What is the new Bollywood-inspired version of A Christmas Carol?

The new version is called "Christmas Karma," directed by Gurinder Chadha, and features a Ugandan Asian refugee named Mr Sood as the central character.

How is the Paddington Bear story updated for today?

The latest Paddington story is a musical that updates the original 1958 book, inspired by child evacuees and set in a multicultural London.

Why are classic stories like A Christmas Carol being retold now?

These retellings help keep classic stories alive by connecting them to contemporary issues like immigration and social inequality, allowing for personal interpretation.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Scrooge Meets Bollywood: Classics Get a Global Twist

Scrooge Meets Bollywood: Classics Get a Global Twist

5 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' is reimagined with a Bollywood-inspired film.
A new musical updates Paddington Bear's story for modern audiences.
Contemporary adaptations highlight themes of migration and social inequality.

Scrooge Meets Bollywood: Classics Get a Global Twist

Classic narratives are being revitalized through a global lens, with "A Christmas Carol" receiving a Bollywood-inspired treatment and Paddington Bear starring in a modern musical. These adaptations, such as "Christmas Karma" featuring a Ugandan Asian refugee, reimagine beloved characters for contemporary audiences. The stories now reflect modern themes of migration and the echoes of Victorian social commentary in today's world.

Paddington's latest incarnation offers a wholesome, multicultural vision of London, appealing across the cultural divide with his politeness and eagerness to fit in. While some may question the "rebooting" of national treasures, directors like Gurinder Chadha defend their right to reinterpret classics from unique perspectives, thereby keeping them alive and relevant.