“A good journalist doesn’t always play friendly – in fact, they mostly don’t”
Chunkyz Shisha Lounge is home away from home for Jihad, Rashid and Asif, a space where community whispers are heard, jokes are shared, and new hustles are born.
When aspiring journalist Jihad wins the chance to make his own documentary, he sets out to give voice to his community and challenge the usual stereotypes that fill the airwaves. But in a media landscape that profits off fear, how far can one voice really go?
Olivier Award-nominated Blue Mist is a sharp, darkly funny story about truth, trust and ambition. Written by Mohamed-Zain Dada (Dizzy, Speed), directed by Milli Bhatia (Speed, seven methods of killing kylie jenner).
We caught up with cast member Kashif Ghole who plays Asif.
What can you tell me about Blue Mist as your role as Asif?
Blue Mist is a story about our friendship, loyalty, and the challenges that come with growing through difficult times. In our story it shows how individual hardships, opportunities and, a lack of can affect not only our own lives but also the relationships we share with others. As each of us face our own obstacles, our actions and emotions begin to influence the spaces we share together. The story examines how these pressures test the strength of our bonds and how the choices we make in response can either bring us closer or drive us apart.
Blue Mist is a story about our friendship, loyalty, and the challenges that come with growing through difficult times. In our story it shows how individual hardships, opportunities and, a lack of can affect not only our own lives but also the relationships we share with others. As each of us face our own obstacles, our actions and emotions begin to influence the spaces we share together. The story examines how these pressures test the strength of our bonds and how the choices we make in response can either bring us closer or drive us apart.
Asif finds sanctuary at Chunkyz Shisha Lounge alongside Jihad and Rashid. How would you describe the specific dynamic Asif brings to this trio, and how do you build that home away from home chemistry with your co-stars on stage?
Asif, in many ways, can be described as the joy of the group. He is the clown who makes them laugh through tough times with his theories, inspired by his community, and his natural ability to charm and entertain anyone he meets. He is also someone you can speak to and vent to; someone who gives respect without ever demanding or needing it, or anything in return. He is someone who will take the time to make sure your issue is resolved and that your feelings or experiences aren't dismissed, but validated. Understanding and seeing the familiarity in Asif and the other boys is how we create that home away from home, because we either all know an Asif in our lives or have a bit of Asif in us.
Asif, in many ways, can be described as the joy of the group. He is the clown who makes them laugh through tough times with his theories, inspired by his community, and his natural ability to charm and entertain anyone he meets. He is also someone you can speak to and vent to; someone who gives respect without ever demanding or needing it, or anything in return. He is someone who will take the time to make sure your issue is resolved and that your feelings or experiences aren't dismissed, but validated. Understanding and seeing the familiarity in Asif and the other boys is how we create that home away from home, because we either all know an Asif in our lives or have a bit of Asif in us.
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| In rehearsals. Photo by Ali Wright. |
Blue Mist explores the push-and-pull of diaspora identity. What are the specific internal conflicts Asif faces as a young South Asian Muslim man, and how do you ground those complex emotions in your performance?
Conflicts such as feeling inadequate, undervalued, unworthy of respect, or unable to be a strong pillar for his family stem from the reality of navigating an uneven playing field alongside peers who do not look like him or share his struggles and life experiences. I ground these emotions by finding familiarity in Asif—who he is, what he represents, and the responsibilities placed upon him to find success and provide for those who depend on him.
Asif could be me, my cousin, or any number of my friends. In many ways, he reflects the lived reality of many South Asian Muslim men.
The play beautifully balances heavy, politicised themes with humour and shared jokes. How do you approach the comedic timing in Mohamed-Zain Dada’s script without losing the underlying tension of the story?
In my opinion, I do this by understanding the language of the play. I found it really easy to connect to, and I also understand that the jokes add validity to the struggles the play explores. The humour serves as a way of coping with frustration and rising tension, while also highlighting the pressures that build throughout the story and eventually lead to its breaking point.
In my opinion, I do this by understanding the language of the play. I found it really easy to connect to, and I also understand that the jokes add validity to the struggles the play explores. The humour serves as a way of coping with frustration and rising tension, while also highlighting the pressures that build throughout the story and eventually lead to its breaking point.
The central conflict of the play revolves around a system that profits off fear and stereotypes. As an actor, how does it feel to perform a piece that so directly interrogates and dissects the UK media's agenda surrounding young Muslim men?
It's always a great opportunity to be part of these conversations and help bring them to the forefront, whether that's to educate people or simply shed light on these very real experiences. As an actor, I think this kind of work gives us the confidence to speak up against the injustices we face due to prejudice, regardless of whether it's within the industry or in our everyday lives. I also think it would be a waste of the platform and opportunity that comes with holding the attention of a large audience if I wasn't using it to shed light on issues that matter.
Blue Mist explores what happens when a community's reality is commodified for an industry that wasn't built for them. Did working on this production change or deepen your own perspective on how British media portrays South Asian communities?
It has definitely given me a deeper perspective, but it has also shown me just how bad things can be and how deep the rabbit hole of hate speech and hate-mongering goes. It has helped me understand why there is such a divide within our community, what causes that divide, and how we are often put up against ourselves.
Your character's friend, Jihad, struggles to balance ambition with his values. Does Asif act as a sounding board, a reality check, or a source of pressure for Jihad during this journey?
Asif is definitely a reality check for Jihad. He keeps things straightforward, says it how it is unapologetically, and genuinely wants the best for Jihad. He cares deeply about his friend, which is why he takes it so personally when Jihad’s struggles begin to affect their friendship.
Asif is definitely a reality check for Jihad. He keeps things straightforward, says it how it is unapologetically, and genuinely wants the best for Jihad. He cares deeply about his friend, which is why he takes it so personally when Jihad’s struggles begin to affect their friendship.
His honesty comes from a place of love and concern, and his passion for their friendship makes those moments of tension and conflict hit even harder.
Director Milli Bhatia has a remarkable track record for helming powerful, politically sharp theatre. What has the collaborative process been like working with her to bring Asif to life?
Working with Milli has been one of my favourite processes. She has always given me the freedom to explore ideas and find my own version of Asif. My portrayal will never be exactly the same as the original, and she has always encouraged that, seeing it as the ideal approach. She creates an environment where I can comfortably share my reality as a young South Asian Muslim man, and she understands the complexities of that reality, both the good and the bad. Her openness and trust have allowed me to develop the character honestly, and I wouldn’t want our working dynamic to be any other way.
What would you hope someone to take away from seeing Blue Mist?
I hope people can recognise the importance of our stories, our sense of community, and the spaces we create, and take these things seriously. I hope that anyone who has made comments out of ignorance whether through prejudice, misunderstanding, or misinformation—can gain a different perspective and rethink their views. I would also like to see young men in our community feel more comfortable speaking openly about their struggles and finding healthy ways to support one another through them. Ultimately, I hope these conversations encourage greater understanding, empathy, respect, and connection while helping people see the value of our experiences.
I hope people can recognise the importance of our stories, our sense of community, and the spaces we create, and take these things seriously. I hope that anyone who has made comments out of ignorance whether through prejudice, misunderstanding, or misinformation—can gain a different perspective and rethink their views. I would also like to see young men in our community feel more comfortable speaking openly about their struggles and finding healthy ways to support one another through them. Ultimately, I hope these conversations encourage greater understanding, empathy, respect, and connection while helping people see the value of our experiences.
Blue Mist plays out on tour;
Leeds Playhouse | 17-20 June | Get tickets
Peterborough, Key Theatre | 30 June – 03 July | Get tickets
London, Theatre Royal Stratford East | 10-14 July | Get tickets
Birmingham Rep | 22-25 July | Get tickets
Leicester, Curve Theatre | 28-30 July | Get tickets
Peterborough, Key Theatre | 30 June – 03 July | Get tickets
London, Theatre Royal Stratford East | 10-14 July | Get tickets
Birmingham Rep | 22-25 July | Get tickets
Leicester, Curve Theatre | 28-30 July | Get tickets
For more information visit https://boundlesstheatre.org.uk/productions/blue-mist/
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| The cast in rehearsals. Photo by Ali Wright. |
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