With deep brown eyes and a soft affecting smile, Parminder Nagra appears at first glance to be diminutive and vulnerable. But after playing Jess, the rough and tumble young soccer player in the surprise hit "Bend It Like Beckham" (2002), Nagra has shown that she is a tough and versatile actress. Born in Leicester, England to Punjabi parents—they emigrated from India in the 1960's—Nagra spent her youth growing up like any other child: going to school, hanging out with friends and playing sports. Nagra planned on taking a year off after completing her "A" levels (the equivalent to junior
