Waris Hussein, pioneer and Dr Who director to be recognised at Asian Media Awards

October 28 2014

BAFTA and Emmy award winner to be honoured for long and brilliant career…

HE WAS THE FIRST ever director of “Dr Who” and went onto to become a leading light in the world of television and film.

And his remarkable contribution is to be celebrated at the Asian Media Awards tonight.

Waris Hussein (pictured above) is to receive an outstanding contribution to media award for his five decade involvement in TV and film at the awards taking place at the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester.

Hussein, 75, won a BAFTA for his global 1978 hit TV series, “Edward and Mrs Simpson” and picked up an Emmy for his directing of singer Barry Manilow’s musical, “Copacabana”.

Hussein who spoke to www.asianculturevulture.com in December about his famous mother, the writer Attia Hosain and his role in directing “Dr Who” for the BBC in 1963, said: “I am honoured to be presented with this Award which represents not only myself but, hopefully, those who will achieve their goals in their chosen fields in the future.

“I was one of the first Asians to be directing in television drama in the early 1960s. I was nervous and aware of the importance of having been chosen from many other applicants for the job,” said the Cambridge-university educated Hussein.

He also directed a play at The National Theatre and was the first Asian to do so, appeared in the West End on stage and last year he was much in vogue during the “Dr Who” half-centenary celebrations as one of the creative talents behind the first episode “Unearthly Child”.

Hussein said: “I was not to know at the time it would help launch me to my present career. I knew I had to prove the BBC’s trust in me, as a young Indian born Asian, and after a stint on a weekly soap opera I was assigned the task of launching a new series called ‘Doctor Who’.

He is at present preparing to direct a film based on his experiences of working with screen legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on the last film the famous couple made together.

The AMA said it was delighted to be honouring such a pioneer.

In a statement, organisers said: “In his career spanning over 50 years Waris Hussein remains one of a handful of individuals from the British Asian community to have showcased his work at the very highest level across the world.

“These awards are about highlighting the work of future media stars but also to realise the important work contributed by the first generation of British Asian professionals.”

The Asian Media Awards will recognise the best of Asian media in the UK at the awards ceremony this evening across a number of categories.

Among the nominations is www.asianculturevulture.com which is in contention for the best blogging and commentary site, after being in existence for just over a year.

Related links (Waris Hussein)

The Dr Who connection
Attia Hosain, a model of a woman

Asian Media Awards

Asian Media Awards 2014 – our nomination and full shortlists