Christmas Karma out on OTT in India: Here's where you can stream Gurinder Chadha's musical starring Kunal Nayyar

Christmas Karma Gurinder Chadha’s star-studded musical take on Charles Dickens, is now streaming on Prime Video India. Kunal Nayyar leads this British-Indian twist on the classic Scrooge story.

Christmas Karma

The ambitious holiday musical Christmas Karma by Gurinder Chadha has jumped from the big screen to OTT after a star-studded theatrical run at the end of last year. Prime Video in India launched today, March 11, 2026, with the film's reimagining of Charles Dickens' 1843 classic A Christmas Carol via a modern British-Indian viewpoint.

Who is the creative force behind this modern Scrooge adaptation?

This film, written and directed by Chadha (BAFTA nominee, Bend It Like Beckham fame), transports viewers from the Victorian-era cobblestones of London to the multicultural, dynamic streets of the present-day metropolis. Eshaan Sood, portrayed by Kunal Nayyar, is a rich and disgruntled businessman who acts as the film's "Scrooge" character.

The icy disposition that Sood exhibits has deep historical roots, distinguishing him from the stereotypical miser. The film focuses on his early years as a refugee, having escaped from Uganda during the 1972 expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin. Sood, despite his own history of displacement, has become a man who hates his neighbourhood and ignores the problems of contemporary immigrants, which adds an additional layer of societal criticism to the narrative.

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Which international stars make up the supernatural cast?

Cast members hail from all over the world, and the film embraces Chadha's signature "maximalist" approach. Nayyar, well known for his lead role in The Big Bang Theory plays Sood, the primary character. Among the three other supernatural beings accompanying him is Eva Longoria's Ghost of Christmas Past, who dresses in a style reminiscent of the Mexican Day of the Dead. The flamboyant and high-energy Billy Porter plays the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present. With a chilling and theatrical demeanour, Boy George plays the role of Christmas Yet to Come.

Charithra Chandran (known for her role in Bridgerton) plays Sood's long-lost love interest Bea, while Hugh Bonneville plays the spirit of Jacob Marley. Leo Suter plays Bob Cratchit.

What musical genres define the "Bollywood-inspired" soundtrack?

The full-scale musical Christmas Karma lives up to its "Bollywood-inspired" moniker. Nitin Sawhney, Gary Barlow, and Shaznay Lewis worked together on the soundtrack, which fuses gospel, hip-hop, and classic British pop with traditional Bhangra beats. The goal of the elaborate dance numbers, which include a Christmas party with Bhangra influences, is to unite the Eastern and Western cultures that celebrate Christmas.

The film is a historic collaboration between the United Kingdom and India, produced by Civic Studios and Bend It Films. Using the structure of Dickens' redemption arc, it discusses identity, racism, and the value of community in the aftermath of Brexit while highlighting the common history of the two countries.

How have critics reacted to Christmas Karma's tonal shifts?

Since its late 2025 theatrical debut, the film has garnered mixed reviews. Chadha's "fearless" effort to update a tired tale and include the Ugandan-Asian experience divided critics, with some considering it a mixed bag. Although Nayyar's performance was often hailed as a career highlight, critics pointed out that the transition from dark political history to campy song numbers could be abrupt.

The film has been praised as a watershed moment for South Asian representation in Christmas films, despite mixed reviews. The OTT distribution on Prime Video gives Indian consumers a second chance to enjoy the musical extravaganza in the comfort of their own homes. Christmas Karma is now streaming for all Prime Video customers in India, as of today.

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