Indian-British Ebenezer Scrooge in New A Christmas Carol Film Despises Refugees
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, in a new film adaptation of A Christmas Carol, the character of Ebenezer Scrooge “looks down” on refugees. The Big Bang Theory actor Kunal Nayyar stars in the film, titled Christmas Karma, as a contemporary version of Scrooge named Mr. Soode, who is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, played by Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, and Boy George.
The film is directed by Gurinder Chadha, best known for Bend It Like Beckham. The cast also includes Danny Dyer as a taxi driver, Pixie Lott, Charithra Chandran, Leo Suter, and Hugh Bonneville as the ghost of Jacob Marley.
In a statement, Chadha said:
“Our Scrooge, known as Soode, is a British-Indian man who regards the poor—and especially refugees—with contempt. Soode believes that immense wealth elevates his status and position, and therefore the poor, the disabled, and the disenfranchised—those who, in his view, have not worked as hard as he has to achieve his standing—should all go to hell.”
The director added that this adaptation remains “deeply faithful” to the source material while showing audiences how “prejudice, poverty, and division” have shaped both Soode and his society. She emphasized that Charles Dickens’ story, 182 years after its publication, remains relevant and resonant in today’s world.
Chadha revealed that the film was partly inspired by the life of one of her relatives, who migrated from Uganda to Britain as a child:
“For several years, he didn’t feel he could celebrate Christmas, and the hardships of his childhood had made him resent it.”
In 2019, the BBC produced a miniseries based on the classic novel, starring Stephen Graham and written by Steven Knight. Bill Murray played Scrooge in 1988, and Jim Carrey took on the role in 2009.
Christmas Karma is set to be released on November 14.
