Chai with Rai

Presenting the Second Audio Collections Series, produced by Chai with Rai and titled An Ode: Reframing the Classics .  In 2025, in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Community Centre at London Bankside, we introduced a new audio series: An Ode: Reframing the Classics—continuing its mission to amplify diverse voices and creative perspectives.  Selected as Artist of the Month for July 2025, Raimu Itfum p...

On today’s episode, I’m joined by writer Bethany Henry Gemmell for a special end-of-year conversation. It felt like the perfect way to close out the final episode of 2026—thoughtful, generous, and deeply inspiring. This marks Bethany’s second time on the podcast (or, as I like to call it, the Chai Room), and it was such a joy to reconnect. In this episode, we dive deep into the dramaturgical proce...

Now joining me today IN THE CHAI ROOM (should I keep calling it that?)  is my dear friend—dancer, choreographer, model, performer and now writer— Tarek Khwiss . This was Tarek’s second time on the podcast, and what a special episode it was. A lot of you often ask what it’s like having friends on the podcast, and this episode is truly the epitome of that. We have a deep conversation about dance cul...

Continuing on with introducing you to the writers behind the new Chai with Rai series An Ode: Reframing the Classics - welcoming to the Chai room Punya Rajput. She wrote a short story titled The Sabhā No Longer Stands which reimagines Draupadi, not as a divine heroine, but as a woman confronting the shame, jealousy, and emotional labor imposed on her by a heteropatriarchal world. Through a deeply...

Welcoming into the Chai room- writer, dancer and actor Amar Bains .  Now this is going to be a very quick and intimate one, as Amar doesn't really do interviews. However, I used our friendship and some emotional coercion to beg and request him to be a guest. We discuss his world building as a dancer and now a writer. We get a sneak peak into his short story for Chai with Rai's audio storytelling s...

Almost Three Years in the making and I am beyond excited to Welcome actor and writer Rupinder Kaur . This is going to be a bit of a long one as we had a lot to catch up on. Though this is the edited version and you can catch our 3 hour chat on our Patreon Channel (Unedited and Unfiltered). We get into our ideals of Romance and fantasy for writing, to discussing the viability of being a playwright...

Welcoming BACK Bolly Illusion a.k.a Anthony Pius .  This was a wonderful conversation into the new Audio series produced by Chai with Rai An Ode: Reframing the Classics in which Anthony wrote a short story called The Sari Chronicles.  The storytelling series had two exhibition residencies in London over Summer of 2025 at Theatre Deli and the LGBTQ+ Centre at London Bankside. We also discuss outloo...

Welcoming to The Chai Room- Robert Emms .  We discussed his new project The Choral , which is out in cinemas right now- make sure to check it out. P.S - the end made me cry and we discuss that.  We also discuss his new project Bad Apples .  This was such a great insight into the mind of an Actor. We chatted about the concept of idolising and hero worshipping the creatives you might be working with...

Welcome to the Chai Room 👀☕️ Francesca Gamble I had such a magnetic time with Fran and felt very empowered after our chat. It was such a healing insight into what your mind can look like when you do the work and dare to be brave. How we can lead and stand in the mosh pit of it all, the good, the bad and everything in between. It was also wonderful to have an insight into the business of a fast p...

We are BACK! Season 7!  Welcoming to The Chai Room for our first episode is the legendary actor Nabil Elouahabi.   Nabil’s television credits span an impressive range of critically acclaimed series, including Quarter Life, FBI: International, the BAFTA-winning Blue Lights, Unforgotten, Breeders, The Tower, Time, Our Girl, His Dark Materials, Deep State, The Missing, The Night Of, 24: Live Another...

I know Season 6 has wrapped up but I had this episode sitting in the vaults so before we get into Season 7 (Next Year EEEK!) Enjoy this beautiful conversation with actor Faraz Ayub .  p.s- I am very ill so enjoy my husky deep. voice in the begining and let me know what was the drink you sipped on or what was your favourite part of the episode.  Topics Breakdown:  Workshopping the script and the ch...

Welcome to Chai with Rai .  The Podcast for the Creative in You!  

If this isn't the most Musical episode then I don't know what is! I would like to set a challenge of counting how many impromptu singing moments there are in the episode and the correct answer gets a £10 Nando's Gift Card ;).  Such a joy discussing acting, music and entrepreneurship with Actor & Musician Kush Khanna .  Topics Breakdown:  Discussing Projects such as  - Lime Green/ Boogieman/ Te...

I love a giddy chat and this was that!  Firstly, this episode is also available as Video so check that out now on Spotify and Youtube. Secondly, this is going to be a 2-parted episode because we had too much to talk about.  Soooooo- Enjoy part 1 with the beaut Actor and Musician Kush Khanna . Discussing all things music, family, friendships, spirituality and more.  Topics Breakdown:  Can you Impro...

Firstly, I am on a hunt for a new Chai recipe so erm please can you slide into the DM's and let me know of any new recipe's and flavours to try.  Secondly! What a joy to get to talk with the cast & crew from the play " Permission " at The Space in London. We discussed all things representation, ACE Funding, reflections on the play and its content but also the approach to writing and acting - a...

Such a bold and beautiful chat with Director, Producer and Artist Jordi. M Carter on how culture and the industry shapes us. How we are working to find our identity and placement, how we can be in service to art and the artists.  Topics Breakdown:  When was the most euphoric or happiest you were in your job? Walk away Lessons learnt from the following: Young Vic Associates , Theatre Peckham Young...

The Final part with Gurkiran Kaur as we discuss Kundalini Yoga, South Asian work in UK theatre, voice and dialect coaching andddd of course GAMES! Topics Breakdown: Approach and pathway into Gurkiran's Voice/ Dialect Coaching. How does your practice challenge or Better you work as an actor? And do you feel like you have a balance of it sometimes? Even from a sustainable perspective?  Transparent c...

This is going to be a two-parted episode as we had so much to talk on from voice coaching to the culture of British South Asian Theatre and more! Such a joy to speak with actor and Voice/Dialect Coach Gurkiran Kaur  .  Topics Breakdown: Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings.  How did she get into acting and where did that passion stem from? Difference mentally, financially a...

It all went down in the underworld! From discussing spirituality, placement of your craft as an artist, career trajectory, mindset of being a creative. To the love for the exquisite premium vanilla that is Taylor Swift and everything in between. T'was a joy to share a cuppa with the exuberant soul that is Zachary James .  Topics Breakdown:  Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing setti...

We are back with delicious and juicy interviews and what a lineup I have coming for you babsies.  Warm up your cuppa because actor and writer Zakiyyah Deen is in the building and we spill it all. From discussing Why a Black Woman will never be a Prime Minister of the UK to how to pitch your theatre projects and your boundaries as an artist.  Topics breakdown:  Can you Improv though- New Warm up ga...

Grabbed a cuppa with the talented Ra'eesah to discuss her writing process for " 38% " an audio story for the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads . We also discussed her unique voice as an artist, organisational make up of the theatre industry and of course poetry.  Also, with this I conclude the series of discussing BTS stuff and more with the writers behind Symphonies of Beaded Threads. I hope yo...

Sat down with the wordsmith that is Riana Howarth to discuss a blossoming  and emerging career in theatre and more. We also dove into her audio story " She'd Sit " from the audio series " Symphonies of Beaded Threads "-  the experience of writing that and what she hopes the listeners take from it.  About Riana: Riana is an aspiring writer and illustrator with a curiosity for all/most things weird...

Had such a wonderful time discussing community and opportunity as freelance writers in the industry with the wonderful Gayathiri Kamalakanthan . And of course we discussed the writing process for the audio story " Chemo in the Summer ".  About Gayathiri: Gayathiri is a Tamil poet and sex education facilitator. They’re interested in how language shapes childhood and how we use it to queer the futur...

I have to say and say it I will! If you are a writer! You must and you must listen to structure and how just telling this conversation is especially if you are an emerging writer. So many great antidotes to take and implement into your world.  Sitting down with the stunning Bethany Gemmell to discuss writing and how a world is created and how " Catherine " was made for Symphonies of Beaded Threads...

The incredible soul that is Yasmine Dankwah sat down and discussed her process of storytelling, YouTube rabbit holes and of course Spoken word vs poetry.  Here is the link to Yasmine's short story titled " An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album  " for Symphonies of Beaded Threads   About Yasmine:  Yasmine Dankwah is a British-Ghanaian spoken word artist and writer based in South London. She...