Panjabi has appeared in film and television, from early appearances in the 1999 comedy film "East is East" to the BBC television series "Life on Mars". Her first Hollywood role, as a British diplomat, was in the Oscar-winning "The Constant Gardener", released in 2005. One of her highest profile film roles was in the 2002 comedy release "Bend It Like Beckham". Panjabi then landed the role of witty and wisecracking office colleague Gemma in the 2006 Ridley Scott-directed romantic comedy "A Good Year", alongside Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.