Billy Porter and Boy George Lead Diverse Cast in Bollywood-Inspired “A Christmas Carol” Adaptation

Christmas Karma, a Bollywood-inspired musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ enduring classic A Christmas Carol, will premiere in UK cinemas on November 14, 2025. The film, directed by Gurinder Chadha—renowned for her work on Bend It Like Beckham—promises to bring a joyful, contemporary twist to the beloved holiday story, making it more relevant and resonant for today’s audiences .

Among the film’s star-studded cast are Billy Porter, acclaimed for his Tony-winning performances and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility, and Boy George, the iconic frontman of Culture Club and a longstanding figure in queer music history. Porter takes on the role of The Ghost of Christmas Present, while Boy George appears as The Ghost of Christmas Future .

The film also features Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Mr Sood, a modern reimagining of Ebenezer Scrooge, Eva Longoria as The Ghost of Christmas Past, and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Additional cast members include Danny Dyer, Charithra Surya Chandran, Leo Suter, and Pixie Lott .

Christmas Karma sets Dickens’ tale in present-day London, highlighting the city’s diversity through its characters, music, and themes. The film’s protagonist, Mr Sood, is portrayed as a wealthy British Indian businessman whose initial disdain for refugees and marginalized communities serves as a pointed reflection on contemporary social issues. Director Gurinder Chadha has emphasized that the adaptation aims to examine how prejudice, poverty, and division affect society, drawing from her own family’s history as refugees to ground the story in lived experience .

Chadha stated, “Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular. Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn’t work as hard as him to get where he is” .

Christmas Karma’s soundtrack, curated by acclaimed musicians Gary Barlow, Nitin Sawhney, and Shaznay Lewis, blends gospel, bhangra, classic pop, rap, and traditional holiday carols. This musical fusion underscores the film’s celebration of multicultural London and its message of acceptance and reconciliation. The film also draws inspiration from Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, reinforcing themes of personal transformation and the importance of community .

For LGBTQ+ audiences, the casting of Porter and Boy George is significant. Both performers have used their platforms to advocate for greater visibility and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Porter’s groundbreaking roles on stage and screen have challenged gender norms and brought queer stories to mainstream audiences, while Boy George’s signature style and unapologetic queerness have inspired generations. Their involvement in Christmas Karma signals a commitment to authentic representation and ensures that LGBTQ+ perspectives are woven into the fabric of the film .

Early reactions from LGBTQ+ and multicultural media outlets have highlighted the film’s potential to become a holiday favorite, particularly for those seeking stories that reflect London’s—and the world’s—diverse communities . The film’s reimagining of Dickens’ narrative—focusing on issues such as refugee experiences, class divides, and the transformative power of empathy—resonates strongly in today’s sociopolitical climate.

With its all-star, multi-ethnic cast and innovative musical approach, Christmas Karma is poised to deliver an affirming, inclusive holiday story that speaks to the importance of compassion and belonging. As anticipation builds for its release, the film stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of A Christmas Carol—and the power of reinterpreting classic tales for new generations.