Buddha of Suburbia based on a book by Hanif Kureishi

Directed by Roger Michell, UK, 1993, 110mins (220mins total series)
Cast: Naveen Andrews, Roshan Seth, Susan Fleetwood, Steven Mackintosh. Print Source: BBC Worldwide.

Hanif Kureishi's collaborations with Stephen Frears during the eighties (My Beautiful Launderette, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid) established his talent, but this expansive, enjoyable adaptation of his 1990 novel introduced his writing to a whole new audience.

The central figure is Karim (Naveen Andrews), an attractive Anglo-Asian boy growing up in '70s suburbia and embarassed by his office-worker father Haroon (Roshan Seth), who has set himself up as a cut-price spiritual guru. Inspired by Kerouac, glam-rock and his new friend Charlie (Steven Mackintosh), Karim tries to forge his own path through this strange, mixed-up culture. With the luxury of four episodes, the series boasts a wealth of different ideas and stories, as well as David Bowie's sprightly soundtrack and a gallery of British acting talent.

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