Javed, played by Viveik Kalra, is a Pakistani teenager living in England of 1987. He wants to be a writer but doesn't have the confidence to show his poems and journals to anyone, plus his strict father (Kulvinder Ghir) doesn't consider writing a respectable profession for a Pakistani man. Unemployment and anti-Pakistan sentiments are also stressful parts of Javed's life. Eventually, Javed finds inspiration and solace in the music of American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
Listening to albums of "The Boss" such as Born to Run,
Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River and Born in the U.S.A.
help Javed show his poems to a supportive teacher (Hayley Atwell), stand up to
bullies and actually talk to girls.
Blinded by the Light is directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) and is inspired by real events. Truth be told, the movie is occasionally silly, like having characters often quote Springsteen lyrics to one another, or when Javed sings a Springsteen song in public and heightened reality kicks in turning it into a musical number. Blinded by the Light, however, is often joyful and gives the characters honest emotions. Besides, I, myself, have been a Bruce Springsteen fan since I was in my early teens and his music spoke to me like it did to the character of Javed.
