Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

King of comedy Romesh Ranganathan on life and laughs

By Reena Kumar

SINCE making his debut in 2010, Romesh Ranganathan has built a strong following across the UK and earned several industry accolades. He has written for and supported a number of high-profile comedians including Ricky Gervais and Bill Burr and in 2015 premiered his own BBC3 show, Asian Provocateur.


Moving from teaching to comedy was quite a career change; what inspired it?

One day I just realised how unrewarding it was to help children.

Who are you inspired by?

My younger brother has a work ethic that I find very inspiring. I would admire him if he wasn’t mum’s favourite.

Where do you source the material for your shows?

I sit around and watch my family. I warn them that if they don’t do anything interesting we won’t be able to pay the mortgage.

How does your wife feel about you describing your second child as a “little a***hole” on national television?

She says it’s not fair as he’s actually getting a bit bigger now.

How do you feel about your mother’s newly found fame after her appearance

in Asian Provocateur?

I’m not jealous. It just annoys me that she has got famous without having to do any work for it. Yes I am jealous.

How would you describe your relationship with your mum Shanthi?

My mum and I wear our hearts on our sleeves but we are very close. My mum went through great hardship bringing us up and I will never forget that. I owe her everything. But she texts me too much.

Can we expect any other programmes with her?

My mum has unfortunately reached the point where she is getting offers without me. So you’d have to ask her agent, who is also my agent. But she won’t tell me.

There aren’t many Asians in mainstream comedy and those who are get accused of focusing on their race. Why do you think that is?

They don’t focus on race all the time, that’s a myth. And even if they did, why shouldn’t they? As a comic, you should be able to talk about whatever you want. Personally, I think there are too many Asian comedians – it is eroding my USP.

Do you think it’s important to see more diversity in the arts and entertainment world?

I think enforced diversity at the top end is a quick fix that leads to resentment. I would like to see steps taken to see more diversity from the ground up, so that it is no longer “book a brown or a black or a woman or a gay for this show quickly” but the system means that we have these people properly represented as a matter of course.

I think this should apply behind the scenes too. The lack of diversity in production is a bloody joke. I have met one black and one Asian director since I started doing this and that was at one of the secret “minorities in entertainment” meetings we have every month. The food is incredible.

What would you say to encourage aspiring comedians into the industry?

There are too many comics – please give up. But if you must continue, write lots, gig lots and be easy to work with. The rest is luck. But mainly, give up.

You have said before that you don’t see yourself as successful – why is that?

Because success in comedy is fragile and transient. And it makes you constantly feel like a fraud. I spend every day waiting for my agent to call me and say: “Rom, they’ve

found out you’re s*** – it’s over.”

Finally, what exciting projects are you working on?

Every time I mention something in the pipeline in an interview, it doesn’t end up happening. So I’m planning on giving up comedy and going back to teaching.

More For You

Scarlett Johansson slams viral AI deepfake: Calls for urgent action against AI misinformation

Scarlett Johansson speaks out against AI deepfake misuse after a viral video falsely depicts her in an anti-Kanye West campaign

Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson slams viral AI deepfake: Calls for urgent action against AI misinformation

Scarlett Johansson has spoken out against the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) after a deepfake video surfaced online, falsely portraying her and other Jewish celebrities condemning Kanye West. The manipulated footage has reignited concerns about AI’s role in misinformation and identity theft.

The video, widely circulated on social media, features AI-generated versions of Johansson, David Schwimmer, Jerry Seinfeld, and other stars wearing T-shirts with a Star of David and a middle finger gesture above the word "Kanye." The clip ends with a call to "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism."

Scarlett Johansson warns against the dangers of AI manipulation, calling for stricter regulations to prevent misinformationGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Diddy sues NBCUniversal for $100M over explosive documentary allegations

Sean “Diddy” Combs faces legal battles as he sues NBCUniversal over a controversial documentary

Getty Images

Diddy sues NBCUniversal for $100M over explosive documentary allegations

Sean "Diddy" Combs has taken legal action against NBCUniversal, its streaming platform Peacock, and production company Ample Entertainment, seeking $100 million in damages over the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. The lawsuit, filed in a New York court, claims the documentary falsely portrays him as a criminal, making baseless accusations about his involvement in sex trafficking, abuse, and even murder.

The lawsuit alleges that the documentary advances wild conspiracy theories, linking Combs to the deaths of his former partner Kim Porter, rapper Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, and others. According to Combs' legal team, the film deliberately presents him as a "monster" and compares him to figures like Jeffrey Epstein, despite a lack of credible evidence.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanye West tricked agency to run Super Bowl ad promoting swastika shirt, sparks massive backlash

Kanye West sparks outrage over Super Bowl ad controversy and offensive merchandise promotion

Getty Images

Kanye West tricked agency to run Super Bowl ad promoting swastika shirt, sparks massive backlash

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is once again facing backlash after reportedly deceiving an advertising agency to air a Super Bowl commercial that ultimately promoted antisemitic merchandise.

The 15-second regional ad, which aired in select markets, initially appeared to be a harmless clip of Ye sitting in a dentist’s chair, directing viewers to his Yeezy.com website. However, shortly after the ad aired, the website was altered to display a swastika-emblazoned T-shirt, sparking immediate outrage.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress moment goes viral: Hollywood’s new leading lady?

Kim Kardashian strikes a pose in a stunning look

Getty Images

Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress moment goes viral: Hollywood’s new leading lady?

Kim Kardashian is back in a wedding dress, but this time, it’s strictly for the cameras. The 44-year-old reality star and entrepreneur was recently spotted filming a wedding sequence for All’s Fair, an upcoming legal drama from acclaimed producer Ryan Murphy.

Dressed in a strappy white gown and flowing veil, Kim was seen holding hands with co-star Matthew Noszka on a Malibu beach. The scene even included a dramatic kiss, with Noszka all suited up in pastel blue dipping her for the moment. While the images set social media abuzz, this isn’t the start of a new marriage for Kim—it’s just part of her latest acting role.



This marks Kim’s second collaboration with Murphy after her role in American Horror Story: Delicate. Over the years, she has taken on smaller acting roles, including film cameos and voice work. However, All’s Fair signals a bigger step into scripted television, featuring an all-star cast that includes Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Sarah Paulson. The series reportedly centres on an all-female team of divorce lawyers in Los Angeles, with Kim not only acting but also serving as an executive producer alongside her mother, Kris Jenner.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anthony Mackie wants Shah Rukh Khan as the next Avenger: ‘He’s the best!’

Anthony Mackie names Shah Rukh Khan as his top pick for the next Avenger, sparking excitement among fans

Getty Images

Anthony Mackie wants Shah Rukh Khan as the next Avenger: ‘He’s the best!’

Hollywood star Anthony Mackie, who steps into the iconic role of Captain America in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, has his sights set on Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan joining the Avengers. During a recent chat with influencer Kevin Zingkhai, Mackie didn’t hesitate when asked which Bollywood actor he’d pick for the superhero squad. “Shah Rukh Khan, no doubt. He’s the best!” Mackie declared, sparking excitement among fans of both Marvel and Bollywood.

Shah Rukh Khan’s global appeal has already found its way into the Marvel universe. A song from his film Swades was featured in Deadpool 2, and in 2018, Marvel executive Stephen Wacker stated that if the studio ever created Indian content, SRK would be a must-have. More recently, The Marvels director Nia DaCosta also praised Khan, calling him a “legend” and expressing her desire to work with him.

Keep ReadingShow less