Backpack detective is back on our screens
DI SUNIL ‘SUNNY’ KHAN played by one-time ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ star Sanjeev Bhaskar returns to our screens in the UK tonight (9pm GMT UK only) in the ITV crime drama, ‘Unforgotten’.
Now on series 6, and written by one of the country’s most successful TV writers, Chris Lang, these six-episodes delves a little deeper into the scarred Khan – who appeared emotionally damaged by the death of his original investigating partner DCI Cassie Stuart who was killed in a car crash at the end of Series 4 with Sinead Keenan taking her place as DCI Jessica (Jessie) James and the two not enjoying the best of working relationships at the start.
Bhaksar told ITV that he loves getting ‘Unforgotten’ scripts from Lang and reads them like novels – and not like most actors who go immediately to see how much of their character features.
“I just read it like it’s the latest novel from my favourite author. I think what Chris is brilliant at is empathy in his writing. That’s what makes the show stand out, certainly for me,” Bhaskar said answering a question about whether he could work out who had committed the crime.
And for those still concerned about his character’s wellbeing, Bhaskar commented: “Yes, Sunny is definitely in a better place and a little more hopeful. I think he has re-found, not that he ever lost enthusiasm for the job, but he’s re-found his enthusiasm for the work environment that he’s in, so he’s definitely in a better place than he was.”
DI Khan is notorious for carrying a backpack everywhere and Bhaskar will reveal its full contents on social media as the episodes air.
Elham Ehasas plays an Afghan refugee Asif Syed – who has built a new life for himself in Britain, when he is confronted by something from his past.
Eshas told ITV: “Asif is a vulnerable character, and that’s something that was quite challenging for me. So it’s something that really excited me, to do something new and go into unexplored waters.”
Bhaskar also recently revealed that he had put weight on for the lead role in the proposed international TV series, ‘Inspector Singh investigates’. The crime drama is based on Singapore based author Shamini Flint’s popular novel series in which an overweight and unfit detective in Singapore investigates cases that take him to other parts of Asia. Bhaskar said it had taken him a year a half to shake off the weight and he would never consider doing such a thing again. The series was shelved by Britbox International for financial reasons.
‘Unforgotten’ looks at fictional cold cases that often start with a body, or body parts – identifying the victim and then following an investigation. It first aired in 2015.
‘Unforgotten’ starts this evening 9pm (Sunday, February 9) on ITV
Stars launch new series in Bradford – nation set to watch
member of the cast at the BBC premiere in Bradford
MANY of the star cast of a new crime drama ‘Virdee’ returned to the city where they shot it for a BBC premiere launch on Thursday evening (February 6).
Bradford-born and raised writer Amit (AA) Dhand spoke of the six-part TV series as a love letter to the city, showing off both the old and the new about the town, which has a significant Asian population.
‘Game of Thrones’ star Staz Nair plays the lead cop Detective Inspector (DI) Harry Virdee who is based in Bradford and is plunged into trying to curb and investigate a vicious turf war which has broken out among drug gangs in the city.
DI Virdee has married across religious lines as a Sikh with a Muslim wife, Saima, played by Aysha Kala.
Kulvinder Ghir plays DI Virdee’s father who has never reconciled himself to the relationship and his wife in the series is played by Sudha Bhuchar.
There’s a score by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer who worked with among others, Leeds-based composer and sitarist Jasdeep Singh Degun.
Local actors Danyal Ismail (DS Amin) and Yousef Naseer (a young informant) appear in the series which begins this coming week. A production training academy has also been created to nuture local talent. More here about this landmark TV series.
Virdee starts tomorrow (Monday, February 10) at on BBC 1 9pm (GMT UK only)
‘Before Nikkah’ – UK wide screenings
BRITISH romantic comedy film, ‘Before Nikkah’ screens in several UK cities from this Wednesday (February 12).
Sara (Sasha Vadher) and Issam (Aakash Shukal) meet on a date at Euston Station, arranged by their parents/elders and all does not go to plan…
Both of Muslim background, they have to navigate their own personal expectations with that of their respective families too – and there’s much humour and irony.
Director Haider Zafar speaks to us about its inspiration – unsurprisingly given the title – the Richard Linklater 1996 classic – ‘Before Sunrise’ and how Zafar came to make the independently made and now – distributed film along with writer-collaborator Marcus Flemmings.
Our interview should drop on our Youtube channel this week.
For screening information check venue websites: Genesis Cinema, Mile End, London – February 12; Arthouse, Crouch End, London – February 13; National Science and Media Museum February, Bradford, 14-20 and Home, Manchester February 16.
Rishi Sunak and in-laws at Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF)
REFERRED to often as the Greatest Literary Show on earth, this year’s Jaipur Literature Festival also has another topical moniker – the ‘Mahakumbh of Literature’ – just as the Kumbha Mela Festival of Hindus takes place this year.
Among the attendees at JLF was former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who along with his wife Akshata Murty and in-laws caused quite a stir. Sanjoy Roy, one of the producers of the festival, along with writers William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale, joked that Sunak and his wife were big supporters of JLF London before he joked, “they joined the suit gang”. Narayana Murthy is the billionaire founder of Indian IT giant, Infosys; and his wife Sudha who is a prolific author both in English and her native tongue, Kannada, participated in sessions. The couple collaborated on a best-selling book about their early life together, ‘An Uncommon Love’ by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. JLF ran from January 30-February 3. The UK edition of JLF usually rolls into the British Library in London in June.
Indian film wins Grand Jury prize for love story
HUGE congratulations to the filmmakers behind ‘Sabar Bonda’ (‘Cactus Pears’) which won The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year.
About two very different men who develop a love for each other in rural India against the odds, it wowed the Grand Jury members, including British star actor Daniel Kalyuuya.
The Jury cited it as “a great modern love story” and added: “To say it’s an honor to award this tender film is an understatement.
“We cried, we laughed, and we wished to be loved in the same way. It is exactly what the world needs right now.”
Writer-director Rohan Parashuram Kanawade said the film was partly based on his own experiences of returning to his family home in Maharastra following the passing of his father and being asked the same question over and over again by relatives as a 30-year-old single man.
“I didn’t have any answer. I remember thinking: what if I had a friend here who knew everything & I could sneak out with him? The idea stayed with me and I decided to write it.”
The Sundance Film Festival ran from January 23-February 2.
