Javed, a British teen of Pakistani descent, is growing up in England in 1987. Amidst the racial and economic turmoil of the times, he writes poetry as a means to escape the intolerance of his hometown and the inflexibility of his traditional father. But when he is introduced to the music of 'the Boss,' Javed sees parallels to his working-class life in Springsteen's powerful lyrics.

Eighteen year-old Jesminder's parents want her to be a nice, conventional Indian girl. But she just wants to play soccer like her hero, David Beckham. For Jess, that means kicking a ball around the local park with the lads until she's spotted by Jules, who invites her to join the local women's team.