senior political and military leaders of being involved in a plot to assassinate him. mr khan was shot in the leg at a protest march on thursday. the government has dismissed the claims as baseless and irresponsible. king charles has hosted a reception at buckingham palace for over 200 politicians and campaigners ahead of the cop27 climate change summit in egypt. the king won't be attending but the british prime minister rishi sunak is now going after initially declining an invitation. a series of train strikes, due to start this morning, have been suspended by the rmt and tssa unions. the walkouts, on the 5th, 7th and 9th of november, would have brought the rail network to a virtual halt. but now, union leaders and network rail bosses have agreed to intensify talks. our transport correspondent

katy austin has the details. the latest in an series of strikes to effect britain's rail network was meant to be starting tomorrow when members of the rmt union who work for network rail and 1a train companies were due to take part in strikes on saturday, monday and on wednesday. now, they have been called off this afternoon. the rmt says it will enter a period of intense negotiations with the employers, with network rail and the train companies, but crucially the announcement was made so late today that it is too late now to change the timetables back for saturday so there will still be a lot of disruption tomorrow, there will also be a lot of disruption on monday, could be services back to monday on wednesday but passengers are being told to still very much check before they travel over the coming days. why have the strikes been called off? the rmt union says

it has secured a commitment from the train companies that they will make them a pay offer but have not done so yet. and it has network rail has agreed to have talks that are unconditional. the rail industry sources i have spoken to say actually, their position has not really changed to welcome the rmt�*s announcement this afternoon and have that they are committed to with those negotiations in the hope that a settlement can be reached. now on bbc news, talking movies, and a special edition marking the 20th anniversary of bend it like beckham. i come here mainly to walk the dog in the morning and in the afternoon and then also, it's a great place to just clear your thoughts.

great place to “ust clear your thoughts.— great place to “ust clear your thou~hts. �* ., ., ., thoughts. i've come to london to meet gurinder_ thoughts. i've come to london to meet gurinder chadha, - thoughts. i've come to london to meet gurinder chadha, a i to meet gurinder chadha, a pioneering in the film industry, the first british asian woman to direct mainstream features in the uk. films that have won major awards and become international hits. in her movies, some eight feature films in all, but her best—known bend it like beckham... best-known bend it like beckham. . ._ best-known bend it like beckham... ., ., ., beckham. .. no-one can cross a ball or bend _ beckham. .. no-one can cross a ball or bend it _ beckham. .. no-one can cross a ball or bend it like _ beckham. .. no-one can cross a ball or bend it like beckham. . ball or bend it like beckham. to him or recent musical drama blinded by the light. 5m? to him or recent musical drama blinded by the light.— blinded by the light. stay away from the girls! _ blinded by the light. stay away from the girls! she _ blinded by the light. stay away from the girls! she has - blinded by the light. stay away| from the girls! she has brought the screen _ from the girls! she has brought the screen to _ from the girls! she has brought the screen to life _ from the girls! she has brought the screen to life with - the screen to life with authentic stories using appealing actors, music... she's a lady!— she's a lady! and humour! portraying _ she's a lady! and humour! portraying british - she's a lady! and humour! portraying british asian i she's a lady! and humour! i portraying british asian life. the asian experience in the uk has long been herfocus. born in nairobi, gurinder chadha came to the uk as a young child and grew up in southbourne west london, home to a big asian community. i london, home to a big asian community-— community. i still have the best kebabs _ community. i still have the best kebabs -- _ community. i still have the i

best kebabs -- southbourne best kebabs —— southbourne still has the best kebabs anywhere there in london and the sikh temples are there and i do, you know, it's where i grew up, really, it's where all of my films are shot. she began her career _ of my films are shot. she began her career as — of my films are shot. she began her career as a _ of my films are shot. she began her career as a broadcast - her career as a broadcast journalist. in 1989 she made the first of several documentaries called i'm british, but.... it showed the new generation of young asians in the uk. i new generation of young asians in the uk. , , , new generation of young asians in the uk. , i, in the uk. i see myself as british, — in the uk. i see myself as british, may _ in the uk. i see myself as british, may be, - in the uk. i see myself as british, may be, well, - in the uk. i see myself as l british, may be, well, well, in the uk. i see myself as . british, may be, well, well, i suppose. british, may be, well, well, i summe— british, may be, well, well, i su ose, �* ., , ., ., suppose. i've always wanted to meet gurinder _ suppose. i've always wanted to meet gurinder chadha. - suppose. i've always wanted to meet gurinder chadha. her- meet gurinder chadha. her movies have made me laugh and cry. as a person, she isjust like herfilms, warm, open, funny, optimistic and generous. she invited me into her london home and we spent the better part of a day delving into her films and discussing what makes her tick as a filmmaker.- her tick as a filmmaker. moving on u! her tick as a filmmaker. moving on up! move — her tick as a filmmaker. moving on up! move on _ her tick as a filmmaker. moving on up! move on up. _ her tick as a filmmaker. moving on up! move on up. hello - her tick as a filmmaker. moving on up! move on up. hello and l on up! move on up. hello and welcome _ on up! move on up. hello and welcome to — on up! move on up. hello and welcome to talking _ on up! move on up. hello and welcome to talking movies, l on up! move on up. hello and l welcome to talking movies, i'm tom brook. today i'm in london in soho still to some extent the heart of the uk film and tv industry to bring you an

interview with british asian filmmaker gurinder chadha. too often in the past, her accomplishments have been fun but she's been a major force accomplishments have been fun but she's been a majorforce in modern british cinema. in fact, she's the most prolific e—mail filmmaker in the uk today. this year marks the 20th anniversary of bend it like beckham, her most successful film. it became a real international hit. and it has the distinction of being the only western made film ever to be shown on north korean television. to be shown on north korean television-— television. joining a girls team. bend _ television. joining a girls team. bend it _ television. joining a girls team. bend it like - television. joining a girls - team. bend it like beckham is the story of — team. bend it like beckham is the story of jess, _ team. bend it like beckham is the story ofjess, an _ the story ofjess, an 18—year—old played by minter nagra from a traditional nairobi family.- nagra from a traditional nairobi family. -- pun'abi. lu:o nairobi family. -- pun'abi. luge s. i nairobi family. -- pun'abi. lugo b. wants * nairobi family. -- pun'abi. lugo b. wants to fl nairobi family. -- pun'abi. lugo b. wants to play]- nairobi family. -- punjabi. - lugo b. wants to play football much to the — lugo b. wants to play football much to the may _ lugo b. wants to play football much to the may of _ lugo b. wants to play football much to the may of her - lugo b. wants to play football l much to the may of her parents. that's it! no more football. i wanted to learn full punjabi dinner. wanted to learn full pun'abi dinner. ~ ., ., ~ dinner. metred vegetarian. at that! doors. _ dinner. metred vegetarian. at that! doors, portrayed - dinner. metred vegetarian. at that! doors, portrayed by- dinner. metred vegetarian. at | that! doors, portrayed by keira knightley--- — that! doors, portrayed by keira knightley... hello! _ that! doors, portrayed by keira knightley... hello! place- that! doors, portrayed by keira knightley... hello! place for. that! doors, portrayed by keira knightley. .. hello! place for a l knightley... hello! place for a local amateur _ knightley... hello! place for a local amateur football - knightley... hello! place for a local amateur football team i knightley. .. hello! place for a l local amateur football team and takes note ofjess's talent and

befriends her. takes note of jess's talent and befriends her.— takes note of jess's talent and befriends her. come along and have a trial. _ befriends her. come along and have a trial. trial? _ befriends her. come along and have a trial. trial? do - befriends her. come along and have a trial. trial? do you - have a trial. trial? do you think i'm _ have a trial. trial? do you think i'm good _ have a trial. trial? do you think i'm good enough? l have a trial. trial? do you - think i'm good enough? is this ubeat think i'm good enough? is this upbeat comedy _ think i'm good enough? is this upbeat comedy progresses, i think i'm good enough? is this upbeat comedy progresses, it| upbeat comedy progresses, it deals with a host of issues. indian girls are not supposed to play football.— indian girls are not supposed to play football. one to raise, prejudice. _ to play football. one to raise, prejudice, class, _ to play football. one to raise, prejudice, class, gender- to play football. one to raise, prejudice, class, gender and l prejudice, class, gender and sexuality. prejudice, class, genderand sexuality. b, prejudice, class, gender and sexuality-— sexuality. a lesbian is not that big of _ sexuality. a lesbian is not that big of a _ sexuality. a lesbian is not that big of a deal. - sexuality. a lesbian is not that big of a deal. oh, i sexuality. a lesbian is not| that big of a deal. oh, no! sexuality. a lesbian is not i that big of a deal. oh, no! in many ways — that big of a deal. oh, no! in many ways it _ that big of a deal. oh, no! in many ways it was _ that big of a deal. oh, no! in many ways it was a - that big of a deal. oh, no! in many ways it was a film i that big of a deal. oh, no! in. many ways it was a film ahead of its time. it many ways it was a film ahead of its time-— of its time. it has taken me away from _ of its time. it has taken me away from everything i i of its time. it has taken me l away from everything i know. like beckham is easily the highest grossing football film in history. highest grossing football film in histo . highest grossing football film in history. {lit} welcome to in history. cut! welcome to talkini in history. cut! welcome to talking movies. _ in history. cut! welcome to talking movies. i _ in history. (sufi welcome to talking movies. i don't have in history. (shift welcome to talking movies. i don't have to tell you it is the 20th anniversary of bend it like beckham and people do view that movie that you made is really being a landmark pick. why do you think that is? what people say to you about its —— picture. say to you about its -- picture-— say to you about its -- picture. people are very effusive. _ picture. people are very effusive, full _ picture. people are very effusive, full of - picture. people are very| effusive, full of affection picture. people are very i effusive, full of affection for it, because it meant a lot of things to a lot of people for a

lot of different reasons. i was -- they've — lot of different reasons. i was -- they've never _ lot of different reasons. i was -- they've never wanted i lot of different reasons. i was -- they've never wanted me i lot of different reasons. i was i -- they've never wanted me to —— they've never wanted me to play— —— they've never wanted me to play but — —— they've never wanted me to play but i — —— they've never wanted me to play but i don't take no for an answeh — play but i don't take no for an answer. it— play but i don't take no for an answer. ., , play but i don't take no for an answer. . , ,., ., answer. it was empowering an alliiator answer. it was empowering an alligator element... _ answer. it was empowering an alligator element... i - answer. it was empowering an alligator element... i have i answer. it was empowering an alligator element... i have not told anyone- _ alligator element... i have not told anyone. you _ alligator element... i have not told anyone. you are - alligator element... i have not told anyone. you are indian. l alligator element... i have notj told anyone. you are indian. it is about race... _ told anyone. you are indian. it is about race... this _ told anyone. you are indian. it is about race... this is - told anyone. you are indian. it is about race... this is jess. i is about race... this is jess. it is rrot _ is about race... this is jess. it is not being _ is about race... this is jess. it is not being part - is about race... this is jess. it is not being part of i is about race... this is jess. it is not being part of a i it is not being part of a diaspora. it is not being part of a diaspora-_ it is not being part of a diasora., , , . ., diaspora. jess? is that indian? it's really _ diaspora. jess? is that indian? it's really just _ diaspora. jess? is that indian? it's reallyjust random. -- i it's reallyjust random. -- jesminder- _ it's reallyjust random. -- jesminder. it _ it's reallyjust random. » jesminder. it appealed to people and diaspora around the world. ., ~' ., people and diaspora around the world. ., ~ ., ., ., , world. you know how hard it is for our children _ world. you know how hard it is for our children here. - world. you know how hard it is for our children here. in i for our children here. in addition _ for our children here. in addition to that, it came out just after 9/11 and i think the world was sort of in freefall. you know, people were sort of worried about how we people going to live together and be together and then this innocent film comes along, inviting you into the home of a sort of british sikh family, you know? and you realise after a few laughs that actually, they're very similar to your own family. very similar to your own famil . ,., ,. very similar to your own family-— very similar to your own famil. . , . very similar to your own famil. ., , ., ., family. do you really want to be the one — family. do you really want to be the one that _ family. do you really want to be the one that everyone i family. do you really want to i be the one that everyone stares

at? every— be the one that everyone stares at? every family do because you married — at? every family do because you married an — at? every family do because you married an english bloke. it is not thought — married an english bloke. it is not thought of _ married an english bloke. it 3 not thought of hitting you on the head kind of movie, it's a very subversive movie about racism and tolerance. i'zre racism and tolerance. i've never complained. - racism and tolerance. i've never complained. and i racism and tolerance. i'vel never complained. and the effects of _ never complained. and the effects of racism _ never complained. and the effects of racism on - never complained. and the effects of racism on one i effects of racism on one generation. effects of racism on one generation-— effects of racism on one ieneration. _, ., , generation. on the contrary, i vowed that — generation. on the contrary, i vowed that i _ generation. on the contrary, i vowed that i will _ generation. on the contrary, i vowed that i will never - generation. on the contrary, i vowed that i will never play i vowed that i will never play again _ vowed that i will never play a . ain. �* vowed that i will never play aiain. �* ., ., vowed that i will never play aiain. ., ., ., ., again. and how one generation has to accept — again. and how one generation has to accept that, _ again. and how one generation l has to accept that, acknowledge that but then find their own way. that but then find their own wa . �* that but then find their own wa , �* . ., ., that but then find their own wa . �* .. ., , ., way. and if i cannot tell you what i want _ way. and if i cannot tell you what i want now _ way. and if i cannot tell you what i want now that i i way. and if i cannot tell you what i want now that i will i what i want now that i will never be _ what i want now that i will never be happy— what i want now that i will never be happy whatever. what i want now that i will never be happy whatever i what i want now that i will i never be happy whatever i do. there's— never be happy whatever i do. there's not _ never be happy whatever i do. there's not a _ never be happy whatever i do. there's not a lot _ never be happy whatever i do. there's not a lot of _ never be happy whatever i do. there's not a lot of films - never be happy whatever i do. there's not a lot of films thatl there's not a lot of films that do that! we all are not definitely doing that at the time! i think it was a of fresh air. if all of the relatives can look at the acting and play natural and not smile at the camera. �* ., natural and not smile at the camera. ~ ., ., i. natural and not smile at the camera. ~ ., ., camera. and what for you was the spark _ camera. and what for you was the spark that _ camera. and what for you was the spark that really _ camera. and what for you was the spark that really got i camera. and what for you was the spark that really got bend| the spark that really got bend it like beckham going as a narrative in your mind? it happened was in britain, football or soccer, you know, was very much a male domain. it

was very much a male domain. it was very much a male domain. it was very aggressive, it was associated with the right wing in terms of the national front and the use of the union black, you know, the british flag was sort of thing is the right and it was all football hooliganism as we called it, always fights on the terraces. and then, ian wright, one of our black players, after an england match ran onto the pitch with the union jack. ran onto the pitch with the unionjack. and that ran onto the pitch with the union jack. and that was such an arresting image for me. i mean, in that one moment, things changed for me. and i saw a different britain on the tv. and i wanted to run without. i to run with tv. and i wanted to run without. ito run with a different britain, with my britain. it was time for my britain. it was time for my britain to come, to be seen. although it is about football and soccer, it's really more about this sort of social changes at the time. not only that, there was this real idea

of girl power at the time with the spice girls. and female empowerment was coming up. and i also wanted to be part of that. ., ~' ., i also wanted to be part of that. ., ~ ., i. i also wanted to be part of that. ., ~ ., ., , that. you know, you had been able to move _ that. you know, you had been able to move forward - that. you know, you had been able to move forward in i that. you know, you had been able to move forward in your. able to move forward in your career by being very determined and being very feisty. where does that come from?- and being very feisty. where does that come from? when i was about 16, at _ does that come from? when i was about 16, at school _ does that come from? when i was about 16, at school i _ does that come from? when i was about 16, at school i had - about 16, at school i had wanted to go to university and actually wanted to study what we called development economics and geography at the time because geography was my favourite subject. and i went to the careers office and said this is what i want to do, i want to go to university and she looked at me and said that you think you should apply to secretarial college? and i was like why would i want to be a secretary? and she said the world needs good secretaries. and ijust... in that moment, without careers teacher, i just

thought you don't know me and you don't get me and how dare you. i could not say any of that and i did not know how to articulate any of that but that was the fire in me that said you have no expectation of me and my ambition and what i want and my ambition and what i want and i'm going to show you. and i think that was it. from that moment, i am i think that was it. from that moment, iam nevertaking no for an answer. and i keep pushing and i still push, you know? i could have a much easier life if ijust went know? i could have a much easier life if i just went to america and directed the scripts that i get sent, you know? but i keep pushing the envelope to represent, you know, represent people that look like me and represent ideas and values from, you know, a perspective that is different. know, a perspective that is different-— different. you want a clean-shaven - different. you want a clean-shaven boy i different. you want a | clean-shaven boy like different. you want a i clean-shaven boy like your clean—shaven boy like your sister? _ clean—shaven boy like your sister? 0rasic clean—shaven boy like your sister? 0r asic with a full heard _ sister? 0r asic with a full beard and a turban? sister? or asic with a full beard and a turban? after that

comment. _ beard and a turban? after that comment, right, _ beard and a turban? after that comment, right, you - beard and a turban? after that comment, right, you basically| comment, right, you basically gave — comment, right, you basically gave a — comment, right, you basically gave a filthy— comment, right, you basically gave a filthy look— comment, right, you basically gave a filthy look to the - gave a filthy look to the camera _ gave a filthy look to the camera and _ gave a filthy look to the camera and walk- gave a filthy look to the camera and walk back. gave a filthy look to the i camera and walk back —— a gave a filthy look to the - camera and walk back —— a full sikh _ camera and walk back -- a full sikh. ~ ., ., , camera and walk back -- a full sikh. ~ ., .,, ., sikh. what does it say about the film industry _ sikh. what does it say about the film industry when i sikh. what does it say about the film industry when you i sikh. what does it say about i the film industry when you look at bend it like beckham but keira knightley went on to become a breakout star? jess? but the other _ become a breakout star? jess? but the other lead _ become a breakout star? jess? but the other lead in _ become a breakout star? jess? but the other lead in the i become a breakout star? jess? but the other lead in the film i but the other lead in the film didn't? i but the other lead in the film didn't? ~' but the other lead in the film didn't? ~ _ , didn't? i think it says everything _ didn't? i think it says everything you i didn't? i think it says everything you need | didn't? i think it says i everything you need to didn't? i think it says - everything you need to know about our industry. you know, kira was bankable. sojerry, cast her in the pirates of the caribbean series.— caribbean series. pirate or not, this — caribbean series. pirate or not, this man _ caribbean series. pirate or not, this man saved i caribbean series. pirate or not, this man saved my i caribbean series. pirate or i not, this man saved my life. parminder— not, this man saved my life. parminder did get some offers, john wells contacted me and asked me about her as a possible doctor in er, you know, so she immediately got the la break and joined the cast of er. so she had success too but it's a shame that hollywood did not acknowledge that she could be a leading lady in the same way. and that is because asian leaders are not seen as bankable, still to this day, i think that's true.

what do you say, dad? don't -la what do you say, dad? don't play with _ what do you say, dad? don't play with your _ what do you say, dad? don't play with your future. - what do you say, dad? don't play with your future. did i what do you say, dad? don't| play with your future. did you feel that with _ play with your future. did you feel that with bend _ play with your future. did you feel that with bend it - play with your future. did you feel that with bend it like i feel that with bend it like beckham your father and your relationship with your father was somehow manifested in the film? ., was somehow manifested in the film? . ,, film? that is probably the core ofthe film? that is probably the core of the film _ film? that is probably the core of the film and _ film? that is probably the core of the film and if _ film? that is probably the core of the film and if you're - film? that is probably the core of the film and if you're going l of the film and if you're going to cry watching that film, you will cry because of that. make me proud- — will cry because of that. make me proud- i— will cry because of that. make me proud. i had _ will cry because of that. make me proud. i hadjust- will cry because of that. make me proud. i hadjust lost- will cry because of that. make me proud. i had just lost my i me proud. i had 'ust lost my father, me proud. i had 'ust lost my father. just _ me proud. i hadjust lost my father, just before _ me proud. i hadjust lost my father, just before making i me proud. i had just lost my i father, just before making the film, and now when i look back at the film, its so emotional and it's made by somebody who is grieving. it is a film made in grief, you know? and i know that from my own, the way i've made films since. he that from my own, the way i've made films since.— that from my own, the way i've made films since. he 'ust looks and then he... i made films since. he 'ust looks and then he... what i made films since. he just looks and then he... what i - made films since. he just looks and then he... what i was i and then he... what i was exoloring _ and then he... what i was exploring was _ and then he... what i was exploring was exactly i and then he... what i was exploring was exactly the | and then he... what i was i exploring was exactly the pain that my father's generation had been through in order for that my father's generation had been through in orderfor me that my father's generation had been through in order for me to been through in order for me to be standing there at that moment, shooting a movie. she will only end _ moment, shooting a movie. she will only end up _ moment, shooting a movie. she will only end up disappointed like me _ will only end up disappointed like me. my will only end up disappointed like me. p ., will only end up disappointed like me. p . , ., like me. my dad first came to britain, like me. my dad first came to

britain. he — like me. my dad first came to britain, he for _ like me. my dad first came to britain, he for barclays i like me. my dad first came to britain, he for barclays bank| britain, he for barclays bank in kenya and when he came to england, in the 60s with a turban and a beard, he had said, you know, i'm going to go to barclays and he went to the barclays bank in southall and they absolutely laughed their heads off when he went in and said do you honestly think we're ever going to have someone that looks you with a beard and a turban work in our bank? and they literally threw him out of the bank and then he ended up cutting his hair and became a postman.- ended up cutting his hair and became a postman. when i was a teenaier became a postman. when i was a teenager in _ became a postman. when i was a teenager in nairobi, _ became a postman. when i was a teenager in nairobi, i _ became a postman. when i was a teenager in nairobi, i was - became a postman. when i was a teenager in nairobi, i was the i teenager in nairobi, i was the best_ teenager in nairobi, i was the best fast— teenager in nairobi, i was the best fast bowler in our school. and i— best fast bowler in our school. and i took_ best fast bowler in our school. and i took that story and made it about the east african cricket club in the movie. when i came cricket club in the movie. when i came to _ cricket club in the movie. when i came to this — cricket club in the movie. when i came to this country, - i came to this country, nothing _ i came to this country, nothing. i was not allowed to play — nothing. i was not allowed to play on — nothing. i was not allowed to play on any of the teams and clubhouses made fun of my turban— clubhouses made fun of my turban and sent me of packing. it is turban and sent me of packing. it is the — turban and sent me of packing. it is the true story of what happened with my father and there for at the very end when finally she says i have this

opportunity, i want to go and her dad makes his big speech. who suffered? me. i cannot hold you back. that was my time, i suffered because i lived in fear. i suffered because i lived in fear. ., �* suffered because i lived in fear. . ., suffered because i lived in fear. ., ., fear. i don't want her to make the same _ fear. i don't want her to make the same mistakes _ fear. i don't want her to make the same mistakes her i fear. i don't want her to make the same mistakes her father| the same mistakes her father made — the same mistakes her father made of— the same mistakes her father made of accepting life and situations. it made of accepting life and situations.— made of accepting life and situations. , ., ., situations. it is wrong for me to ut situations. it is wrong for me to put that — situations. it is wrong for me to put that fear _ situations. it is wrong for me to put that fear on _ situations. it is wrong for me to put that fear on you i situations. it is wrong for me to put that fear on you and i situations. it is wrong for me i to put that fear on you and you have to go out and make your own life and follow your own opportunities.— opportunities. and that is hu . el opportunities. and that is hugely emotional - opportunities. and that is| hugely emotional because opportunities. and that is i hugely emotional because that is about healing. racism. and thatis is about healing. racism. and that is about healing prejudice. i that is about healing prejudice.— that is about healing prejudice. that is about healing re'udice. . , prejudice. i have seen her .la , prejudice. i have seen her play. she _ prejudice. i have seen her play. she is _ prejudice. i have seen her play, she is brilliant. - prejudice. i have seen her play, she is brilliant. you| play, she is brilliant. you cannot step _ play, she is brilliant. you cannot stop your - play, she is brilliant. you cannot stop your life - play, she is brilliant. you cannot stop your life if i play, she is brilliant. you | cannot stop your life if you live in an unfair world. you have to keep pushing forward. i don't think anyone has the right to stop it.— right to stop it. you push forward _ right to stop it. you push forward not _ right to stop it. you push forward not only - right to stop it. you push forward not only for- right to stop it. you push i forward not only for yourself but for everyone else. and that is why bend it like beckham is such an important film because it takes me in my community and

my world and my britishness and my world and my britishness and my asian nurse and everything into a masses fear that has changed and influenced and been important to so many people around the world. over her 30 year career she has been a real powerhouse but in shorts, documentaries, tv programmes and tv series and memorable vibrant feature films. from pride and prejudice, a bollywood style version of jane austen's pride and prejudice. only you could love me and insult me at the same time. to her first feature in 1993. so - her first feature in 1993. so what if she _ her first feature in 1993. sr what if she is pregnant, so what if she is pregnant, so what if she is pregnant, so what if the father is black. which, with all its great characters i really loved. have a female fun _ characters i really loved. have a female fun time. _ characters i really loved. have a female fun time. it - characters i really loved. have a female fun time. it follows l a female fun time. it follows three generations _ a female fun time. it follows three generations of- a female fun time. it follows three generations of asian . three generations of asian women on a day trip to blackpool. a bit intimidating

at first. you did not have much experience as a feature film director. , ,., , director. everybody will tell ou director. everybody will tell you their — director. everybody will tell you their first _ director. everybody will tell you their first film - director. everybody will tell you their first film is - director. everybody will tell you their first film is a - you their first film is a complete baptism by fire. it is a nightmare. my films are always, from by geon, i always think about the community and moving the community forward while, at the same time, you know, i still have to protect my community. sol know, i still have to protect my community. so i am always trying to include things for them and us, them and us, them and us, you know? and this all comes about from being one of the few asian women making films in britain today. that i am able to show these nuances in these cultural moments that go over a lot of people's heads. they are of tremendous value to me and they are not necessarily considered by a lot of other people because they do

not know. maybe in years to come, who knows. but at the moment, you know, while i am working ifind that moment, you know, while i am working i find that people do not always value what i do and ultimately, i guess, not always value what i do and ultimately, iguess, i not always value what i do and ultimately, i guess, iam aiming towards changing our world into being more tolerant and more understanding and more inclusive and more appreciative of the massive contribution of people who look and talk and feel different to you. it is feel different to you. it is interesting _ feel different to you. it is interesting that - feel different to you. it is interesting that you - feel different to you. it is interesting that you mention that because you're films do deal with racism and prejudice and during the time which you have been making films those problems have not gone away and people would say in some respects have gotten worse. so is there a limit, do you think, to what cinema can achieve in terms of changing people's minds? 1 terms of changing people's minds? ., ., ~' terms of changing people's minds? ., ., ,, ., minds? i also talk about gender and homosexuality _ and homosexuality in female empowerment. it is everything.

and i think that things have changed. i think they are changing. 1 changed. i think they are changing-— changed. i think they are chanarin. ., ., ., changed. ithink they are chanarin. . . ., ., changing. i am hanging down on one camera... _ changing. i am hanging down on one camera... . _ changing. i am hanging down on one camera... . the _ changing. i am hanging down on one camera... . the success - changing. i am hanging down on one camera... . the success of. one camera... . the success of my film — one camera... . the success of my film and — one camera... . the success of my film and the _ one camera... . the success of my film and the fact _ one camera... . the success of my film and the fact that - my film and the fact that everyone talks about 20 years later as a massive indication of how things are changing. there is still an awfully long way to go but i am now seeing lots of credits of women and women of colour on—screen. and while there is always room for improvement i think it is important to acknowledge that we can make a change and we have made a change.- we can make a change and we have made a change. how wedded are ou to have made a change. how wedded are you to being — have made a change. how wedded are you to being part _ have made a change. how wedded are you to being part of— are you to being part of british cinema? early in your career did you feel the pull of america to take you to a new land where there would perhaps be bigger opportunities? ianthem land where there would perhaps be bigger opportunities? when i had success _ be bigger opportunities? when i had success in _ be bigger opportunities? when i had success in america - be bigger opportunities? when i had success in america i - be bigger opportunities? when i had success in america i did - had success in america i did get offered a lot of american movies but at that time i did not quite know how to relate to them and i met paul by then,.

your husband. paul my husband, yes. and then i decided, well, if i want to make a film in america when i make my own film and with paul we rode our movie which was a very british film about los angeles. no—one knows it was me who made it. it is on every year on television, about four families every year on television, about fourfamilies in los angeles who celebrate thanksgiving over the weekend. she who celebrate thanksgiving over the weekend.— the weekend. she is the daddy and i am the — the weekend. she is the daddy and i am the alcoholic - the weekend. she is the daddy and i am the alcoholic cult - and i am the alcoholic cult worshipping is a tannic stepmother.— worshipping is a tannic stepmother. worshipping is a tannic ste - mother. ., ., , stepmother. the idea was i wanted to _ stepmother. the idea was i wanted to make _ stepmother. the idea was i wanted to make a - stepmother. the idea was i wanted to make a film - stepmother. the idea was i l wanted to make a film about stepmother. the idea was i - wanted to make a film about los angeles that i was seeing around me. not the one that was on the big screen. for me, going to la i was blown away by the different communities there. ~ , ., ., the different communities there. , ., ., there. why do you want to make there. why do you want to make the turkey _ there. why do you want to make the turkey taste _ there. why do you want to make the turkey taste like _ the turkey taste like everything else? the turkey taste like eve hinr else? ., everything else? not when you see them on-screen. _ everything else? not when you see them on-screen. and - everything else? not when you | see them on-screen. and hence everything else? not when you i see them on-screen. and hence i see them on—screen. and hence i took my values from britain to la and made what's meant cooking?—

la and made what's meant cookin: ? a, ., ., , cooking? moving a more sobering reali . cooking? moving a more sobering reality- how _ cooking? moving a more sobering reality. how did _ cooking? moving a more sobering reality. how did the _ cooking? moving a more sobering reality. how did the pandemic - reality. how did the pandemic affect you as a filmmaker and a storyteller? do you think it has changed you? for storyteller? do you think it has changed you?- storyteller? do you think it has changed you? for me the pandemic _ has changed you? for me the pandemic was _ has changed you? for me the pandemic was a _ has changed you? for me the pandemic was a game - has changed you? for me the | pandemic was a game changer because it made me sit back and really think about what is my purpose and why do i want to make films and you better believe that whatever film you choose to make it should have some impact. choose to make it should have some impact-— some impact. you always fill me! before _ some impact. you always fill me! before i— some impact. you always fill me! before i was _ some impact. you always fill me! before i was quiet, - some impact. you always fill me! before i was quiet, i- some impact. you always fill. me! before i was quiet, i used to ush me! before i was quiet, i used to push myself— me! before i was quiet, i used to push myself a _ me! before i was quiet, i used to push myself a lot. - me! before i was quiet, i used to push myself a lot. post - to push myself a lot. post lockdown i calmed down. i stopped being quite so... driven, if you like. i said, stopped being quite so... driven, if you like. isaid, i accepted actually, a lot more of what will happen will happen. and i think that was the lesson of lockdown because we were not really in control

so the lesson was to let go and let go of the stress of trying to compete or get your projects made to the point where you get really stressed and just accept that things will happen the way they are going to happen. iudhen they are going to happen. when ou think they are going to happen. when you think about _ they are going to happen. when you think about your _ they are going to happen. when you think about your work - you think about your work nowadays are you just as enthusiastic about making a film as you were when you did bend it like beckham 20 years ago? 1 bend it like beckham 20 years aro? . bend it like beckham 20 years a i o? ., ., bend it like beckham 20 years aro? ., ., . ., ., ago? i have not changed. i am still incredibly _ ago? i have not changed. i am still incredibly motivated - ago? i have not changed. i am still incredibly motivated to i still incredibly motivated to push that envelope. that is how i see it. i am very keen to get backin i see it. i am very keen to get back in the director's chair because i miss it. it is a bar is to keep trying to shift people's perceptions and to make people understand the vagaries of culture and

understand the damage that racism and prejudice do. for me... and also female empowerment. we're still not out the woods on that. so i am still very keen to make sure that my films have great female roles and that i show the world from my perspective. because sadly it is still a very underrepresented world. when ou think underrepresented world. when you think back— underrepresented world. when you think back on _ underrepresented world. when you think back on your - underrepresented world. when you think back on your life i underrepresented world. when you think back on your life and | you think back on your life and career, what are you most proud of? 1 career, what are you most proud of? ., ., , , ., career, what are you most proud of? ., , ., ., of? i am most proud of the fact that i have _ of? i am most proud of the fact that i have made _ of? i am most proud of the fact that i have made a _ of? i am most proud of the fact that i have made a difference. l that i have made a difference. to the lives of people. whether it is a very small thing with someonejust it is a very small thing with someone just appreciating it personally or in a bigger level. ~ , ., ., level. will you ever retire, do ou level. will you ever retire, do you think? — level. will you ever retire, do you think? i _ level. will you ever retire, do you think? i hope _ level. will you ever retire, do you think? i hope that - level. will you ever retire, do you think? i hope that i i level. will you ever retire, do you think? i hope that i get i you think? i hope that i get carried offset. _ you think? i hope that i get carried offset. that - you think? i hope that i get carried offset. that i i you think? i hope that i get carried offset. that i have l carried offset. that i have killed over going cut! do it again, something like that. i do not plan to retire. i don't think you can when you are creative, you never retire. the

fact that people still talk about my work as being relevant even though it was made a generation ago is gratifying because it means that i did move the dial a little bit, i moved that needle, i did make a change and i cannot stop. i must keep going because that needle may have gone like that only to reach here.— only to reach here. thank you for talking — only to reach here. thank you for talking to _ only to reach here. thank you for talking to talking - only to reach here. thank you for talking to talking movies. | classical music plays everybody cheers

hello there. a ridge of high pressure on friday brought a cold and frosty start, but a beautiful day right across the country, hardly a cloud in the sky for many. and temperatures did recover to highs ofjust under iii degrees in swanage in dorset. there's the clear skies. but it is all change as we move into the weekend, the satellite picture showing this area of low pressure, the isobars tightly squeezed around it, and it is going to throw yet more cloud, wind and rain in our direction. ahead of it we will see those temperatures falling away, but as the night progresses, cloud will continue to build and the rain arrives so here not quite as cold. but it does mean sheltered, rural parts of eastern scotland once again could see a touch

of frost and low single figures across eastern areas. that is where the best of the morning sunshine is likely to be on saturday. but the cloud, wind and rain will continue to push in from the west, and that is going to gradually spread its way steadily eastward. by the middle part of afternoon, it will be sitting across scotland, down through the spine of the country and it will weaken a little bit, but it's certainly going to be cloudy with outbreaks of rain around. blustery winds as that rain pushes through. the best of the brighter weather through northern ireland, northern england and the bulk of scotland. in terms of the feel of the weather, similar temperatures to the last couple of days, about where they should be for the time of year, 10—14 degrees. but it does mean if you have plans for bonfire night, if we draw a line really from, let's say south—east england through the wash, down to the isle of wight, anywhere south and east of that could be rather cloudy with outbreaks of light, patchy rain. and we could see that the rain pep up through the south—east into the early hours of sunday morning and lingerfor a time. but whatever happens on sunday, low pressure not too far away, and it will throw in bands

of rain or showers which may well merge together for longer spells of rain for a time on sunday. so be prepared for a little bit of everything for the second half of the weekend. there will be some drier, brighter interludes and those temperatures similar values, 11—14 celsius. now as we move out of sunday into monday and tuesday, it stays blustery with plenty of showers around. but the winds turning more southerly so it will be just a degree or so milder. that's it — whatever you're doing, have a lovely weekend.

welcome to bbc news. i'm rich preston. our top stories: elon musk defends his decision to sack thousands of staff at twitter without warning. the american billionaire claims the cuts are essential for the future of the platform. elon musk made it clear when he bought twitter last friday that big changes were coming.

twitter�*s regarded as influential but it hasn't made