A BRITISH Asian star of a new Aladdin play, believes diversity is being taken more seriously in the theatre industry.
Minal Patel, from north-west London, is delighting audiences at the Mercury Theatre, in Colchester, playing Emperor of Colchestaria, an original character adapted from the Aladdin movie.
He told Eastern Eye, “Diversity is being seen very differently in today’s world; it’s taken more seriously.
“More south Asians are leaving drama schools and working and that, I feel, is encouraging creatives and producers to invest in them. As well as, of course, the pioneers that have been championing south Asians in our industry for decades.”
Patel noted how he had not seen enough south Asians in pantomimes previously, but said things are looking different now.
“I haven’t seen many in the past, but this year – post pandemic I’ve definitely seen many of my south Asian colleagues are working in Panto. Things are changing,” he added.
The 32-year-old, who left drama school in 2012 and whose musical theatre credits include Curtains (UK tour), Man Of La Mancha (London Coliseum), and Aspects of Love (Hope Mill and Southwark Playhouse), said it isn’t hard for south Asians to get into the theatre industry.
He said: “The south Asian community is growing; we are not just actors but also in production and creatives roles too.”
Patel in action on stage
Asked about his thoughts on subverting traditional character roles such as having a female genie in this production, he said: “I think it’s great. I’ve always been of the mindset that whatever you feed people, it has to be excellent quality and done with love and joy, and they will be happy – especially coming from an Indian family.
“The same applies to subverting traditional character roles for me. If the actor playing those parts is truly convincing and believable, then it should be done – it makes storytelling more interesting.
The new Aladdin, which is being performed from November 27 to January 16, 2022, will have a theme of rock music – different from the original film.
“Our Aladdin is obsessed with rock music. So, the show is filled with anthem after anthem, couple that with an insane cast and brilliant costumes and set it feels like you’re at a rock concert with Queen or Bon Jovi,” said Patel.
Patel wishes to keep ‘disrupting the paradigm’ and also tell stories of his own stories about ‘kindness and magic from a south Asian perspective’.
Aladdin is running at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, from Friday 10 December 2021 - Sunday 16 January 2022.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.