Global superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas has reimagined Wham!’s timeless festive hit ‘Last Christmas’ with a distinct desi flavour for Christmas Karma, the new festive family film by acclaimed British-Indian director Gurinder Chadha. The track, which features on the Christmas Karma: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, is out now alongside the film’s UK and Ireland cinema release on November 14th via True Brit Entertainment.
With a staggering 93 million Instagram followers and an impressive list of accolades including India’s prestigious Padma Shri, recognition in Time’s 100 and the BBC 100 Women lists, and the distinction of being the first South Asian actress to win a People’s Choice Award for her role in Quantico, Chopra Jonas’s latest project marks a meaningful collaboration with a long-time friend.
Speaking about the collaboration, Chopra Jonas said: “Gurinder Chadha has been one of the very few stalwarts in entertainment that has championed stories of the Indian diaspora globally and consistently with absolute authenticity and heart. She is a dear friend and I am so happy to support her in my little way in Christmas Karma. I hope this desi twist to a song, that has long been the soundtrack of Christmas for so many of us, resonates with audiences.”
Chadha, best known for Bend It Like Beckham and Blinded By The Light, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to reimagine George Michael’s holiday classic. “I am the biggest George Michael fan, and frankly who isn’t, so I am very grateful to his estate for allowing us to put our own unique twist on his classic Christmas song,” she said. “When I called my mate Priyanka Chopra Jonas to sing our fun Hindi version, she kindly stepped in to support me and the film with her beautiful take on Last Christmas. George loved Bend It Like Beckham and invited me for tea after he saw it. I hope he will enjoy this track in heaven and all his fans around the world will sing along to the catchy Hindi vibe!”
Described as a festive, feel-good musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Christmas Karma follows Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Mr. Sood, a modern-day Scrooge who embarks on a magical journey guided by the Ghosts of Christmas, played by Eva Longoria, Billy Porter and Boy George. The film’s star-studded cast also includes Leo Suter, Pixie Lott, Charithra Chandran, Danny Dyer and Hugh Bonneville.
The film’s vibrant soundtrack blends gospel, bhangra, rap, Christmas carols and classic pop, celebrating Britain’s diversity through music. Alongside Chopra Jonas, the album features performances from Gary Barlow, Billy Porter, Shaznay Lewis, Pixie Lott, Boy George and Malkit Singh, with songwriting and production credits from Nitin Sawhney, Ben Cullum, Panjabi MC and Hilmi Jaidin.
The title track, Christmas Karma, performed by Shaznay Lewis, Pixie Lott and Austin Howard, has already offered a glimpse into the film’s lively and heartwarming spirit.
Christmas Karma is presented by BendIt Networks in association with True Brit Entertainment and Civic Studios and releases in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 14 November.
