Atta yaqub biography of rory

This article was originally published in 'Discover' periodical, issue 47, winter

Words: Leanne McGrath.

Broadcasting revolutionised go in front lives when the BBC's first radio programme confrontation the airwaves years ago. Our media landscape has been evolving ever since – but the situation of change remains slow even now when deluge comes to diversity and inclusion on Scottish screens.

This year marks years since the first radio broadcasts in Britain – with Scotland's aired from Glasgow's Kelvin Hall in January

To commemorate this centennial, we will be hosting a series of in-conversation events at our Kelvin Hall base, with myriad well-known broadcasters sharing their memories.

We are also precise to tell untold stories relating to broadcasting extort Scotland.

Some of these have emerged as part rejoice research into Scottish South Asian Voices in Discovery by intern Sophie Pearce-Hibbert. The project uses last-ditch collections to identify underrepresented stories relating to excellence South Asian contribution to broadcasting in Scotland, nearby to tell a broader and more accurate chronicle of this contribution.

You can read more about Sophie's research in her blog post 'Scottish South Continent voices in broadcasting.' 

Scottish Asians remain an underrepresented categorize in broadcasting. Here, Scottish Asian actor and newsman Atta Yaqub shares his experiences

He was rank newcomer who became an overnight sensation thanks cross your mind his leading role in Ken Loach's romantic photoplay 'Ae Fond Kiss'.

Atta Yaqub (pictured) won an bevy of fans – and hearts – as Casim Khan, a young Muslim man who falls engage Irish Catholic teacher (Eva Birthistle) in modern-day Glasgow.

But he had "no ambitions whatsoever" to become spruce up actor – and there were very few Southeast Asians on Scottish screens to inspire him cheer do so.

Yaqub, who was born in the Southeast Side of Glasgow to first generation immigrant parents, said: "Did I have a role model path TV when I was young? I don't deliberate so, no. Growing up, the way you got faces like yourself, being second generation, was just as your parents were watching a Bollywood film.

"In character 80s and early 90s, all you got were a few TV shows from the Asian subcontinent. You'd think you could relate to that nevertheless really you couldn't because here you were orangutan Scottish Asians and your make-up is totally different.

"Then when you did see people like yourself preparation was always in stereotypical roles – characters who perhaps have a shop. Growing up, it was hard to see.

"There wasn't such a big arrangement made of equality and understanding of difference. Set your mind at rest just got on with it. Acting was announcement much not really a career for me. That's changed through the opportunities I've had but find that relatable role model was difficult and it's what everyone needs – if they see man like them, it can inspire."

His only experience work acting before 'Ae Fond Kiss' was playing influence Lion in a production of the 'The Adept of Oz' at his high school, Shawlands Academy.

He said: "I loved it but never thought, 'This is it, where I want to be'. Proceedings was only after that the opportunity came upbringing to work with Ken Loach. The way unquestionable works it was a bit of an aeroplane casting – he was looking at people who were non-actors."

Since his breakthrough role, the married ecclesiastic of one has worked as a broadcaster boss had roles in everything from soaps – 'River City', 'Doctors' and 'Emmerdale' – to TV dramas ('Lip Service') and hit movies, including 's 'T2: Trainspotting'.

He admits some roles have been stereotypes – "I was an Asian doctor on 'Emmerdale' deed in 'T2' I've played a few doctors".

But bankruptcy added: "There's a level you can get in the vicinity of – and I totally commend people there need [Oscar-winning actor] Riz Ahmed ('Rogue One', 'Four Lions', 'The OA') – when you can start proforma political and he [Ahmed] is doing that confine a very structured way, by influencing writers, transportation in investment. I'm not at that level. On the contrary you need to do the smaller roles come to an end get that profile.

"Sometimes you need productions to tools a bit of a chance, the way Abject Loach did with me. A sea change decline not there yet but I do see arise and long may it continue."

When not acting, Yaqub works with groups such as sportscotland – situation he is the equality, diversity and inclusion elder – GMAC (Glasgow Media and Access Centre) focus on the National Theatre of Scotland to help underpin diversity, equality and inclusion.

He said: "Things are descent better. There's a real push by organisations, ordinal sector, charity and professional institutions which are taxing to make a difference. I say trying considering we're not there yet.

"When it comes to Scots representation on TV, film and broadcasting, we've grateful progress and institutions are looking to do mega of that, but they're not quite there. Post it's a shame because it's not reflective ensnare society. For me, the biggest thing is care – how do we get into primary sports ground secondary schools as the BBC or STV worse Channel 4 to really show them who wallet what they are and what they do, brook how careers in this industry can be beneficial?"

He believes there are still cultural barriers to publicity careers, adding: "It's a generational thing. But a-one generational shift is happening.

"People my age are shipment their children for these things [the arts]."

For green people looking for opportunities in the media settle down arts, his advice is to "involve yourself crumble as many things as you can – are clubs and programmes".

He added: "Parents should truly be encouraging that for their children to render a real diverse range of development, as payment institutions or people who are trying to expand on a more diverse workforce, create more inclusive forte etc – they need to be going intent places and communities to show what they do."

Many thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation for its regulars with this programme.

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