<P> The film's title refers to the football player David Beckham, and his skill at scoring from free kicks by curling the ball past a wall of defenders . It follows the 18 - year - old daughter of Punjabi Sikhs in London . She is infatuated with football but her parents have forbidden her to play because she is a girl . She joins a local women's team, which makes its way to the top of the league . </P> <P> Bend It Like Beckham was released theatrically on 12 April 2002 by Redbus Film Distribution, and on DVD and VHS on 18 November 2002 by Warner Home Video . The film surprised critics and was met with mostly positive reviews . It earned over $76 million on a $6 million budget . A stage musical version opened at London's Phoenix Theatre on 24 June 2015 . </P> <P> Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra (Parminder Nagra) is the 18 - year - old daughter of Punjabi Sikhs living in Hounslow, London . Juliette "Jules" Paxton (Keira Knightley) is the same age and the daughter of a native English family . Jess is infatuated with football, but because she is a woman, her conservative family won't let her play . However, she sometimes plays in the park with boys, including her best friend, Tony (Ameet Chana), a closeted gay man . </P> <P> Whilst on a jog through the park, Jules discovers Jess's skills, befriends her, and invites her to try out for the local women's football team, the Hounslow Harriers coached by Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Jess is extremely happy and excited about the tryouts, even though Joe is sceptical about a new player joining the team . After seeing Jess's skills, Joe accepts her on the team and Jess lies to Joe about her parents being cool with the idea . </P>

Who plays jess in bend it like beckham