The Boy With The Topknot is based on the critically acclaimed memoirs of journalist Sathnam Sanghera. Born to Punjabi parents in the West Midlands, the book is his account of his childhood in 1980s Wolverhampton, and facing up to a bunch of painful family secrets and truths in his twenties – not least that his father and sister had suffered from schizophrenia – and that he was going to defy expectations of an arranged marriage.
It is a humorous, touching and emotional story of a second-generation Indian growing up in Britain and how he juggles his family, love life and career.
Sacha Dhawan (Sherlock, Iron Fist) plays the title role of Sathnam Sanghera, with Joanna Vanderham (The Go-Between, Man In An Orange Shirt) playing the role of his girlfriend Laura. Anupam Kher (Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook) and Deepti Naval (Lion) star as Sathnam’s parents, with Kiran Sonia Sawar (Murdered By My Father) and Sam Otto (Collateral) as their younger selves. Further casting includes Jaz Deol (Viceroy’s House), Vineeta Rishi (Line Of Duty), Kriss Dosanjh (This Is England) and Manpreet Bambra (Wizards Vs. Aliens). The drama is directed by Lynsey Miller.
The Boy With The Topknot has been adapted by Mick Ford and produced by Kudos and Parti Productions for BBC Two. The executive producers are Diederick Santer for Kudos, Lucy Richer for the BBC, and Nisha Parti for Parti Productions.
