Blindness can be disorienting at any age or stage of life; imagine growing up during one of history's most tumultuous periods as an adolescent boy from working-class England. The 1980s were marked by social unrest, economic uncertainty, and the rise of punk rock - a perfect storm for disillusioned youth like our protagonist.

In this backdrop comes 'Blinded by the Light', a coming-of-age drama loosely based on the life experiences of writer-director Gurinder Chadha's own brother. The film follows 16-year-old Jamal (Adeel Akhtar) as he navigates his way through adolescence, trying to find himself amidst racial tensions and family expectations.

The movie is named after one of Bruce Springsteen's most iconic songs from the same era - 'Born in the U.S.A.' This particular track serves as an apt title for this film too. Like many others growing up during those tumultuous times, Jamal feels lost and disconnected from society. His life revolves around listening to music on his transistor radio, which becomes a much-needed escape from reality.

As he navigates high school, Jamal finds solace in the company of his friends who share similar feelings towards societal norms. However, their rebellion is more about rebelling against authority rather than actually changing anything meaningful within themselves or society at large.

One such friend introduces him to Springsteen's music, which becomes an integral part of this story line throughout its runtime. The film explores themes like alienation, identity formation through popular culture (specifically American pop culture), coming out as gay while still living in conservative India - all set against the backdrop of 1980s Britain.

The cast delivers solid performances across board with Patel delivering standout turn as Jamal; he perfectly captures both vulnerability and anger that defines a teenager trying to find his place in this world. The supporting cast is equally impressive, especially Sanaa's portrayal of Mrs Kapoor who becomes like an older sister figure for our protagonist.

In conclusion, 'Blended by the Light' may not be perfect but it does manage to touch upon some very relevant issues faced by many young people today regardless of their geographical location or socio economic background. It is definitely worth watching if you're looking for a movie that will make you laugh and cry at times while also making thoughtful observations about life itself.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Who sings blinded by the light