by LAUREN CODLING
AN AWARD-WINNING actor has said he hopes to see more young Asians engage with the theatre as his play debuted in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this month.
Asif Khan takes on the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) production of Tartuffe which tells the story of his character, Tahir Taufiq Arsuf, a fraudster who pretends to be an imam in Birmingham.
Arsuf works his way into a Muslim household, hoping to manipulate them and win their trust. His hidden agenda then comes to the surface and causes friction within the family unit.
Bradford-born Khan hopes the British-Muslim setting will appeal to young Asian audiences and encourage them to see the show.
Khan, who took an interest in drama when he studied at the University of Bradford, told Eastern Eye that though academic subjects were important, the arts should not be ignored.
“I would like to see young Asians coming to the theatre and doing drama classes and not always follow academic routes,” he said.
“They are great jobs that need to be done, but we would like to see more people join us [in the arts],” he added.
In June, Khan won the award for Best Production at the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs) for his debut play, Combustion.
The ACTAs focuses on diversity within the arts, a message which Khan strongly agrees with.
He believes it is imperative for the industry to reflect British society, hence the importance of platforms such as the ACTAs.
“We saw a lot of diversity in the London Olympics, for instance, but in theatre and art forms, we don’t see as much. It is predominately white,” he said.
On his current work in Tartuffe, Khan says he is excited to see the audience’s reaction to the modern British-Pakistani setting.
Originally performed in the 17th century, the story was written by French playwright Molière. Adapted numerous times, this will be the first time the story will be set in a Muslim household.
“It has so many new elements,” Khan enthused.
A big fan of his “mischievous” character, Khan says it is always a thrill to look at a new script and discover the story.
“Entering with a blank canvas and finding as much as I can about the actual text itself... that is when other ideas start to drop in about physicality and accent,” he said. “It
is a great character to play.”
While at university, Khan joined the Theatre of the Mill company and said it gave him an opportunity to realise his artistic ambitions and he decided to pursue a professional
career in acting.
Khan praised the theatre for its influence, admitting he has “a lot of love” for the group. “I learned a great deal there,” he recalls.
In 2006, he moved to London and trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Since then, Khan has performed in and written numerous plays. He also featured on the BBC New Talent Hotlist 2017 for new writers.
“Drama is a powerful tool to communicate and express yourself,” Khan explained.
“Being able to create characters, explore what is going on in the world, and putting voices you never hear onto the stage and letting them speak is an amazing thing.”
Tartuffe is playing at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Saturday, February 23rd, 2019.
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.