Inspired by a true tale, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT tells the story of Javed: a young Luton man with a love of Bruce Springsteen!
Set amidst the racial and economic turmoil of the 80’s, a British Pakistani teenager begins to write poetry as a means to escape but when a classmate introduces him to the music of “The Boss”, Javed sees parallels to his own working-class life in the lyrics and becomes obsessed.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT stars Kulvinder Ghir, Rob Brydon, Viveik Kalra and Hayley Atwell, and has been directed by “Bend It Like Beckham’s” Gurinder Chadha.
Chadha told me that after meeting Springsteen at a red-carpet event in 2010, she pitched the idea of the film to him and asked if they could use his music:
Writer Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir – Greetings from Bury Park – was the inspiration behind BLINDED BY THE LIGHT and after Springsteen agreed, he spent several years putting together a script that would impress the music legend.
Manzoor credited albums like Born to Run and Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ with changing his life during some typically angst-ridden teenage years. The title of the film , BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, is taken from the opening track of the same name, which appears on Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ.
A prominent print journalist for more than twenty years with work regularly appearing in, among others, The Guardian, The Times, Sunday Times Magazine and The New York Times, during the course of his journalism career, Manzoor has interviewed such celebrities as Dolly Parton, Mike Tyson, Woody Allen and Little Richard.
I had the chance to interview the interviewer alongside the actor who plays the character based on him in the film, Viveik Kalra:
Springsteen die-hard fans will LOVE BLINDED BY THE LIGHT as it has brilliantly captured the spirit of what makes “The Boss’” music and lyrics so loved and Springsteen’s words almost magically and effortlessly enhance Javed’s story.
Even those, like me, who simply appreciate the music and love a good film will love this coming of age tale.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT gets ★★★★★
Don’t forget you can keep up-to-date on all things Nova over on our Instagram page – follow us for all the craziness of radio life coupled with news, sports and LOTS of cool competitions! Click here
