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The Story of How 'Blinded By the Light' Got Bruce Springsteen's Approval

We’ve all got those albums growing up that help define who we become and maybe even change the course of our lives. That’s what’s at the heart of the new movie Blinded By the Light.

It’s about a Pakistani teen growing up in the UK in the late 80s whose life is changed by the music of Bruce Springsteen. It’s based on a true story, a memoir called Greetings from Bury Park by Sarfraz Manzoor.

Now writing a book that heavily references The Boss’ music is one thing, but making a movie is another because it won’t work without the actual songs.

In a 2010 chance meeting, Bruce told Sarfraz he loved the book, but when the movie started to come together he had ask Bruce for permission.

"I sat down and wrote the most important letter I had ever written. It was nerve-racking, because I could feel this was one of those fork-in-the-road moments, he tells The Sun. "Two weeks later, when I was at the Hay Literary Festival, I got a call...Bruce was fine with it. We had his approval."

Blinded By the Light hits theaters today.

Photo: Getty Images