In the 1999 British comedy-drama film ‘East Is East‘, Om Puri plays patriarch George Khan, Linda Bassett plays his English wife Ella, and Jordan Routledge plays their son Sajid Khan.
Main cast
- George KhanOm PuriMain
- Ella KhanLinda BassettMain
- Sajid KhanJordan RoutledgeMain
Supporting cast
- Nazir KhanIan AspinallSupp
- Maneer KhanEmil MarwaSupp
- Saleem KhanChris BissonSupp
- Meenah KhanArchie PanjabiSupp
- Tariq KhanJimmi HarkishinSupp
- Abdul KhanRaji JamesSupp
- Mr. MoorhouseJohn BardonSupp
- Auntie AnnieRuth JonesSupp
Guest & voice
- Mrs. MoorhouseLesley NicolGuest
- Father FitzgeraldRoger BrierleyGuest
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About this cast
Set in 1971 Salford, ‘East Is East’ follows the Khan family, where Pakistani-born George Khan clashes with his English wife Ella and their seven children over his strict traditional values. The film blends humour and poignancy as the family navigates cultural identity and generational conflict.
FAQs
Who plays George Khan in East Is East?
Om Puri plays George Khan, the strict Pakistani-born patriarch of the Khan family.
Is East Is East based on a true story?
The film is based on Ayub Khan-Din’s semi-autobiographical stage play of the same name, drawing from his own experiences growing up in a mixed-race family in Salford.
What year was East Is East released?
East Is East was released in 1999.
Who plays Ella Khan in East Is East?
Linda Bassett plays Ella Khan, George’s English wife who often mediates between him and their children.
Did East Is East have a sequel?
Yes, a sequel titled ‘West Is West’ was released in 2010, continuing the story of the Khan family.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026