David Beckham in an Anglo-Indian film?

Shyam Bhatia
India Abroad correspondent in London

Soccer hero David Beckham is being wooed to accept a walk-on part in a new British-Indian comedy. The film is being produced by prize-winning film-maker Gurinder Chadha.

All expectations are that the England skipper and Manchester United ace will play a cameo role in the film, Bend It Like Beckham, that explores the world of women's football from kickabouts in the park to freekicks in the final.

Beckham demonstrated his interest in India very publicly earlier this year when he had his wife's name tatooed on his forearm in Devnagri.

The film follows the lives of two 18-year-old Asian girls who try and balance their parents' demands to cook decent chappatis and find a "nice boyfriend" with their passion for football.

One of the girls falls pregnant during a secret relationship with a black boyfriend. Beckham appears to her in a dream sequence giving her tips on how to improve her football game.

"David knows all about our project and has given it his blessing," says Chadha, who was the moving force behind the award-winning feature film, Bhaji On The Beach.

Her most recent film, What's Cooking, opened the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in the UK later this summer.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will make a cameo appearance. But we are still awaiting confirmation and we appreciate he has a very busy schedule."

Beckham's wife, Posh Spice Victoria Adams, has also been approached to help with the project by writing the theme tune for the film.

As filming started in London earlier this week, Chadha commented to India Abroad, "I was attracted by the energy and determination of the women who overcome all manner of challenges to become professional footballers. The skill level for women footballers is so high that our lead actresses have had to undertake a gruelling training programme.

"With all the worries about injuries, I'm beginning to know what a premiere manager goes through."