Chadha told the Western Mail: 'I decided that like David Beckham, Jane Austen was another delicious English icon ripe for subversion. I would take her Elizabeth Bennet -- the ultimate, feisty independent heroine of Brit Lit -- and transform her into Lalita Bakshi, a firecracker with brains and balls who wants more than is expected of an Indian girl.'

Ash arrived at the premiere resplendent in a shimmering Armani (looking a bit plump we thought), and stood out among the loud crowd of friends and family thronging the Palladium.

'You'll know my relatives, they're the ones with food in their pockets,' shouted Chadha.

Ash with male lead Matin Henderson at the premiere, while Gurinder catches up with a friend in the background.