Two Cultures. One Truth: Gurinder Chadha on Identity, Belonging & Owning Your Story
From Lessons From Our Mothers by Cressida and Isabella
March 1, 2026 · 59 min · Season 3 · Episode 6
About this episode
Cressida and Isabella discuss identity and belonging with filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, exploring her experiences as a daughter of immigrants and the lessons from her mother.
🌸 Cressida and Isabella are joined by award-winning film director Gurinder Chadha. Best known for her 2002 hit Bend It Like Beckham , Gurinder has spent her career telling stories that explore identity, family and belonging. 🌸Gurinder shares what it was like growing up as the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants in Britain, and how she navigated her mother’s cultural expectations while carving out a path of her own. She reflects on the unexpected success of Bend It Like Beckham and shares the spiritual lessons her mother instilled in her that continue to guide her life and work today. 🌸 Join Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson as they explore how maternal figures have shaped the lives of their guests. Each episode delves into the valuable lessons they’ve carried forward, those they’ve left behind, and the profound impact maternal figures have had throughout their lives. 💬 Plus, hear from listener Anushka, who shares some of the most valuable lessons she’s taken from her mum! 📱Have a lesson to share? Send us a DM or voice message on Instagram @lessonsfromourmothers. 🎙️An OG Podcasts production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Hosts: Cressida Bonas, Isabella Branson
Guest: Gurinder Chadha
Topics covered
- identity
- belonging
- cultural expectations
- maternal influence
- storytelling
Keywords
- identity
- belonging
- Gurinder Chadha
- Bend It Like Beckham
- maternal lessons
- cultural expectations
- storytelling
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Acast, OG Podcasts
Books & works: Bend It Like Beckham
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