Chai with Rai

From Rude Gal Tings to Jalebi's and discussing Life in East London. It was so much fun to talk with Actor and Writer Saher Shah . We highlight her UK tour of the play Vitamin D , which she has written and stars as Larki.  In the episode we discuss:  Thoughts on the audition process, Audition Monologues- challenges and joys of it. Takes on how to deal within the room and also with the casting hear...

Warm up your cuppa's kids as we dive into banter and deep conversations with stars of  the film "What's Love Got To Do With It?"- Broadcaster, Writer and Actor Mim Shaikh and Writer/ Actor Iman Boujelouah .  In the episode we discuss:  The process of self taping/ auditioning for What's Love Got To Do With It? and also intrigued to know your process- when it comes to a self tape or an audition wher...

From reconstructing Britney Spear's "Every time" in a Scottish accent to talking about Maru's Bhajia. Had such a fun time talking to actress and founder of the channel South Asian Artists with Aarti Shah .  In the episode we discuss:  Scope of South Asian Entertainment in the UK, thoughts on it  and have they change recently from when you began working in the industry. Time at National Youth Theat...

From our love of Dr. Who and being a Whovian to talking about Scottish sausages. It was so nice to finally connect with actor, writer and multi-disciplinary artist Sanjay Lago .  In the episode we discuss:  What are the joys and hurdles of creating your own lane. Being a  creator of opportunity right-- if no one gives you work, you create your own.  Reflections on; I don’t give a fuck , Can’t live...

First episode of 2023 !!! From talking about poo stories at the dinner table to discussing South Asian female leads in western films. This is juicy one that combines the world of NHS and the entertainment.  With filmmaker, actor, writer and host Dr. Parvinder Shergill  from The Secret Psychiatrist  In the episode we discuss:  Process to filmmaking Producing and Directing 20 + films in span of 2 ye...

The final part with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones . Talking all things from New York's Grungy scene to cruising being a rite of passage and more. In the episode we discuss:  Activism and if there are any backlashes of being vocal about the "system". Construct of beauty and attraction in Queer spaces. Queerbaiting in pop culture such as Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles....

As we reflect on 2022 and enter 2023, the word that has been coming in my head a lot is Success- my relationship with it, where I stand on the highs and lows of it and what I will do with it in the next chapter (especially since in the last year feeling a bit down and like a failure almost). This Wisdomist Chai clip comes from my conversation with Acting and Life Coach Daniel Dresner. It touches o...

From romance & tenderness to skincare routines-- this is definitely a special one. Warm up your cuppas and let me know you're sipping as you listen to this episode. I hope you enjoy part 1 of 2 with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones .   In the episode we discuss:  Thoughts on gender and sexuality today? The performance of sex and sexuality. Discussing upcoming projects a...

This week Wisdomist Chai Clip comes from my chat with author and creative director Shweta Agarwal from Episode 22 of Chai with Rai. In the episode we discuss shortly Shweta's thoughts on why colourism exists not only in the South Asian community but other cultures as well and gender rules surrounding colourism.  To purchase Shweta's Book "The Black Rose": https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993232876?th=...

Part 2 with the one and only Mahatma Khandi From talking about how drag holds a mirror to society to talking about fisting. This is a hot and juicy episode-- dare I cornfully say "Chai Spilling" episode.  In the episode we discuss:  The narratives surrounding drag and cabaret culture  South Asian or Asian Culture representation in Drag Race or mainstream Drag culture Sustainability of Drag Global...

The final part of my chat with the one and only Jay Jay Revlon . From talking about Dirty Chai's to how a No, is not a No forever. This is a slightly motivational yet risky one. Hope you enjoy kids. But as a breakdown-- In the episode we discuss How Queens and Young Kids entering the Ballroom scene are not immersed or educated on the culture but are already making statements.  The difference a Kik...

Part 2 and final one with the cast of Sundown Kiki from Taking Part Productions at The Young Vic Theatre - Asa Haynes , Amani Revlon (Afi Hussen) , Sarah-Angel Sharma , Jasper Ryan Cater , Tatenda Shami , Jay Lafayette Valentine and special guest Emanuel Vuso Things we discussed:  Queer relationships and romance Perspective of queer culture on mid sexuality spectrum such as A-sexuality, pansexual...

W/ Ridaa Husain from Dance Bhangra and Mandeep Virk Randhawa from Dance with MVR . This is an acknowledgment episode of including and researching the origins of Bhangra and how often Pakistan is left out of that narrative. " To watch the full interview video:  Ridaa: https://youtu.be/K_89rYMM4mY    Mandeep: https://youtu.be/gywOQiCgn-g      To listen to the full interview:  Ridaa:  Spotify , Apple...

From talking about feminist sons to digitising theatre to the structure of the world that needs to be broken. This cuppa filled episode with Natasha Kathi- Chandra spills it all!  In the episode we discuss:  Highlights and challenges of projects and experiences such as: Om Shanti Fuck , Ingenium/ Namashkar , Tara Theatre , In a nutshell , Lion King and East is East . Feminism and culture.  Thought...

From discussions on Tiger Balms to South Asian Theatre, this was a funny and educational episode. The Double Bill that is THE SC SAGA. We need a night of that please Theatres!  With the incredibly talented peeps Dr. Sharmila Chauhan and Satinder Chohan.   In the episode we discuss:  Safeguarding yourself from topics when researching or diving into the world of your play/script as a writer Who do y...

From Beyoncé's fashion sense to Charlie's Angels to Selling Sunset to drag culture. This is a cuppa filled episode with LOTS of banter, deep chats and fun games. Now this is part 1 of 2 with the one and only Mahatma Khandi . Part 2 will be out later this month, keep an eye out for that.  In the episode we discuss:  Where their humour and joy of life comes from? Met Gala 2022 Their thoughts on proj...

From conversations on religion, sexuality, random filth and ethical questions. This is a juicy episode of randomness that will go down with a nice hot chai. Enjoy our DMC with a pitta TLC-- with the one and only author, poet and writer Amani Saeed .  Amani Saeed is an international writer whose work brings the big issues to your kitchen table. She explores the crisis cultivated by living between s...

From Magic Mike to comparing his coaching styles between Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton. This episode is spilling the most-- with the one and only Daniel Dresner.  Daniel has been in the industry for over 20 years, starting off as a stand-up comedian, actor and theatre director in Tokyo, Japan. He then studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York and worked as an actor there for six...

Warm up your kettles and grab a cuppa as we discuss all things theatre and more (wink wink) with Mr. Kash Arshad. From his thoughts on Cats- The Musical to the Kardashians and accessibility at the Olivier Awards. We got you covered.  Kash is a Scottish/Pakistani director and theatre maker based in Yorkshire, and trained on the National Theatre Studio Directors Course 2019. He is currently Associat...

With the one and only Bolly Illusion aka Anthony Pius. Everything from Topping Masculine Men to how Shahid Kapoor is a waste man? Miss Bolly is a Perfomance artist, Host, Dancer, Choreographer, Curator, Drag queen and full on SEX.  Their credits include: The Glory, The Hoxton, Glastonbury, London Queer Fashion show, Manchester Pride 2019, The Chateau, The Roundhouse. Pussy palace, , Birmingham Pri...

Jay Jay has many hats. His focus is curating events, DJing, Ballroom (voguing) and mentoring. Listed as Time Out’s ‘One to Watch’, Jay Jay is a committed community activist and dedicated to creating safe spaces and conversations for QPOC and LGBTQ+. He does this through his own club night ‘Let’s Have a Kiki #theparty’ and as a volunteer peer to peer mentor at Stonewall Housing. Throughout his care...

Sitting down with the beaut Amrita Mudan to talk about Mental Health— and how our worth, confidence and self-love is connected to our work as creatives and what happens to us at the lowest of the lows and how to get out of it.  Looking at representation in the prosthetics, hair and make up world. What routes to take in order to get successful in the industry, such as;  going to university to learn...

We are diving into the big brown world of Sacs in the city. That is SACS as in SACS not SEX. Bringing on the talented Tarek Khwiss to discuss all things fetishes, blowjobs and the A-Z's of SACS as Brown Boys who grew up in religious households and are finding this world of sexual empowerment as 2 queer boys.  From Grindr Lingo, to sex positions, to our first wet dreams and to advice on Blowjobs or...

I had to make a special Wisdomist Chai clip from my chat with Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Choreographer Saran Kohli. He speaks with such passion about Vitiligo and how people should perceive it, be knowledgeable it and embrace it. This is an emotional one! To watch the full video:  https://youtu.be/on1PGOzHUi8   To listen to the entire episode: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com...

This is a mega one! I am joined by the cast of Sundown Kiki from Taking Part Production at The Young Vic Theatre- Asa Haynes, Amani Revlon (Afi Hussen), Sarah-Angel Sharma, Jasper Ryan Cater, Tatenda Shami, Jay Lafayette Valentine and special guest Emanuel Vuso (in part 2) for a chai spilling chat on Queer Naratives.  We get into discussing Gender, Pronouns, Sexuality, Privellage. Narratives you w...