Planet Bollywood gave the film a mark of 9 out of 10: the "screenplay not only explores the development of Jess as a person, but also the changing values and culture of NRI teens: Jess's urge to break the social norm of the Indian home-maker, her sister's (Archie Punjabi) sexually active relationship, and the gay Indian [Tony, played by Ameet Chana]." [23] We can see our goal but instead of going straight there, we too have to twist and bend the rules sometimes to get what we want - no matter where 'we' reside, no matter what group 'we' claim or do not embrace as part of 'our' ethnic lineage," she added. The Hindu argued, "If ever there is a film that is positive, realistic and yet delightful, then it has to be Dream Production's latest venture directed by Gurinder Chadha... Light-hearted, without taking away the considerable substance in terms of values, attitudes and the love for sport, the film just goes to prove that there are ways to be convincing and honest." [24]

Two ambitious girls, despite their parents' wishes, have their hearts set on careers in professional football. Because Jess' parents don't want her to play football, the film is as much about generational culture clashes as it is about British and Indian culture clashes.The quotes are timeless because, although they seem like they're specific to the characters they're about, they're things anyone can relate to. Now 46, he is known as businessman with his own training academy, as well as ownership of Inter Miami FC and part ownership of non-league club Salford City, where he is also a director.

In the United Kingdom, it was the sixth most-watched film of 2003 on subscription television, with 810,000 viewers on Sky Premier that year. [17] It was later the most-watched film on UK television during the first half of 2005, with 7.3 million viewers on BBC1 during that period. [18] Combined, the film drew at least 8.11 million UK viewership during 2003 and 2005. On the North American Billboard video charts, the film entered the top ten of the Top DVD Sales and Top DVD Rentals charts, at number six on Top VHS Sales, and number seven on Top VHS Rentals. [16] It also shows just how accessible football is, and one simple conversation shows just how much the women's game in the UK has developed in the past 20 years. Not really here, but you can in America - they've got a pro-league with new stadiums and everything," she says.

Sports - Soccer Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 12 June 2004.

Chadha, who played an active role in casting, chose Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, who would play the two lead roles in the film, while Archie Panjabi and Jonathan Rhys Meyers were in early talks to join the cast. Shaznay Lewis and Anupam Kher were also in final talks. Juliet Stevenson and Frank Harper joined as Paula Paxton and Alan Paxton, mother and father of Jules. They're one-liners, ultimately, but behind each word sits a plot each character is navigating while trying to create their own identity. It's hilarious Jess' hybrid identity helps remind us sport is a universal language with the power to aid integration. It taught us the concept of bendingMemes and gifs of the film still circulate on social media, whether it's the celebrations of the Hounslow Harriers or the famous Desi wall of defenders in the illustration above. Considering the film’s enormous critical and commercial success, Hollywood’s failure to capitalise on the cultural and social conversation it was tapping into is all the more obvious.