"This film comes from a real place."
British Asian indie drama Never Had A Chance will debut at the UK Asian Film Festival on May 5, 2026. It will screen in London ahead of a wider UK cinema rollout.
The film is directed and produced by Jazz Bhalla.
It is also produced by Vikrant Chopra, Ben Pengilly and Rajinder Kochar.
Never Had A Chance has already built momentum on the UK and international festival circuit.
It has screened at the London Independent Film Festival, British and Irish Film Festival Luxembourg, and Northampton Film Festival.
Starring Amar Chaggar, Never Had A Chance is set within Hounslow’s Punjabi community.
It follows Ravi, a young man navigating his past while trying to build a future.
When a new connection offers stability, he finds himself at a crossroads. Those closest to him threaten to pull him back into a life he is trying to leave.
Rooted in West London life, the film presents an unfiltered yet compassionate look at identity, friendship and survival. It highlights British Asian culture with nuance and authenticity, rarely seen on screen.
The story explores tension between circumstance and choice, alongside the universal desire for a second chance.
Bhalla said: “This film comes from a real place.
“It reflects the environments, pressures and choices that exist for a lot of young people growing up in West London.”
“Screening at the UK Asian Film Festival is a huge moment for us, because it’s a platform that truly understands and champions stories like this.
“At its heart, Never Had A Chance is about identity, consequence and the idea that even when the odds are stacked against you, the desire for something better never goes away.”
To accompany the film, the soundtrack draws on British Asian music and dub influences, channelling the sound of West London and bringing the culture to life through a raw and immersive audio experience.
Never Had A Chance will screen at the Kiln Cinema at 8 pm.
After its screening at the UK Asian Film Festival, Never Had A Chance will screen in cinemas across the UK, with dates to be announced.
Alongside Amar Chaggar, other cast members include Jayant Singh, Tina Sharma and Parvinder Shergill.
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