by LAUREN CODLING
AN ASIAN playwright has revealed he wanted his latest production to humanise British Muslims, as it makes its debut next month.
Asif Khan’s comic drama Imaam Imraan will premiere on July 1 as part of the Bradford Literature Festival. The production follows a young actor who returns to his Bradford roots to rediscover his Muslim identity.
Presented by the National Youth Theatre (NYT), the narrative explores the trials and tribulations of a modern-day Muslim in Britain.
A practising Muslim himself, Khan admitted he did not feel Muslim voices were well represented in the media. In working on Imaam Imraan, the writer hoped to show that British Muslims lived similar lives to every other person in the UK.
“British Muslims go to work, do normal everyday things like choosing to have pizza for dinner or watching TV, but unfortunately, maybe some think those aren’t good enough characters to create a dramatic story,” he said.
“But it is about time that Muslims were seen as normal human beings and that is what I want to do with this play.”
He hopes British Muslims can relate to aspects of Imraan’s story – and that non-Muslim audience members are able to see a new, refreshing and authentic Muslim voice.
Although he believes that Muslim voices are becoming more visible in the creative arts industry, Khan said progress is still needed.
“In theatre, there are some really great playwrights coming through, such as The Funeral Director’sIman Qureshi, but in television, we (are lacking representation),” he said.
Admitting his local community is “not a theatre going audience”, the Bradford-born playwright stressed that he strived to bring his work to his hometown. He hoped the representation of ethnic stories would entice more people to engage with the arts.
“Bringing a play like this where (ethnic minority) characters and experiences are represented, I hope they will get the theatre buzz and come back for more,” Khan said.
Although he now resides in London, Khan admitted he still misses his local community in the north of England. Bradford has a slower pace of life, he said.
And, even though he has relocated to the capital, all of his immediate family still live in West Yorkshire.
“I do love coming back home and getting spoilt by my mum… that’s the best,” he laughed.
Khan, who won the award for Best Production at the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs) for his debut play, Combustion, last June, initially got into the arts while at university.
Having only experienced theatre at a later age, he was unaware of the NYT and the work they do to encourage young people in the creative industry.
He only became exposed to the initiative while studying at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
“Had I known about NYT, I would have definitely wanted to be involved,” he said. “It is vital that people are aware of initiatives such as these.”
For the current production, the youth theatre has gathered a young, diverse cast together for Imaam Imraan.
“There is so much talent and I’m so impressed with their passion,” he said. “I hope that any other young aspiring actors who may be afraid to take that first step see these actors and think they can do it too…that is important. It is underestimated how important diverse representation is.”
Imaam Imraan runs at Kala Sangam at the Bradford Literature Festival from July 1-4.
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.