5 Upcoming Shows/Movies with South Asian Female Leads - Save the Dates!

Mark your diaries! 5 TV shows and Movies coming out THIS SUMMER with South Asian Female leads!

Design by Priya Pankhania

1. Never Have I Ever: Season 2 – July 2021

It’s been confirmed! The highly anticipated season 2 to Mindy Kaling’s hit show ‘Never Have I Ever’ is set to be released this summer. Although no official date has been announced, fans will be excited for its return over the summer and some answers (hopefully) for the things left unsaid in the previous season.

2. Gangabai Kathiawadi – 30th July 2021 (US Release)

For those of you Bollywood fans out there, Alia Bhatt is set to come back to the big screen in the upcoming film ‘Gangabai Kathiawadi’. The film follows the real life story of its namesake, who after being sold into prostitution became the owner of the brothel and the only sex worker to ever own a Bentley. She was extremely influentional in the city and deeply involved in the underground life of it. However, she also was a strong advocate for the rights of sex workers and reportedly, even urged Jawaharlal Nehru to address their hardships. The film celebrates the ‘rags to riches’ story of a simple girl and how she learned to carve her path in life with the cards she was delt.

3. Ms. Marvel – Late 2021

We can’t talk about upcoming TV shows without talking about one of the most big-budget shows to feature a South Asian-American girl. With her character set to feature in the Captain Marvel sequel: The Marvels, we can’t wait to meet Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan.

4. The Legend of Maula Jatt – 2021

The biggest-budget move to ever hit the cinemas by the Pakstani film industry, the remake of the 70s classic ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan is set to be released this year. Although originally set to release in 2020, due to the pandemic and other legal issues, the movie had been delayed. The release dates are continually changing – so keep an eye out!

5. We Are Lady Parts – 20th May 2021 (UK) - 3rd June (US)

You can ALREADY enjoy this show! The show follows the life of Amina, a PhD student looking for marriage who LOVES guitar and rock. Her life changes when she collides with a local punk rock band ‘We Are Lady Parts’ looking for a lead guitarist. The comedy show features an all-Muslim female rock band and hilariously tackles Muslim female stereotypes at the same time. All the episodes available to watch on Channel 4 in the UK – so give it a go!

Aleesa Nazeer is a 21 year old Biomedical Science student at the University of Warwick, and Social Campaigns Coordinator at Pardesi. She is originally Pakistani, but has spent her life living in different places around the world, majority being in Hong Kong and Bahrain. Spending so many years not connected with her roots, she is passionate about not only learning more about her cultural history, but how to incorporate her cultural background into being an intersectional feminist.