South Asian Programme
At Hyde Park Picture House and beyond this winter.
As you may have noticed, the range of films that we show at Hyde Park Picture House is quite eclectic. We are obviously big fans of ‘arthouse’ and independent cinema, and we love to support new and emerging filmmakers that are local to Yorkshire, as well as emerging British talent. We are also big fans of films from the past and creating events to celebrate film histories in a contemporary way. Where possible, it’s also important to us to have a wide geographical spread of narratives from around the world –using the cinema as a place to explore all types of lifestyles, cultures and people.
To justify and to support this kind of programming, we are always looking to our local communities, individuals, and organisations who can speak to these movies, and either contribute with events or context, or even just suggest films that might be unknown to our programming team but widely adored by others.
We have been taking this kind of approach throughout our 111 years, and whilst at the same time our local community has significantly evolved, as has the way audiences like to find and enjoy their films. Despite all this change our local community has always supported us, through the passing of time and different waves of competitors ranging from VHS to the dawn of the multiplex. The people of Hyde Park have supported us through countless ‘save the cinema’ campaigns, attending screenings, buying ice creams and critically feeding new ideas and perspectives into our programme to keep helping us find a new way of being.
Our cinema has a longstanding and affectionate relationship with its local South Asian neighbours in Hyde Park. Way back in the 1960s, local video store owner Mr Sagoo used to bring 35mm prints to the cinema to host Bollywood films himself once a month to packed out screenings of Indian and Bangladeshi families. We have heard from speaking with local families about audiences of all ages congregating in the cinema and intervals filled with fresh samosas and men nipping to the pub for a quick drink.
Always in the stories, there is something extra about the films and the relationship with the cinema.
One of the first events we held at the cinema once we reopened in 2022 was a celebration event for the Purani Yaadein project. Initiated by the Leeds Muslim Youth Forum, the project was driven by a desire to capture memories of their elders through audio and video, including their stories both of migration and their experiences in Leeds. The group made a website and video of the memories, and they requested to present the films in HPPH on our reopening, as so many of the families referenced coming to screenings here. See more about the project here. It was such a heartwarming event, and reminded us how important the cinema space was to our neighbours, and how important they are to us.
And so, we have been working towards including more Bollywood and South Asian titles more widely in the programme. We have hit hurdles along the way, with what sometimes feels like prohibitive film licence costs and problems trying to locate classic films. But we are now aiming to present at least one film or event a month, which varies in form and style and also includes the exciting events happening at our partner organisations.
We are happy to present our activity between November 2025 and January 2026, which includes some amazing films and performances, in honour of our past, present and future South Asian and other audiences. We also wanted to let you know about South Asian events coming up from our friends at Leeds International Film Festival and our sister venue, City Varieties Music Hall.
Sholay (50th Anniversary) — Dir. Ramesh Sippy • Leeds International Film Festival • Sun 09 Nov
Restored uncut for the big screen on its 50th anniversary, Ramesh Sippy’s towering classic Sholay is an epic ‘curry western’ packed with exhilarating action, musical numbers, Indian cinema’s most iconic actors, and jaw-dropping widescreen cinematography.
As part of Leeds International Film Festival in Vue Cinema, The Light.
I’m Not an Actor • HPPH • Sat 22 Nov & Sun 23 Nov
A struggling Mumbai actor connects with a melancholic retired banker in Frankfurt through virtual acting lessons, bridging cultural gaps and personal struggles across continents. An intimate, day-long conversation that blurs the boundaries between performance and reality, Mumbai and Frankfurt.
The Glassworker • HPPH • Sat 29 Nov & Sun 30 Nov
Vincent, a glassmaker’s son, and Alliz, a violinist who is the colonel’s daughter, fall in love. Rising tensions between their families threaten to pull them apart. With stunning hand-drawn animation, a poetic tale of first love, family, staying true to your art. Showing as part of our family Hyde & Seek strand.
Christmas Karma • HPPH • Sat 20 Dec
Take Dickens' Classic Christmas Carol, add the best of contemporary British musical and acting talent, and you have a modern film set in vibrant, diverse London in the same joyous spirit as Chadha's Bend it like Beckham. A new seasonal hit from Gurinder Chadha.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam • HPPH • Sat 27 Dec
A Hindi romantic drama movie about Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Sameer (Salman Khan) and Vanraj (Ajay Devgn). Sameer while studying Indian Classical Music under Nandini's father Pundit Darbar, falls in love Nandini. Against this love union, Pundit Darbar fixes her marriage with Vanraj.
Tujhe Dekha: Come Fall in Love Again • City Varieties Music Hall • Sun 18 Jan
This unforgettable night will transport you back to the enchanting romance of Raj and Simran, featuring a blend of live performances, dazzling dance routines and all the unforgettable hits celebrating the magic of Bollywood.
A live musical performance at City Varieties Musical Hall presented by LuvEntertainment Limited.
