Ameet Chana reflects on the impact of Bend It Like Beckham 21 years after its release, noting how many people have said it inspired them to come out.

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The actor and DJ Ameet Chana, 47, famously known as Adi Ferreira in EastEnders, has charmed us with his love of Metro’s renowned 60 Seconds slot. He stars in Little English, a new movie set in the picturesque area of Slough. Here he talks about why Sly Stallone was his childhood hero, his appreciation for bhangra and how Harrow broadened his outlook…

Welcome to Metro 60 Seconds.

I'm already very familiar! It's always the first thing I read in Metro.

That's great to hear! Alright, tell us about your new film, Little English.

Little English is a comedy-drama set in Slough. It's about a middle-class Punjabi family, who have organized their son's marriage to a young girl from a village in Punjab. On the night of the wedding, he runs away. Thus, this young girl winds up being stuck in his house where she doesn't know anyone and she knows 'little English' - meaning her English isn't that great. The film essentially follows her journey as she discovers her place in this new world.

Who do you portray?

Bobby is simply this nice guy. He's a turban-wearing Sikh from India, who married the older daughter in the family five or six years ago, and essentially became the do-it-all son-in-law.

So, if something needs to be done - the house needs to be decorated, the car needs fixing, someone needs to be taken to the grocery store, Bobby is the go-to guy. His wife is always saying ‘Oh, don't worry – Bobby will do it.’

How about you, are you your family's Mr Fix-It?

My wife would love for me to be! But I'm not that person. Ironically, I come from a family of carpenters and builders, but I'm the first to pick up the phone and get someone else to do the work.

Give us three words that describe you.

I would say I'm a realist. I think I'm funny and I'm a loyal friend.

Do people still mainly identify you from EastEnders?

While UK Gold existed, I always knew when our episodes were on, because you'd suddenly get people on the street recognizing me again. But definitely Bend It Like Beckham still lives with me. It's going to be 21 years old this April. It's amazingly timeless. On the outside, it's about a young Indian girl who wants to play football but, subtly, that film is about anyone who's wanted to do something, who has had obstacles in doing it, pursuing their dream.

It speaks to people on so many different levels across all cultures and languages. And I still get people coming up to me now, saying, ‘You know what, if it wasn't for you and that film, I wouldn't have been able to come out.’ [Chana played the gay best friend]. So, it is a film that will proudly stay with me forever.



(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk)

Ameet with his on-screen siblings Ray Panthaki and Raji James

Are you still in contact with your EastEnders family?

For over two years they became my first family, because for 12 hours a day, for five or six days a week, I saw more of them than my own. And we had the same fun and the same amount of feuds that a real family would have. Just the other day I was talking to Nabil Elouahabi who played Tariq, who ended up being our half-brother, because it was his birthday and he turned 50. And Ray Panthaki, who played my younger brother, Ronny, we're still very much in touch.



Ameet Chana's new movie is the Slough-based comedy-drama Little English. The 47-year-old actor and DJ, also known as Adi Ferreira in EastEnders, has a fondness for Metro's popular 60 Seconds slot. He stars in Little English, a new film set in the cheerful town of Slough. Here he talks about why Sylvester Stallone was a childhood idol, his enthusiasm for bhangra and how Harrow broadened his perspectives...

Welcome to Metro 60 Seconds.

I am already very familiar with it! It's always the first thing I read in Metro.

That's wonderful to hear! Alright, tell us about your new film, Little English.

Little English is a comedy-drama situated in Slough. It's about a middle-class Punjabi family, who have organized their son's wedding to a young lady from a village in Punjab. On the night of the wedding, he runs away. So, this young girl ends up stuck in his house where she doesn't know anyone and she knows 'little English' – implying her English isn't great. The film basically tracks her journey discovering her place in this new world.

Who do you play?

Bobby is just this nice guy. He's a turban-wearing Sikh from India, who married the older daughter in the family five or six years ago, and basically became the fix-it man.

So, if anything needs doing – the house needs decorating, the car needs fixing, someone needs taking to the supermarket, Bobby's the guy. His wife is always saying 'Oh, don't stress – Bobby will do it.'

How about you, are you your family's Mr Fix-It?

My wife would love me to be! But I'm not that guy. Surprisingly, I come from a family of carpenters and builders, yet I'm the first to pick up the phone and get someone else to do the work.

Give us three words that describe you.

I would say I'm a realist. I think I'm funny and I'm a faithful friend.

Do people still mainly recognize you from EastEnders?

While UK Gold existed, I always knew when our episodes were on, since you'd suddenly get people on the street recognizing me again. But most definitely Bend It Like Beckham still lives with me. It will be 21 years old this April. It's magically timeless. On the surface, it's about a young Indian girl who wishes to play football but, subliminally, that film is about anyone who's wanted to do something, who had restrictions in doing it, pursuing their dream.

It speaks to people on so many different levels across all cultures and languages. And I still get people coming up to me now, saying, 'You know what, if it wasn't for you and that movie, I wouldn't have been able to come out.' [Chana played the gay best friend]. So, it is a film that will always remain with me.



Ameet with his on-screen brothers Ray Panthaki and Raji James

Are you still in touch with your EastEnders family?

For over two years they became my first family, because for 12 hours a day, for five or six days a week, I saw more of them than my own. And we had the same fun and the same amount of quarrels that a real family would have. Just the other day I was conversing with Nabil Elouahabi who played Tariq, who ended up being our half-brother, because it was his birthday and he turned 50. And Ray Panthaki, who played my younger brother, Ronny, we're still very much connected.





(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk)

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