This week, we are really delighted to be joined by presenter, broadcaster and DJ, Harpz Kaur. A familiar voice to many from her time on the BBC Asian Network Breakfast Show, Harpz Kaur presented CBBC’s Saturday Mash-up for two years and hosted a range of TV programmes for the BBC’s Red Button including ‘Radio 1’s Big Weekend’ and ‘Asian Network Live’.
In this sincere interview, Harpz Kaur shares her journey from the very beginnings in local radio in Leeds to a chance meeting that catapulted her to the national and international stage. We hear how she proudly champions her culture and has broken into broadcasting as a woman. We also hear how she harnesses and navigates social media and how mentoring has played a significant role in her career.
Naroop Jhooti’s journey began on music video sets before moving on to major campaigns with global brands which include Adidas and Puma.
From building a studio from the ground up, he is now co-founder of the content & strategy agency, Back The Brave. In 2014, he launched ‘The Singh Project’ with Amit Amin, a collection of 35 portraits celebrating the identity of British Sikh men - becoming a book called Turbans and Tales. Later, the project expanded as ‘The Sikh Project’ to include exhibitions in the US and portraits of both men and women.
Now, beyond his agency work, Naroop is using his storytelling to address men’s mental health through his platform The Dad Project, which shares powerful stories of men to open conversations and empower others. While he’s usually telling others’ stories, today we hear his.
British Indian music producer Rishi Rich is known as one of the trailblazers of the British Asian music scene.
From bhangra tracks to Hindi remixes and with the fusion of Indian music styles with R&B music , Rishi Rich is regarded as one of the pioneers of British Asian music.
His ‘Rishi Rich Project’ saw him create music with the likes of international star Jay Sean, who he saw successes like ‘Dance With You’ and ‘Eyes On You’ with, as well as Juggy D and Veronica Mehta.
From west London to India and the international airwaves, Rishi Rich has impacted an entire generation with his music, and in this episode he shares his journey with us.
Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE began his career as an actor in the much admired sitcom “Goodness Gracious Me,” which took audiences by storm in the 1990s for its comedic nature and Asian representation. His career spans a wide range of genres and mediums such as theatre, television, and literature. Sanjeev Bhaskar was awarded the Officer of the Order of theBritish Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List in 2005. In 2009, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of Sussex.
In this episode of the Global Indian Creatives podcast, he recounts his journey from the outset, sharing how he navigated challenges to become a prominent figure in the world of acting.
Kabir Bedi is one of India's most famous international actors, with a career that spans from Bollywood to Hollywood across multiple mediums including films, television, theatre, and radio.
Kabir Bedi has acted in over 60 Bollywood films and was the first Indian to feature in a James Bond movie. He also starred in The Bold and the Beautiful, said to be the second most-watched television show in the world, seen by over a billion people in 149 countries.
Since 1982, Kabir Bedi has been a voting member of the Oscars and he been knighted twice by the Italian Republic, receiving their highest civilian honour.
Kabir Bedi is now a debut author with his autobiography, “Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor.”
In our interview, he shares personal and professional tribulations and triumphs, speaking to us about how he navigated challenges and flourished as a superstar in both the East and West.
How do you build a global brand? In this episode, we spotlight a creative force in the hair and wellness space: entrepreneur Akash Mehta.
As the co-founder and CEO of Fable & Mane, Akash has blended the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern haircare, creating a brand rooted in Indian heritage and powered by plant-based ingredients.
Before launching Fable & Mane, Akash held digital leadership roles at Burberry, Estée Lauder Companies, and Dior. His work earned him a spot on Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list in Media and Marketing. Together with his sister Nikita Kanani, Akash launched the first Ayurvedic, sibling-founded brand at Sephora. In this conversation, Akash shares how he leveraged the power of social media to build a global brand.
When was the first time you saw your story on stage?
Pravesh Kumar MBE has made it his mission to share stories from the British Asian diaspora so they are heard, as well as making audiences feel seen.
Pravesh is founder and director of Rifco Theatre Company and has spent over two decades sharing the stories of British Asians on stage through plays, comedies and musicals. Born and raised in Slough, he has been awarded an MBE for his contributions to British theatre.
In this episode, which we recorded while he was on a break in the middle of a production rehearsal, he shares his passion for storytelling and why he wanted to redefine the theatre landscape.
Imagine moving between cultures and still feeling a sense of belonging. That was the case for the award-winning actress Nina Wadia OBE who is best known for her roles in the hit sketch show Goodness Gracious Me and as Zainab Masood in EastEnders. She has won the Best Comedy Performance and Best Onscreen Partnership at the British Soap Awards.
Nina Wadia spent her childhood across continents before moving to England. She has built a diverse and successful career across theatre, television and film - from starring in the movies Bend It Like Beckham and Aladdin to appearing in stage productions including NOW That’s What I Call A Musical and dazzling audiences on Strictly Come Dancing.
Nina Wadia continues to light up every stage and screen and in this episode she shares her story with us.
What does it take to create a career from going viral online? Comedian Parle Patel has earned a loyal online following from his comedy sketches capturing his experiences as a British Asian Gujarati.
In 2015, he was awarded ‘Best Online Channel’ at the Asian Media Awards and has extended his comedic skills and sketches to theatre stages, by acting as Mrs Kapoor in ‘Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding’, and launching his own show called ‘Patel’s Millions’ featuring comedy, music and dance.
In this episode, he reflects on the multi-faceted nature of identity and how his various roles and experiences shape his presence online while navigating a digital space filled with many voices and perspectives.
For former medical student Jay Sean, one single changed his life. In this episode of the Global Indian Creatives Podcast, the singer from West London reflects on his journey and reaching to success, where he is now considered as one of the most successful male UK urban artists in US chart history.
Jay Sean made history as the first British Asian artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100 with his single ‘Down’. He took the UK’s Asian music scene by storm after his song ‘Dance With You’, under the Rishi Rich Project, reached number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. He has had numerous worldwide collaborations as he has risen to international stardom.
In this week’s episode, Jay Sean opens up about his journey, the importance of paving the way for others, and the personal family moments that mean the most to him.
How does someone go from thinking acting isn’t a career option open to them, to becoming one of the most acclaimed actors in the country? In this first episode of the Global Indian Creatives Podcast , writer, actor and author, Meera Syal CBE opens up about her journey and shares her message about finding your voice in an industry.
Meera started life in New Delhi and upon coming to Britain has delivered change to the landscape of television and film. She rose to prominence as one of the team who created the hit BBC sitcom Goodness Gracious Me and then The Kumars at No. 42. Becoming one of the UK’s best-known personalities, Meera was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to drama and literature in 2015. In 2023, she was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship for her services to the television industry.
Welcome to the Global Indian Creatives podcast - an interview series that showcases inspiring journeys through prolific voices of creatives who have helped shape the narrative for future generations of creatives across Britain and beyond. This series is brought to you by multi award-winning presenter & journalist Anila Dhami and pianist & composer Rekesh Chauhan BEM.