Chai with Rai

Now joining me today IN THE CHAI ROOM (should I keep calling it that?)  is my dear friend—dancer, choreographer, model, performer and now writer—Tarek Khwiss.

This was Tarek’s second time on the podcast, and what a special episode it was. A lot of you often ask what it’s like having friends on the podcast, and this episode is truly the epitome of that. We have a deep conversation about dance culture in the UK, friendships within th...

Continuing on with introducing you to the writers behind the new Chai with Rai series An Ode: Reframing the Classics- welcoming to the Chai room Punya Rajput.

She wrote a short story titled The Sabhā No Longer Stands which reimagines Draupadi, not as a divine heroine, but as a woman confronting the shame, jealousy, and emotional labor imposed on her by a heteropatriarchal world. Through a deeply affective conversation with Krishna,...

Welcoming into the Chai room- writer, dancer and actor Amar Bains. 

Now this is going to be a very quick and intimate one, as Amar doesn't really do interviews. However, I used our friendship and some emotional coercion to beg and request him to be a guest. We discuss his world building as a dancer and now a writer. We get a sneak peak into his short story for Chai with Rai's audio storytelling series An Ode: Reframing the Classics...

Almost Three Years in the making and I am beyond excited to Welcome actor and writer Rupinder Kaur.

This is going to be a bit of a long one as we had a lot to catch up on. Though this is the edited version and you can catch our 3 hour chat on our Patreon Channel (Unedited and Unfiltered). We get into our ideals of Romance and fantasy for writing, to discussing the viability of being a playwright and poet. We also discuss Rupinder's...

Welcoming BACK Bolly Illusion a.k.a Anthony Pius. 

This was a wonderful conversation into the new Audio series produced by Chai with Rai An Ode: Reframing the Classics in which Anthony wrote a short story called The Sari Chronicles. 

The storytelling series had two exhibition residencies in London over Summer of 2025 at Theatre Deli and the LGBTQ+ Centre at London Bankside. We also discuss outlook on artistry and how our experience...

Welcoming to The Chai Room- Robert Emms. 

We discussed his new project The Choral, which is out in cinemas right now- make sure to check it out. P.S - the end made me cry and we discuss that.  We also discuss his new project Bad Apples. 

This was such a great insight into the mind of an Actor. We chatted about the concept of idolising and hero worshipping the creatives you might be working with to the truth and subtext of acting. H...

Welcome to the Chai Room 👀☕️ Francesca Gamble

I had such a magnetic time with Fran and felt very empowered after our chat. It was such a healing insight into what your mind can look like when you do the work and dare to be brave. How we can lead and stand in the mosh pit of it all, the good, the bad and everything in between. It was also wonderful to have an insight into the business of a fast pace service industry, that often wor...

We are BACK!

Season 7! 

Welcoming to The Chai Room for our first episode is the legendary actor Nabil Elouahabi. 

Nabil’s television credits span an impressive range of critically acclaimed series, including Quarter Life, FBI: International, the BAFTA-winning Blue Lights, Unforgotten, Breeders, The Tower, Time, Our Girl, His Dark Materials, Deep State, The Missing, The Night Of, 24: Live Another Day, Top Boy, and the Emmy-nominated...

I know Season 6 has wrapped up but I had this episode sitting in the vaults so before we get into Season 7 (Next Year EEEK!) Enjoy this beautiful conversation with actor Faraz Ayub. 

p.s- I am very ill so enjoy my husky deep. voice in the begining and let me know what was the drink you sipped on or what was your favourite part of the episode. 

Topics Breakdown: 

• Workshopping the s...

If this isn't the most Musical episode then I don't know what is!

I would like to set a challenge of counting how many impromptu singing moments there are in the episode and the correct answer gets a £10 Nando's Gift Card ;). 

Such a joy discussing acting, music and entrepreneurship with Actor & Musician Kush Khanna. 

Topics Breakdown: 

• Discussing Projects such as  - Lime Green/ Boogieman/ Temple/ Patiala House
• Prep work fo...

I love a giddy chat and this was that! 

Firstly, this episode is also available as Video so check that out now on Spotify and Youtube. Secondly, this is going to be a 2-parted episode because we had too much to talk about. 

Soooooo- Enjoy part 1 with the beaut Actor and Musician Kush Khanna. Discussing all things music, family, friendships, spirituality and more. 

Topics Breakdown: 

• Can you Improv Tho?-  x4 Quick Questions set ...

Firstly, I am on a hunt for a new Chai recipe so erm please can you slide into the DM's and let me know of any new recipe's and flavours to try. 

Secondly! What a joy to get to talk with the cast & crew from the play "Permission" at The Space in London. We discussed all things representation, ACE Funding, reflections on the play and its content but also the approach to writing and acting - as well team work. 

A lot of nuggets i...

Such a bold and beautiful chat with Director, Producer and Artist Jordi. M Carter on how culture and the industry shapes us. How we are working to find our identity and placement, how we can be in service to art and the artists. 

Topics Breakdown: 

• When was the most euphoric or happiest you were in your job?
• Walk away Lessons learnt from the following: Young Vic Associates , Theatre Peckham Young and Boundless and how did oppor...

The Final part with Gurkiran Kaur as we discuss Kundalini Yoga, South Asian work in UK theatre, voice and dialect coaching andddd of course GAMES!

Topics Breakdown:

• Approach and pathway into Gurkiran's Voice/ Dialect Coaching.
• How does your practice challenge or Better you work as an actor? And do you feel like you have a balance of it sometimes? Even from a sustainable perspective? 
• Transparent conversations around programming...

This is going to be a two-parted episode as we had so much to talk on from voice coaching to the culture of British South Asian Theatre and more!

Such a joy to speak with actor and Voice/Dialect Coach Gurkiran Kaur . 

Topics Breakdown:

• Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings. 
• How did she get into acting and where did that passion stem from?
• Difference mentally, financially and experience wise from first ac...

It all went down in the underworld!

From discussing spirituality, placement of your craft as an artist, career trajectory, mindset of being a creative. To the love for the exquisite premium vanilla that is Taylor Swift and everything in between. T'was a joy to share a cuppa with the exuberant soul that is Zachary James. 

Topics Breakdown: 

• Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings. 
• Hadestown-  Where do you f...

We are back with delicious and juicy interviews and what a lineup I have coming for you babsies. 

Warm up your cuppa because actor and writer Zakiyyah Deen is in the building and we spill it all. From discussing Why a Black Woman will never be a Prime Minister of the UK to how to pitch your theatre projects and your boundaries as an artist. 

Topics breakdown: 

• Can you Improv though- New Warm up games.
• Zakiyyah's current play- "...

Grabbed a cuppa with the talented Ra'eesah to discuss her writing process for "38%" an audio story for the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads. We also discussed her unique voice as an artist, organisational make up of the theatre industry and of course poetry. 

Also, with this I conclude the series of discussing BTS stuff and more with the writers behind Symphonies of Beaded Threads. I hope you enjoyed it and more to come! 

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