After extensive film and television roles over recent years Amar Adatia is certainly one of Britain’s fast rising superstars of screen, gaining recognition for his production, writing and screen roles from UK and International directors has now led to Amar becoming the lead actor in new British comedy film Krish and Lee which also stars Richard Blackwood, Jessica Jane Clement, Liz Mclarnon and many more. Amar sat down with us to have a little chat to tell us a little more about him.
You started out acting at a very young age, 14 I believe? In a major Bollywood blockbuster Kabhie Khushi, Khabie Gham starring with some pretty big Bollywood names. I bet at the age of 14 that was pretty overwhelming. How did this role even come your way considering you were born in Essex?
Yes that’s true I started professionally acting at a very young age thanks to the push from my family. My parents have always been go-getters and very ambitious and so I guess in a way I was born into that kind of mind frame. My mum saw the opportunity for auditions in an Indian newspaper and she asked me if I would want to try out. Of course, I said yes! Initially, it was just for fun but soon enough I loved the buzz of a film set and I was hooked!
That role obviously gave you the passion to move into films on a permanent basis, you have a pretty extensive list of TV shows and films under your belt. Which one of these was your favourite to star in and why?
For me, this is an obvious one. Never have I felt as alive and excited as when I was filming “Krish and Lee.” This is because I was not only acting but I’d written and produced it as well. This was ‘my baby’ and there’s no greater buzz than seeing a story I had written come to life. On top of that, the cast and crew were a fantastic bunch and we all worked really well together.
Flavourmag love to dig for an exclusive, who was the sexiest actress you’ve worked alongside? And did you try it on at any point? We would love to hear some gossip. (This is meant to be a fun question, don’t take it too seriously).
As I wrote the film, ‘Krish and Lee’ I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by the sexiest actresses. I mean, why not?! I even threw in a little kissing scene in there for myself! (This being the first time I’ve had to kiss anyone on camera!) Obviously I picked the lead actress, the beautiful Jessica Jane Stafford and sadly I cannot report any funny business as she is very happily married! However, just as we were about to film our kissing scene, Jess knew I was nervous and decided to wind me up by eating a packet of smelly cheese and onion crisps right before the scene. I never looked at her the same way ever again!
Back to the serious stuff, you’re also a producer, writer and director, sometimes this seems like a natural progression for today’s actors but what was reason to falling into these areas?
In the past, being a British Asian, roles have always been quite scarce. I had so many ideas but not as many opportunities so I decided to make my own. I love acting but I also love seeing a project develop from ideas in my mind to reality.
You have a new film coming out, ‘Krish and Lee’, which you star in as well as having written and directed. Can you tell us about the film?
It’s a story about two lovable losers who get fired from their call centre jobs. After spending all their money in a crazy month of partying, they have no money to pay to their landlord, Olu, who gives the boys 48 hours to pay their rent or else ‘things will get biblical’. With the clock ticking, the boys are forced to embark on an adventure that sees them get involved with two warring London gangsters, a gang of money laundering gypsies, a terrorist gang, a cross dressing dwarf and much more! I guess you could call it a comedy and love story all in one!
It stars some names which we are all familiar with such as Richard Blackwood, Jodie Marsh and Big Narstie to name a few, How did you manage to get these guys on board for the film and what were they like to work with?
On writing the film, I knew who I envisaged for each role and I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with anyone else! Like most people, I had my perceptions of each of them and I can confidently say that the film would not have been the same without any of them. Jodie Marsh is one of the most determined and hard-working people I have ever come across and she did a fantastic job, especially as it was her first ever acting role in a feature film. Richard Blackwood is one of the funniest comedians and actors I have ever worked with and Big Narstie is a comedic genius without even realising! Ayden Callaghan (Hollyoaks) was a pleasure to work with and due to his acting past, he taught me a great deal and still continues to do so. Sadly, I can’t report that there were any big egos or tantrums! J
THE RELEASE DATE FOR KRISH AND LEE IS YET TO BE CONFIRMED.