a glimpse into our culture, theracismwe encounter and the expectations we hold for one another. It brought my South Asian hometown, Hounslow, into the spotlight and remains the film we return to when discussing representation.
However, it also evolved into a queer cult movie due to its suggestive underlying themes, memorable queer dialogue, and the coming-out narrative. So when I found out that the director, Gurinder Chada, has confirmed a sequel – hopefully featuring some of the original cast – I was thrilled.
But I had one idea: it should be more LGBTQ+.
No hidden meaning. No subtle hints. Gay. As. Hell.
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The 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham centered on Jess (Parminder Nagra), a young girl aspiring to become a professional football player.
She encounters Jules (Keira Knightley) and becomes part of the girls' local soccer team, Hounslow Harriers, despite her parents' objections.
It became a success – produced with just a $5.6 million budget, Bend it Like Beckham earned more than $76.8 million worldwide.
Although the movie did not directly state Jess' sexual orientation, her refusal to be overly sexualized as a teenage girl and her lack of interest in boys made her a model for someone like me, who is queer, and many others, helping us comprehend our identities.
In a particular scene, when Jess and Jules receive football scholarships in the United States, they celebrate by hugging and nearly kissing while holding each other – from my queer teenage perspective, they seemed to be essentially kissing passionately.
In another instance, Jess' best friend Tony comes out by informing her: 'Ireally"like Beckham," she said, giving her a sharp look. "But you're Indian!" Jess exclaims—just as many have said to me when I came out.
And, much like the welcoming friend she is, she immediately embraces him.
Jess' cropped vest/hoodie was, and likely still is, the most lesbian attire I've witnessed on an Indian woman in television, and it assisted me in embracing my own fashion sense.
When I was a young teenager, I made myself dress and behave in ways that catered to the male perspective.
But at 17, I turned into an emo, sporting several studded belts, heavy eyeliner around my eyes, and loose clothing. I was frequently labeled a 'tomboy' or 'strange' because I had refused to conform to the expectation of marrying a 'good Indian boy,' and had allowed myself to express who I truly was.
Certain members of my family reacted in a way similar to Jess' family in the movie, expressing that I needed to adopt Indian customs and be more like the Indian girls they were familiar with. They wished for me to be less unusual... less queer.
However, when Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), the coach of Hounslow Harriers, states, "Your parents don't always know what's best for you," I recognized that the idea of "respecting your elders" was a method of control. The movie could have been created specifically for me.
It's not only the story of the movie, but also the theme: women's football is indeed very gay these days.
Currently, there are many openly LGBTQ+ athletes participating in women's teams.
Although the characters in Bend It Like Beckham humorously discussed relationships with men and had crushes on their coach, the present Euro-winning English women's team consists of players such as Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Jess Carter, and Lauren Hemp, who are openly LGBTQ+.
Gurinder Chadha shared that her follow-up film is planned for a 2027 release, coinciding with the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Brazil.
Chadha has been quoted as saying that she is “thrilled to return to the original characters and bring back the lasting story, while adding to the legacy we contributed to in women's football.” She also mentioned, “women’s soccer is now more competitive, more thrilling, and more worldwide than ever. It's a privilege for me to be a part of it.”
Now we don't merely desire it back, we want it embraced in a gay manner. Just as the football we watch today, the lives we lead today, and the Indian people we openly are today.
In 2002, Jess stated: "I'm not playing with boys anymore – I'm joining a girls' team."
And by 2027, I hope this becomes a reality in every possible way.
Let's transform Bend It Like Beckham into a more queer version than it was originally intended to be.
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