Since police drama DI Ray's release onto our screens earlier this week, viewers have been unable to wrap their heads around the fact that it has been two whole decades since Parminder Nagra, who plays the determined DI Rachita Ray, quite literally changed the world with her lead role in Bend It Like Beckham. The empowering film followed Jess Bhamra as she stood up to her conservative parents to follow her heart and play football - something which they did not approve of.
Despite the film having a low budget, it is now viewed as something of a classic, and raked in a whopping £60million at the box office, The Mirror reports. It remains the highest grossing sports film to focus on association football, 20 years later.
Nagra, who was 26 years old when she starred in the iconic film alongside Kiera Knightley, was not too fussed on football before she landed the lead role. After successfully auditioning, Nagra was put through an intensive 10-week coaching course which saw her learning how to curve a football through the air to replicate David Beckham's enviable free kick ability.
