Biography
A distinctly alluring English actress of Indian descent (whose parents emigrated to Britain in the '60s), Parminder K. Nagra received her international breakthrough role as Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra, the lead character of
Gurinder Chadha's delightful teenage soccer comedy
Bend It Like Beckham (2002). That movie's status as an instant cult hit lifted Nagra sky-high and brought her legions of U.S. fans. She could soon be seen again in stateside cinemas in a warmly received supporting performance as Areida in the adolescent fantasy
Ella Enchanted (2004), starring
Anne Hathaway. Nagra's next major role was her multi-season portrayal of Dr. Neela Rasgotra (starting in season ten) on the blockbuster prime-time medical drama
ER. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide