Podtalk: Viveik Kaira Channels Bruce Springsteen in ‘Blinded by the Light’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 14, 2019 - 9:52am

CHICAGO – Finding joy for many people is rooted in music, and nothing expresses that joy like the love of a particular artist. Bruce Springsteen is the rocker that helps a British immigrant through some hard times in the new film “Blinded by the Light,” and the beneficiary of that joy is portrayed by Viveik Kaira.  

Based on a true story by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, the story concerns Javid (Kaira) and his immigrant Pakistani family living in the town of Luton, in 1980s England. Javid is frustrated by his life there – which includes racism and harassment – and the clashes with his traditional father (Kulvinder Ghir) over his western ways and desire to be a writer. Things change when his friend Roops (Aaron Phagura) introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, and the New Jersey rocker’s freedom-inspiring lyrics motivates Javid to break out of every stereotype that has chained him.

Joy of Bruce: Viveik Kaira as Javid in ‘Blinded by the Light’
Photo credit: New Line Cinema

 Bruce Springsteen allowed twelve of his songs to be used in the soundtrack, including “The River,” “Badlands,” “Hungry Heart,” “Thunder Road” and of course, “Born to Run.” Although the immigrant story is one that has been seen or written about before, the addition of an American rock musician as inspiration is the kick of the film.

Viveik Kaira, the young British actor portraying Javid, is a TV actor making his first major film debut. He talked with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com in a two part Podtalk about his role, exploring the 1980s and of course, Bruce Springsteen.

  In Part One of the Podtalk, an insider scoop on filmmaking tricks and what makes Viveik Kaira act like a “fan girl.”

In Part Two, a “constrictive” element of temporarily living in the 1980s. Also, has Viveik attended a Bruce Springsteen concert?

‘Blinded By the Light’ opens everywhere on April 16th. Featuring Viveik Kaira, Kulvinder Ghir, Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura and Hayley Atwell. Screenplay adapted by Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha. Directed by Gurinder Chadha. Rated “PG-13”