'Desi Rascals': Gurinder Chadha's offering to British reality TV

Gurinder Chadha, a widely known British film director of Sikh origin, is upbeat about co-producing "Desi Rascals", a reality show for British television. She says the "high drama" in it could challenge Indian soaps.

The show will aim to assimilate British Asians into the mainstream of British society.

"My desire is to showcase the West London British South Asian community in a three- dimensional light. Some of the characters and stories we have found would give the Indian soaps a run for their money in terms of high drama and compulsive viewing," Chadha said on phone from London.

The show was her idea "given how popular reality TV is these days".

"I brought producer Tony Wood on to make the show as he has much experience here with Britain's top-rated reality show called 'The Only Way Is Essex', which he was one of the originators of.

"'Desi Rascals' has a cast of different generations and will be a thoroughly entertaining show while allowing us to be fully represented on British TV," she said.

Chadha, known for films like "Bhaji On The Beach", "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride and Prejudice", has other content for television lined up.

"I have several other TV projects, but my focus is also on my film and stage work, which you will soon be hearing more about," she added.