By Hemisha Morarji.
“I might walk out and dress up as Ghandi…and put on a Northern accent!”
The comedian and actor makes his latest film debut in Naachle London, playing Rani’s overbearing father, JT. Since doing regular stints in a Yorkshire Working Men’s club as an impressionist, the Kenyan-born has certainly come a long way, becoming most famous for being one-fourth of 90s hit sketch, Goodness Gracious Me (GGM). A father to two children, Kulvinder manages to juggle family life with a versatile career spanning theatre, radio, TV and film.
During our chat down the phone, the actor discusses the challenge of playing a pensioner, keeping in touch with the GGM gang and the possibility of playing a Ghandi in a Northern accent…
Tell us about your character JT.
He’s an interesting one, JT. He’s got a military background; he has spent as much time in the UK as he has in India and he has been taking his children back and forth. As a character, he’s warm and he a father, but with the latter there is a dilemma, as he cares far too much for his children. He wants the best for them, so much that his children feel slightly oppressed by him. So his development in the film will see him come to an understanding.
Will your character be a funny stereotype, or will it be a more realistic portrayal?
The situation is real. When you are given a role, you should build a history for the character based on the market that the film is aimed at. Because some of our market groups are inIndia, we made sure that we brought more to the Bollywood genre, rather than taking away from it.
You have to find humour in the stereotypes and in this crowd of caricatures; you have the two protagonists looking for reality. They are two Asian single parents wanting to be in a relationship with one another despite the taboos attached to such a pairing in the community.
What attracted you to the script?
I’ve never done a Bollywood film before and JT was an attractive character to play. He’s a father, which I can relate to because I have two children myself. But he’s 65 years old, so a lot older than me, and that in itself was a challenge. The other challenge was to make the film real, but at the same time, retaining that sense of absurdity.
There was also many other aspects of the film that drew me to it – the song, dance. There was a whole joy in making the film and because I worked with Neville before on Ealing Comedy, so I knew it would be fun.
You starred in Neville’s first film, Ealing Comedy. What was it like working with him again?
It was great! He has it (idea for films) all in his head. He’s worked as a producer and until recently, he ventured into directing. I mean, I even got to play Neville in Ealing Comedy! So I understand him very well, he’s very driven, passionate and he’s proud of British cinema. He looks at the world market and tries to find niches. In fact, one of his next projects will be a Hindi version of Shakespeare’s Midnight Summer’s Dream!
Really? So will you be in it?
I think so, yes. He’s in the ideas stage at the moment, but yes, I might be in this one when casting starts.
Apparently when you were growing up, you’d sneak off to comedy clubs because you were worried your parents would disapprove of your passion. Are they more accepting now?
Well at the time, my dad was in Africa and my mum was living with me in theUK. In fact, she used to watch me when I performed at the working men’s club and she loved it because I made her laugh! She then told my dad when he got back and they both sent me to a Drama school inYorkshireat the age of 10 or 11 and I was there for 14 years. I was doing all kinds of plays there from Shakespeare to Checkov. It’s interesting how things come together and my parents have always supported me. They’ve always said, “he’s do what he wants to do…at least he’s found something he can do!” (laughs) So they were relieved! (laughs again)
(Laughs) Audiences will know you best from Goodness Gracious Me. According to a survey taken in 2002, some people were offended by the show. How do you feel about that?
That’s the first I’ve heard in that respect. We’ve had no intention offend. The show was inspired by our own lives and where we were. Luckily, these stories broke the ice; they allowed people from different backgrounds to communicate to one another. There was solidarity in the programme – it had a point of view, which is what good satire is! It was debatable. Thankfully it never offended anyone to the point they went out to riot! (laughs)
(Laughs) Do you still keep in contact with Meera Syal, Sanjeev Baskar and Nina Wadia?
Yes I do! I’m going to be working with Meera on a radio play called ‘Meena’, which will air on the 25th March. I had a telephone conversation with Nina the other day about one of my upcoming projects.
Nina Wadia is currently playing Zainab in Eastenders. Have you seen her on the show, particularly the Christmas special (Zainab’s ex husband tried to burn her current husband)?
On and off. I didn’t get to see her in the Christmas special because I was in Yorkshire and then I was doing sketches here inLondon. I don’t follow the show, as I have to put the kids to bed at 7.30 because that their bed time! (one’s 6 and the other’s 10!) But I have heard about the big story she was in.
Back to Naachle London. Do you have any favourite songs from the film’s soundtrack?
The opening song, Naachle London. There are a couple of other songs in the film, but that is the only one I’ve been listening to (begins to sing the song in a comical manner)
(Laughs)Why should audiences watch the film?
Hopefully, it turns out to be a fun film. I can’t really comment on it honestly, as I haven’t seen it! But it comes across as an interesting film – it has a fairytale romance, as well as the same morals you find in most Bollywood films. Hopefully, it’s a celebration of many things…love, different backgrounds and (in a mock Indian accent) “family shamily.”
You mentioned upcoming projects earlier. Can you tell us a bit about those?
Yes, next year I’ll be doing a play about when Charlie Chaplin met Ghandi and rehearsals for that starts on 30th January. And I’ll also be doing the voice for Postman Pat, so that should be fun.
I have a one-man-show coming up this February and I’ll be touring across the Midlands in Leicester, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The show will be for three nights and it will be all stand-up.
So what should we expect in the stand-up?
I haven’t a clue yet! I might walk out and dress up as Ghandi, and put on a Northern accent! ANorthern Ghandi(laughs)
(laughs) Lastly, what would you like to say to the Asian World readers?
Watch the film and hopefully, you’ll walk out with a big smile on your face!
