BILAL KHAN ON HIS DEBUT PLAY AND ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE

by ASJAD NAZIR

‘It has taught me to never give up'

NEW production Dishoom combines a 1978 story of friendship between youngsters during a turbulent time of racial unrest in the UK and how they use classic Bollywood film Sholay to find their inner superheroes.

The newly commenced UK tour is the latest offering from the acclaimed Rifco Theatre Company and features a talented cast of youngsters including 18-year-old Bilal Khan, who makes his stage debut.

The talented teenager, who was born with cerebral palsy, takes on the role of a young man with a disability who is struggling to find his place in the world around him. I caught up with Bilal before the Dishoom tour to find out more.

What first got you interested in acting?

I first got into drama and acting at school during my GCSE years. I had an inspirational drama teacher and an amazing LSA (learning support assistant) who helped me really visualise what drama is actually about. I had so much fun creating and acting out drama pieces from plays and that is when I decided I wanted to do acting as a profession.

How did landing the lead role in Dishoom make you feel?

When I first found out I had got the role, I was full of excitement and joy. As this is my first professional acting role, I was really thankful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing production.

What have the preparations and rehearsals for the play been like?

To prepare for the role, I have had one-to-one sessions with Christopher Holt to work on projection and voice, as well as one-to-one sessions with the director of Dishoom, Pravesh Kumar, to get familiar with the character as well as the script.

Tell us about the story and role you play?

Dishoom is about my character Simon who wants to go out into the world, but is held back by his overprotective grandmother and his dad, who always hides away. Simon quickly becomes friends with his cousin Baljit and inspired by the Bollywood movie Sholay, they discover their inner superheroes and fight against the National Front with Simon’s friends Donna and Mark.

What is the biggest challenge you faced acting in your debut play?

The biggest challenge for me at the start was how fast things were moving and getting straight in there with the staging and movement work. As time has gone by, I am getting used the pace of work and the team are very supportive in guiding and helping me.

Which is your favourite moment in the play?

For me the best moment in the play is when Simon and his dad have a moment in the living room together to talk to each other, as they never actually talk, and the two characters finally open up to each other about their feelings.

Sholay plays a big part in the play, but as a youngster, how aware were you of the movie before now, and what do you think of it?

I was first introduced to Sholay after I got the role in Dishoom. I was not aware of

the film as I don’t watch Bollywood, so to gain an understanding of the film, I spoke to

family members who have seen the film, especially my mum who is a big fan.

Who are you hoping connects with the play?

I hope the play connects a wide range of young and old viewers as the play teaches you about making the impossible possible.

What is the biggest thing you have learned during your Dishoom journey so far?

I have learned about never giving up on things and always trying my hardest, no matter what, to get a positive and outstanding end result.

Which actor do you admire most?

I would say Jason Done, who played Tom Clarkson in Waterloo Road from 2006 to 2013. The reason why I admire him as an actor is because year after year on the show he came back and produced outstanding work and displayed great and effective characterisation in his role as a teacher in the school-based drama.

How do you feel ahead of the UK tour?

I am really excited and cannot wait to travel around and see new places and meet new people.

Finally, why should we watch Dishoom?

I think people should watch Dishoom as it teaches you about making the impossible possible. Also the show is full of humour and reflects on reality.

• Dishoom is being staged at Watford Palace Theatre until next Saturday (22) before embarking on a UK tour. Visit www.rifcotheatre.com for details.

PANGA WITH KANGANA

DIRECTOR Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has had an amazing start to her career with hit films Nil Battey Sannata and Bareilly Ki Barfi, but she has potentially undone all that hard work by signing up Kangana Ranaut for her next project Panga.

The actress has developed a reputation for being massively difficult, which is currently

being illustrated by the spiralling costs of her next release Manirika, after she had the director fired and decided to take over. She also helped sink her last two films Rangoon and Simran.

Ashwiny has reportedly drafted a contract to prevent Kangana from interfering, but the curly-haired actress won’t care about that if she gets restless.

NOT THEIR FATHERS’ SONS

RECENTLY I wrote about how Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor has had an incredibly legacy destroyed by his clueless sons and a similar thing has happened to late great filmmaker

BR Chopra.

His once mighty banner, which delivered blockbusters like Waqt and Naya Daur, has been run into the ground, including incurring huge debts.

This is a sad story that has happened to so many legendary film banners in Bollywood. The only success story has been Aditya Chopra, who has taken his late father Yash Chopra’s

banner Yash Raj Films and built it into the biggest studio in Bollywood.

The rest of the offspring of film families – and there are many – should hang their heads in shame.

KAMAAL: WHAT A TWIT!

FILM critic Kamaal R Khan was booted off Twitter for unscrupulous behaviour, including trolling Bollywood personalities, spreading rumours and more. Then shortly after

returning, Khan uploaded a homophobic rant against the gay community, including directly attacking Karan Johar. A handful of misguided stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi and Abhishek Bachchan welcoming him back on Twitter was like them celebrating a burglar returning to their neighbourhood after a prison sentence.

APACHE’S SET FOR EXPLOSIVE RETURN

TALENTED music legend Apache Indian hasn’t dropped a big anthem to shake the dance floors in a while, but that will change with the release of his explosive new song Punjabi Girl. I got to hear the track, which features rapper Raftaar, ahead of its release on September 28 and was blown away by its brilliance. The song takes Apache back to

his bhangra-muffin roots without losing any of his contemporary edge.

“It took me a minute to write this song but I loved every moment. I drove everyone crazy until it was right because I had a certain vision for the song,” said Apache Indian.

“Raftaar adds the icing on the cake with his own Hindi Bollywood twist. Dance hall

raggamuffin style with Punjabi flows and Hindi rap,” he added.

Legally download the song when it is released and crank up the volume.

PRABHAS: PANINDIAN APPEAL

LATE great actress Sridevi is among the few pan-Indian film stars who are equally beloved by audiences in the north and south of the country.

Prabhas has an opportunity to be the next one, because of the devotion he currently has among fans. Recently more than 1.7 million tweets were sent just to mark a 50-day countdown to his birthday next month. If the south Indian star’s next film Saaho matches up to the sky high expectations, then Bollywood’s  leading men should start looking over their shoulders because the Baahubaali star is coming at them.

HOTEL MUMBAI: AWARDS TALK

HOLLYWOOD drama Hotel Mumbai finally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has received rave reviews despite most agreeing it is a very tough watch. Based on the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, the powerful film with an ensemble cast including Dev Patel, Anupam Kher and Armie Hammer is already being tipped heavily for prestigious award nominations including the Oscars. If all goes to plan Hotel Mumbai will be released early next year.

PRIYANKA’S NICK NAME

FROM going on holiday together to lighting up high-profile events with their presence, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have been inseparable ever since they got engaged.

They recently looked spectacular at Ralph Lauren’s star-studded 50th anniversary show held at Central Park in New York. Another recent memorable moment was Jonas’s

appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s talk show. When Jimmy asked if the couple have a nickname, Priyanka, who was in the audience, shouted, ‘Prick’, to which Nick said laughing, ‘I don't like that one’