FiRsT PaRaGraPh..x

‘Due to the lack of Asians in the media, any portrayal can be viewed as stereotypical, because that's all viewers have to define Asians (not that they should base their views on movies, of course, but many will)’ – from a review of ‘Bride & Prejudice’ [1]
'How are Asians represented in film and television, with particular focus on Bride & Prejudice?'

Asians have been migrating to the UK for a number of years, although, migration from the Indian subcontinent peaked in the late 1960s and early 70s. [2] Since, we have witnessed the affluent progression of Asians in the business community; some of Britain’s richest such as the Jasminder Singh Family: owners of the Edwardian Group [3]. However, despite such succession within society, Asians have still been minutely represented in the media.

Gurinder Chadha is one of such successful Asians today. However, what differentiates Chadha from others is her progression in creating awareness of Asian culture and values and exhibiting them in mainstream media effectively. Chadha has produced two main landmark films in representing the Asian community, ‘Bhaji on the Beach’ (1992) and more recently ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ (2002).

‘Bride & Prejudice’, (2004) also by Gurinder Chadha, is an adaptation of the novel ‘Pride & Prejudice’ by writer Jane Austen, and is fundamentally about traditional mother Mrs. Bakshi and her eagerness to find suitable husbands for her four unmarried daughters. [4] Brought to us by mainstream producer, Miramax Films ‘Bride & Prejudice’ demonstrates the portrayal of young Asian women today. Breaking free from stereotypical roles, all four sisters are represented in individually distinct manners. Dealing with the themes of love, marriage, tradition and family values, ‘Bride & Prejudice’ is exemplary of the contemporary attitude of Asians in today’s society.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0361411/usercomments?start=60 [1]

http://www.ipa.co.uk/diversity/communities_asian.html [2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2843321.stm [3]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361411/plotsummary [4]