"This film is rooted in experiences and situations"
Award-winning British Asian indie drama Never Had A Chance will screen at the Kingston International Film Festival on June 5, 2026, ahead of a wider UK cinema rollout.
Directed and produced by Jazz Bhalla, the film has already gained attention on the festival circuit.
It previously screened at the UK Asian Film Festival, the London Independent Film Festival, the British and Irish Film Festival Luxembourg and the Northampton Film Festival.
Produced alongside Vikrant Chopra, Ben Pengilly and Rajinder Kochar, the drama centres on Ravi, played by Amar Chaggar.
Set within Hounslow’s Punjabi community, the story follows a young man attempting to move beyond his past while confronting the pressures of his environment.
A new relationship offers Ravi hope for stability, but those around him threaten to drag him back into the life he is trying to escape.
Rooted in West London life, the film explores identity, friendship and survival through a distinctly British Asian lens.
It also aims to portray Punjabi communities with a level of authenticity and nuance rarely seen in British independent cinema.
The upcoming KIFF screening follows the film’s debut at the UK Asian Film Festival on May 5, 2026, at the Kiln Cinema.
The screening introduced the project to audiences through a festival recognised for championing South Asian storytelling and emerging British Asian talent.
Director Jazz Bhalla said: “This film is rooted in experiences and situations that will feel very real to many young people growing up in West London.
“It explores pressure, identity, and the choices people make when they feel boxed in by their environment.
“Screening at Kingston International Film Festival means a great deal because it’s a festival that genuinely champions independent voices and personal storytelling.
“At its heart, Never Had A Chance is about striving for something better, even when the odds feel stacked against you.”
The soundtrack also plays a central role in shaping the film’s atmosphere. Drawing on British Asian music and dub influences, it reflects the sounds of West London and adds to the film’s raw and immersive tone.
Never Had A Chance will screen at the Odeon Cinema Kingston on June 5, as part of the Kingston International Film Festival.
Alongside Amar Chaggar, the cast includes Jayant Singh as Jay and Tina Sharma as Sukhy.
Other cast members include Amit Dhut, Bhasker Patel, Parvinder Shergill, Saddiqua Akhtar, Hajaz Akram, Raj Singh and Shah Hussain.
Following its festival run, the film is expected to receive a wider cinema release across the UK, with dates and locations set to be announced.
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