Blinded by the Light

Inspired by the rock anthems of Bruce Springsteen, 'Blinded by the Light' is a coming-of-age tale that focuses on teenager and first-generation Pakistani, Javed (Viveik Kalra, 'Voyagers', 'Next of Kin'), as he attempts to make his own way in 1987 Luton, England. Javed dreams of becoming a famous writer as an escape from the racist bullying he faces at school and around town, but pressure from his father (Kulvinder Ghir, 'Any Human Heart', 'My Life as a Popat') to pursue a more traditional route makes him doubt his own abilities, even when his supportive English teacher, Ms. Clay (Hayley Atwell, 'Agent Carter', 'The Duchess') implores him to speak on behalf of those so underrepresented in the British media of the 1980s

When Javed's classmate, Roops (Aaron Phagura, 'Informer', 'Doctor Who'), gives him two tapes of Bruce Springsteen hits, Javed feels as though a piece of art has truly understood him for the first time, and it inspires him to make more effort in crafting his own works. With a new hunger to create awakened, Javed must fight to produce new art without sacrificing his roots.

'Blinded by the Light' is based on the memoirs of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, 'Greetings from Bury Park: Race. Religion. Rock'n'Roll', and is directed by Gurinder Chadha ('Bend It Like Beckham', 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging').