Susheel Kumar is part of an award-winning comedy series that could become the next Goodness Gracious Me. He is also acting in a new theatre production with a decidedly twisted storyline. He talks to AIM magazine about his journey through the industry.

You were recently in the BBC Radio show Fags, Mags and Bags – tell us a bit more

It’s a comedy that was written for Radio 4 and is set in a town just outside Glasgow in a cornershop. It focuses around Ramesh played by Sanjeev Kholi his sidekick Dave and his two sons Alok and Sanjay (Sanjay being the stroppy teenager and Alok, as Ramesh describes him ‘the self appointed Richard Branstons’). It’s not your typical Asian comedy, the humor really transfers well across the board. The show scooped the prize for Best Radio Comedy at the 2008 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards which was a great achievement.

It features some familiar faces and voices in Scottish comedy as well as a guest spot from Nina Wadia. We’ve got a 3rd series on the way later in the year, so expect more mayhem!

How did the part come about?

I’d initially performed a few sketches at a comedy club in Glasgow with a few friends for an open night for the Comedy Unit, the company that made the show. I then got a call back a few months later saying that Kayvan Novak (who is better known as the Phone Jacker on Channel 4) wasn’t continuing his role of Alok in the 2nd series of Fags Mags and Bags. I went for the audition and got the part as well as two supporting characters. It was amazing as i’ve always wanted to do radio comedy.

Do you think it could become the new Goodness Gracious Me?

I think despite it being a mainly Asian cast and starting out on radio like GGM did, it’s quite a different type of comedy. However when it comes to replicating GGM’s success, you never know. FMB has already got a massive following, a talented cast and the best comedy writers in the business… it has the potential to go even further.

What sort of media work are you involved in, other than radio?

I’ve mainly been involved with theatre acting performing with Ankur Productions. Recently, I’ve got more work in voice-over, radio (presenting a music show on a station broadcasting in New York) and was grateful to get a part in TV for Rab C Nesbit which aired over Xmas on BBC 2. I also do a lot of online marketing and promotion for the band Kula Shaker… so I try and work in as many areas as possible, as opportunities are hard to come by. I’m always looking to take something new on board!

How does the media industry look from Scotland to you? Are there lots of opportunities?

I guess like in any other competitive market in Scotland, it comes down to who you know, how well you network with people and how much commitment and drive you have to excel in your chosen field. There are a number of Asian actors, writers, filmmakers working independently on some amazing pieces of work just now. It’s true the jobs are hard to come by, however, the talent is definitely out there and that’s always encouraging for the future.

Tell us about your new theatre play

I’ve been involved with Ankur Productions for a number of years in terms of theatre and other collaborations. This is the final production from it’s critically acclaimed Adult Theatre Workshop.

In Love’s Time’s Beggar, I play the role of Max who is a bit of a self absorbed fantasist and can’t really distinguish between his reality and the places he imagines up in his head. This eventually turns into a problem, because when he dies, he has to take one memory with him to the afterlife, but can’t think of anything which isn’t a fantasy.

The show has it’s comedy moments but also explores many darker themes like domestic abuse, terrorism and adultery.

What would you like to do thinking about 5 years ahead?

In five years I hope to be working across the board in radio, tv and film. I love voice-acting and would like to be voicing not only in radio comedy like FMB, but also for animations, cartoons and just about anything else. I want to break into more independent film acting by then as well either here or abroad. So next few years is all about, head down, working hard and making it happen…it’s only a matter of time.

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Fags, Mags and Bags will return to BBC Radio 4 soon (you can listen to earlier episodes from the link).

Love’s Time’s Beggar, by Ankur Productions, played at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre 20th – 22nd May

More about Susheel here: www.facebook.com/susheelUK