More than 20 years after it first charmed audiences around the world, Bend It Like Beckham is officially getting a sequel. Director Gurinder Chadha confirmed over the weekend that she is developing a follow-up to her 2002 cultural touchstone, which broke new ground in both women’s sports and representation.
Chadha made the announcement in Basel, Switzerland, where England’s women’s football team, the Lionesses, were preparing for their Euro 2025 final match against world champions Spain. For the filmmaker, the timing felt serendipitous. “We’ve been part of changing the game for women,” she said, “so it felt like this was a good time for me to go back and investigate the characters.”
The sequel is being planned for release in 2027, aligning with the 25th anniversary of the original film and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Bend It Like Beckham followed the story of Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra, an 18-year-old British-Indian girl passionate about football, despite her traditional family’s disapproval. Her journey intertwines with Jules Paxton, a fellow footballer who invites Jess to join a local women’s team. The film starred Parminder Nagra and a then-up-and-coming Keira Knightley, and quickly became a global hit, earning nearly $80 million at the box office on a modest $4.6 million budget. It went on to inspire a generation — particularly young British-Asian girls — to pursue their dreams, both on and off the field.
Chadha revealed that she has been asked “almost twice a week” over the years about a potential sequel. “A lot has changed since the original movie,” she said, “but I think that people still don’t think that women should play football. There are people who still don’t take it seriously, although the Lionesses are riding high.”
While the format of the sequel has yet to be finalized — it could become either a feature film or a television series — Chadha is optimistic about reuniting the original cast. She also hinted at possible appearances by members of the current England women’s squad, saying she imagines they’ll be “queuing up” to be part of the new project.
Reflecting on the original film’s legacy, Chadha emphasized its deeper cultural message. “I intended to uplift girls — girls who grew up like me, who were always being told how to dress, how to look, what to say, what not to say,” she said. “What I did was say you can do what you want, and you can have it all.”
With women’s football reaching new heights in global popularity and visibility, Chadha believes the story of Bend It Like Beckham is far from over. “I think there’s still stuff to say, and stuff to challenge,” she added.