The limited roles of Asian actors

Everybody was talking about it or so the adverts would have you believe. It was supposedly “the best episode in the history of the series” according to one avid viewer. It even made a feature on BBC Breakfast.

I am referring to ‘Eastenders’, in particular the episode where devout Muslim, Syed Masood’s (Marc Elliott) gay relationship with Christian Clarke (John Partridge) is revealed.

It’s mostly a shock to Syed’s wife Amira (Preeya Kalidas) and Amira’s father Qadim Shah (Ramon Tikaram) who promptly beats his son-in-law several shades of blue.

However, the biggest surprise for me was seeing Ferdy (Tikaram) from ‘This Life’; Monica (Kalidas) (aka girl no.1# that gets called a slut) in ‘Bend it like Beckham’; the deplorable Mr. Kholi (Nitin Ganatra) from ‘Bride and Prejudice’; and Nina Wadia from ‘Goodness Gracious Me”. I felt like I was playing a game of “Where have I seen them before?”

There may be more Asian roles in film and television than ten years ago but only a stock set of Asian actors are getting them.

If you want a generic Asian guy why not call in Jimi Mistry? For the strict auntie Meera Syal is perfect, or for some light comic relief there is always Sanjeev Bhaskar.

All these actors are fantastically talented but surely their appearance in British entertainment would have opened up the door to other young hopefuls? Apparently not.

But it is not their fault instead it is the limited vision with which roles are cast. Why can’t an Asian person be a goth or a drug dealer or a footballer or even a prostitute? There is no logical reason, it may be more unusual but not impossible.

Unfortunately, all these roles are falling foul of racial bias. Asians are doctors, corner shop owners, terrorists or caught in arranged marriages which explains why I suffer from déjà vu whenever I watch any Anglo-Asian productions. I had one such case while watching “It’s a Wonderful Afterlife”.

I have clearly overestimated the Asian revolution in the British media. I was so hopeful that “Goodness Gracious Me” and “Bend it like Beckham” would signal the beginning of a new era for Asians on television and film but it just hasn’t happened.

The so-called “Goodness Gracious Me” trickle down effect which was believed to increase Asian prominence in British media has dried up.

It doesn’t help the BBC Asian Network is shutting up shop. Not even “Slumdog Millionaire” has really helped the cause but then again it was always more the offspring of India than Britain.

All I can say is that I hope to one day see an Asian actor as the lead in an action film or a romantic comedy or a horror flick which has nothing to do with their ethnicity. For now, if you want a suicide bomber then Riz Ahmed is your man.