The director of the beloved British football film Bend It Like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha, has revealed the surprising reason why Keira Knightley didn’t land the lead role in the 2002 hit.
Chadha, who helmed the iconic movie, shared that Knightley was initially considered for the part of Jules Paxton, which eventually went to Parminder Nagra. However, the young actress’s mother stepped in to prevent her from taking the role.
"Keira’s mum said no because she wanted her to focus on her A-levels," Chadha explained. "It’s funny how things turn out—Keira went on to become a huge star anyway!"
The film, which also starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Archie Panjabi, became a cultural phenomenon, celebrating football, friendship, and breaking stereotypes. Knightley, of course, later rose to fame with roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride & Prejudice.
Chadha’s revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into the casting process and the unpredictable nature of Hollywood—or in this case, British cinema.
