Chai with Rai

”Non-Weg (Veg) with a W” w/ Natasha Beghi & Nikkita Beghi

Alright, So.... This was not meant to be a 2 parted episode but it is NOW!
So sip up and let's dive into Part 1 of talking about all things from Spy Kids to Periods to being HANGRY!
Sitting down in the Chai room with Natasha Beghi & Nikkita Beghi from Two Chickpeas in a Podcast. 
In the episode we talk about: 
Nikkita's experience in Facilitation and working with Domestic Violence People and what lessons she has learnt about safeguarding. sensitivity and creating a safe space that has poured over into the podcast when interviewing people or storytelling.
Similar to that- Natasha's experience in Media and Broadcasting and what skillsets have poured into the podcast and their storytelling/ interviewing.
Personal Growth and having a kinder relationship  and what lessons time has taught us. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/twochickpeasinapodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/nikkitab/ & https://www.instagram.com/natashabeghi/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://linktr.ee/twochickpeasinapodcast 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

” Swap with me Cameron Diaz” w/ Subika Anwar-Khan

PAR 2 KIDS :)!!!
Continuing the cuppa filled chat with Actor and Writer Subika Anwar-Khan. 
In the episode we talk about: 
Wanting to work on Shakespeare text,.
Scale/ Scope of work we want as actors.
The Mindset and dedication to the craft required as an artist.
What success means as an actor and where the drive of it comes from?
What does success feel and look like to you overall?
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/subika_anwar_khan/ & https://twitter.com/SubikaAnwar 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://subikaanwarkhan.com/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

”Barbie and Beauty Standards” w/ Subika Anwar- Khan

This week welcoming to the chai room actor and writer Subika Anwar-Khan. And we GET INTO IT !!!! Slurp Slurp kids. 
Also, this is part 1 of a 2 parted chat so keep an eye for part 2 Incoming. 
In the episode we talk about: 
Fashion in the UK growing up in the naughties and early 200’s
Beauty products and their effect on us
Standards of Beauty growing up in South Asian households
Fitness and health from a south Asian lens and being body goal driven such as six packs and toned bodies
Beauty perceptions and the new Barbie Movie 
The work Salma Hayek and Jennifer Lopez are doing in terms of acting and producing as women of colour and older
Unrealistic expectations of romance 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/subika_anwar_khan/ & https://twitter.com/SubikaAnwar 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://subikaanwarkhan.com/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

” Success is Fluid” w/ Zoha Rahman

Part 2 of my chat with actress Zoha Rahman.
In the episode we talk about:  
Intrigued to know your perspective on the pro’s and con\s of a conversation which you and I have had and the  action of it that is taking place from- more representation of storylines out there for South Asian people of all walks of life to more faces being scene but then also there is still a pushed narrative about Islamaphobia or exorcising of being South Asian or lets say disabilities or sexuality or gender. To the question about authenticity or representation of playing role such as the film Polite society how  the two leads are not muslim but playing muslim roles. To us fighting for roles and wanting to play those roles but then also not being limited to that and finally the support within the community and this game of networking/support we showcase. 
Vast amount of projects you have done and if either your outlook on the industry has changed from when you entered it or your measure for success has?
A role you have done you would no longer like to touch again and something you haven’t done you would like to do?
A role you cherished to date and if gone back to it today, what you would add more to it or change? 
A tip on self-taping or auditioning in person
A tip on how to handle the audition room
A tip on working on character- so that is whether you have had slides for a first initial self tape or booked for the job and are now on set
Streotyping and the boxing of the industry. How to deal with that and the politics
One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone 
Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc. 
Remove everything- 3 pillars of conviction for your path (Spirituality, Grit and Support)
Peak and Valleys and what lessons you learnt from them. 
Words to your mirror self.
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told.
Favourite part of the job. 
One thing you would like for people to take with them either having worked with you or just met you for brief second.
Strength as an actor  and something you feel like is a challenge you are working on. 
Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself. 
3 things the industry could do with and without. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/?hl=en-gb & https://www.tiktok.com/@zoharahman_
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10522693/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_zoha%2520rahman 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

”If I was a book- I’d be a Slut” w/ Zoha Rahman

Part 1 kids! of part 2. 
Talking boundaries, pooing infront of your partner and having a healthy outlook on your craft as an actor. 
Such a joyful and juicy chat with actor Zoha Rahman. 
In the episode we talk about:  
Vast amount of projects Zoha has done and if their outlook on the industry has changed from when you entered it or measure for success has?
Relationship and boundaries, 
How to balance and have a healthy mindset with acting.
What fuels their desire to continue as an artist and what was it at an early age.
Filling your empty phases with projects and how to have a healthy outlook on that. 
Certain boundaries for work, relationships and how to navigate cultural conversations around arts.
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/?hl=en-gb & https://www.tiktok.com/@zoharahman_
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10522693/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_zoha%2520rahman 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Karak Chai- Batch No.2

It's back and its GARAAAAM (Hot)!!!
Also Announcement! Chai with Rai is officially on Patreon :) Slurp slurp kids
Celebrating all things Theatre, Film, Series, Books and Podcast. This was genuinely so much fun to curate and really think about things such as- what is something fun, serious, period, conversation starter, catered to the artist or anybody.
I hope you enjoy and do let me know which one was your favourite and what I should experience too.
The Projects in the episode are as Follows: 
Films:
Legend of Maula Jutt by Bilal Lasharu
Spotlight by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy 
Pride by Stephen Beresford
Triangle of Sadness by Ruben Östlund
Sitara: Let Girls Dream  by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Theatre:
Reasons you shouldn't love me by Amy Trigg
Accidental death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo
Tammy Faye- A New Musical by James Graham 
Podcasts:
FOC it up! Comedy Club by Keemah Bob
Shut Up Evan by Evan Ross Katz
Creative Sauce by Andi Osho
Books:
My sister the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
How to stop time by Matt Haig
The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Series:
The Morning Show by Jay Carson and Kerry Ehrin
The goes wrong show by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Links:Myself: https://www.patreon.com/ChaiwithRai & https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum & https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 
 
 

” Repackaged Butch Lesbians” w/ Sonera Angel

From talking about Star Wars to discussing ableism and gender identity to talking about their show on Netflix Obsession and the business of career trajectories. Thank you to actor Sonera Angel for joining me in the Chai room for a banterful chat with some deep meaningful points of discussions... let's say. 
In the episode we talk about:  
Experience of working on big budgets vs shorts and your approach as an actor when it comes to prepping- how you get into the world of for screen vs theatre. 
The mental mindset of being on set. 
Authenticity vs Representation of storytelling. 
Sonera's Artwork . 
Discussing being Non-Binary and queerness through the lens of self-journey but also the industry. 
Ambulatory Wheelchair user: their diagnosis, self-care and demystifying notions surrounding ablism. 
Thoughts on if you are having business strategy conversations with  PR and Agent on boosting profile for work? Or discussing to push conversation about representation through self about Gender identity and ablism.
Thoughts on digital space/ it's structure and its role in the artists life today. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself. 
3 things the industry could do with and or without. 
Your measure for success.
One thing you would like for people to take with them from either having worked with you or been around you.
Favourite part of the job.
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told.
Tips on picking a good monologue for audition.
Tips on handing the audition room.
Thoughts on- Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc. 
One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/soneraangel/?hl=en 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://linktr.ee/soneraangel 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

”Reject Hustle Culture” w/ Victoria Chen

This has to be one of the most packed chat in the shortest time. From getting straight into discussing Authenticity vs representation of a story to discussing the "Hustle Culture" artists constantly are fed. 
Welcoming into the Chai room Maker, Director, Actor and an overall Multidisciplinary artist Victoria Chen. This is a sipful and some more. 
In the episode we talk about:  
What drives you emotionally when creating work and how do you balance Theatre making and directing work for yourself vs others?
Discussing the following: Bhumi Collective, Bahri &Co and work with Wild Rice Productions.
Authenticity vs Representation within a project.
Dysmorhpia: a personal piece about body dysmorphic disorder- What to explore not to and what were your reflections on the final product. 
Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself.
3 things the industry could do with and without
Your strength as a theatre maker and something you feel like is a challenge you are working on. 
Your measure for success
One thing you would like for people to take with them after having met or worked with you. 
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told. 
Favourite part of the job
A tip on picking a good monologue for auditions or on auditioning. 
A tip on how to pitch your projects.  
Thoughts on: Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc. 
One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone.
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/vhickles/ & https://twitter.com/vhickles 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://vhickles.wixsite.com/home 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

”Very Sophisticated” w/Bas Rahman

The business of Comedy is no joke - No pun intended. It was so insightful to dive into a 10 + year career in writing and comedy with the one and only Bas Rahman. 
In the episode we talk about:  
Style and voice as a writer and comic. How has it evolved over the years and your memory of the first gig to the last. Did you always know this was going to be styling of your voice as a creative?
Billing of comedy. The tier system, business of. 
Drive for comedy now vs at the beginning of your career
Discussing ERA 50:50 (Equal Representation for Actresses) is a movement of actresses in the UK set up in 2015 by actresses Lizzie Berrington and Polly Kemp.
How long you circuit a “comedy bit” for before you move on from it or bank it? And what constitutes as good? 
Thoughts on Comedians recycling bits.
Boxing as an artist. Challenge and a joy.
Separation of comedy. Scripted vs Standup. Then Cultural vs Mainstream. Conscious decision or not a decision to market yourself as South Asian Comedian and do the route that people like Mo- The comedian or Zarna Garg or Sindhu See. 
What is the line when writing comedy? Personal stories or just bits that you include.
Intro into comedy?
Monetising the Digital space into “real life” work. 
Approach to writing comedy. How jokes come or comedic styling?
Sustainability of Comedy/ Standup vs Scripted. The Space of comedy currently. 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://twitter.com/BasRahman1987 & https://www.instagram.com/basrahman1/?hl=en 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

”Symphonies of Beaded Threads”

This is a special episode in which I am sharing a Sneak Peak and Sip Sip into a new series I am launching on Chai with Rai. The 8 Episode Series titled "Symphonies of Beaded Threads" features 8 Female Identifying, Non-Binary and Global Majority- Multidisciplinary artist. 
This episode gives an insight into what is to come- why and how I am creating this, what each episode is called and who it is by and lastly a sneak peak/trailer soundbite. 
For more information on the project visit the website. 
8 Artists mentioned in the Project are: 
Carmina Bernhardt
Yasmine Dankwah 
Bethany Gemmell
Ra'eesah
Soria Hamidi
Riana Howarth
Afriya- Jasmine Nylander
Gayathiri Kamalakanthan 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.