Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti

Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti is a British playwright and screenwriter known for tackling issues of cultural identity, family, and societal tensions. Born to Punjabi Sikh parents, Bhatti’s work often explores the clash between tradition and modernity within British South Asian communities. Her play Behzti (2004), which confronted taboo subjects within a Sikh community, sparked both acclaim and controversy, highlighting her fearless approach to difficult topics. Bhatti continues to write for stage, screen, and radio, with works that examine the complexities of cultural heritage and generational conflict.

Bhatti has won numerous awards, including the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2005 for best English language play written by a woman. In 2010, her play Behud (Beyond Belief) (2010) was shortlisted for the John Whiting Award.

Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti spoke to Simon Stephens in S4 Ep1 of Playwright’s Podcast.