PODCAST · arts
Chai with Rai
by raimuitfum
Cuppa filled conversations about Entertainment, Food & Fitness.Hosted by Writer, Director and Actor Raimu Itfum. Chai with Rai is a weekly life and culture podcasts diving into the business and mindset of being a creative.
Episodes
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"An Ode: Reframing the Classics"
Presenting the Second Audio Collections Series, produced by Chai with Rai and titled An Ode: Reframing the Classics. In 2025, in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Community Centre at London Bankside, we introduced a new audio series: An Ode: Reframing the Classics—continuing its mission to amplify...
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“I hear that... but” w/ Bethany Henry Gemmell
On today’s episode, I’m joined by writer Bethany Henry Gemmell for a special end-of-year conversation. It felt like the perfect way to close out the final episode of 2026—thoughtful, generous, and deeply inspiring. This marks Bethany’s second time on the podcast (or, as I like to call it, the…
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“Being Arab, Being Queer” w/ Tarek Khwiss
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...
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“Taking Form” w/ Punya Rajput
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…
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“Imagery appears” w/ Amar Bains
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…
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“Going into my 30's” w/ Rupinder Kaur
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...
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“Call me by my Name” w/ Bolly Illusion
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...
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“Softly and Gently” w/ Robert Emms
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...
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“Get your juices flowing” w/ Francesca Gamble
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...
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“Hope through reality ” w/ Nabil Elouahabi
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...
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“Acting is an art and science” w/ Faraz Ayub (BONUS EPISODE)
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…
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Welcome to Chai with Rai
Welcome to Chai with Rai. The Podcast for the Creative in You!
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“Consent me D#*K Pics” w/ Kush Khanna
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 &...
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“My Mariah Moment” w/ Kush Khanna
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....
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“Matching Energy” w/ the cast & crew of Permission (The Play)
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...
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“This is what I know” w/ Jordi M. Carter
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...
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“Sangat and Community” w/ Gurkiran Kaur
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…
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“Pay it Forward” w/ Gurkiran Kaur
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....
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“Daddy’s Kittens” w/ Zachary James
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…
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“I’ve been Born’t” w/ Zakiyyah Deen
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…
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“True Shakeup” w/ Ra'eesah
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…
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“Thinking Tiramisu” w/ Riana Howarth
Sat down with the wordsmith that is Riana Howarth to discuss a blossoming and emerging career in theatre and more. We also dove into her audio story "She'd Sit" from the audio series "Symphonies of Beaded Threads"- the experience of writing that and what she hopes the listeners take from it.…
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“Outside of Gender” w/ Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
Had such a wonderful time discussing community and opportunity as freelance writers in the industry with the wonderful Gayathiri Kamalakanthan. And of course we discussed the writing process for the audio story "Chemo in the Summer". About Gayathiri: Gayathiri is a Tamil poet and sex education...
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“Sisters not Twins” w/ Bethany Gemmell
I have to say and say it I will! If you are a writer! You must and you must listen to structure and how just telling this conversation is especially if you are an emerging writer. So many great antidotes to take and implement into your world. Sitting down with the stunning Bethany Gemmell to...
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“YouTube Rabbit Holes” w/ Yasmine Dankwah
The incredible soul that is Yasmine Dankwah sat down and discussed her process of storytelling, YouTube rabbit holes and of course Spoken word vs poetry. Here is the link to Yasmine's short story titled "An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album " for Symphonies of Beaded Threads About…
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“Cats bring joy or Allergies” w/ Carmina Bernhardt
Finally and I mean Finally managed to get Carmina Bernhardt for an intevrview. Carrying on with the series we grabbed a cuppa and discussed the inspiration behind Carmina's piece "Brainfreeze" from the audio series "Symphonies of Beaded Threads" and her love of cats and more! About Carmina…
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“Lease on Life” w/ Afriya- Jasmine Nylander
Carrying on with the interview series with the writers from "Symphonies of Beaded Threads" diving into the mind of Afriya- Jasmine Nylander. who wrote the short story titled "Professional Daydreamer". About Afriya: Afriya-Jasmine Nylander is a Writer, Actor and Producer based in West London. She...
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“Risky Theatre” w/ Soria Hamidi
Excited to be releasing an interview series with the the writers from the short audio storytelling series on Chai with Rai "Symphonies of Beaded Threads". Let's warm up that delicious cuppa and dive into it with Soria Hamidi who wrote "Take my Picture" About Soria: Soria Hamidi is an Afghan...
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“Bloody: Just do it” w/ Vidya Patel
Getting into more deep chatter and games with the one and only Vidya Patel. Enjoy part 2 and you can also now listen to Part 1 HERE. In the episode we discuss: Culture of Dance commissioning. A tip on being financial savvy. A tip on funding, application how to get things done . A tip on dance...
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“Decision Making” w/ Vidya Patel
This is going to be a two-parted episode BECAUSE I just had to dive into this brilliant human's mind. Got to speak with the incredible Choreographer, Movement artist and wonderful human that is Vidya Patel. From connecting on Gujarati sayings to discussing decoding Classical Indian dance, it's...
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“Sexy and Violent” w/ Tibu Fortes
Part 2 aka the final part with actor Tibu Fortes. From discussing reverence of Shakespeare to co-op's ( not the retail store). In the episode we discuss: Co-Op's - 3 tools you learnt from on being on the agency side and now to switching to a complete overall management. Lessons you have learnt…
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“Inside You” w/ Tibu Fortes
Finally managed to sit down with the incredible mind that is Tibu Fortes. Warm up your cuppas as we dive into a 2-parted episode with the actor discussing his morning routines, acting tools/tricks and playing Martin Bashir in his recent work at The Park Theatre. In the episode we discuss: Since...
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Still Celebrating!
This is PART 2 (Final part of the 100 episode Celebration) Massive Thank you to all the guests Two Chickpeas in a Podcast, Zoha Rahman , Jay Jay Revlon, Sanjay Lago and Meghna Bhalla. HERE is the link to the Instagram unfiltered LIVE! To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai...
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100 Episodes of Chai!
Celebrating 100 Episodes of Chai with Rai with a very special episode co-hosted with Two Chickpeas in a Podcast, Zoha Rahman and featuring special guests Jay Jay Revlon, Sanjay Lago and Meghna Bhalla. Now this is part 1 of part 2 so keep an eye out for Part 2! And as we celebrate 100 episodes…
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Chemo in the Summer by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
This is the last story from our storytelling series Symphonies of beaded threads. I have loved working on this project, bringing you something more than just an interview or a chat on the podcast and also just flexing that producing/ directing skill in the audio world. I have also appreciated…
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Professional Daydreamer by Afriya- Jasmine Nylander
Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the seventh episode/ story titled "Professional Daydreamer" written and voiced by Afriya-Jasmine Nylander. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE. If you would like to Donate to this project...
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She’d Sit by Riana Howarth
Today's melodic story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Riana Howarth and is called "She'd Sit". The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE. If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in...
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Take my Picture by Soria Hamidi
We are in the second half of the storytelling series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and today's story is called "Take My Picture" by Soria Hamidi and voiced by Leila McQuaid . The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE. If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be...
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38% by Ra’eesah
Halfway there and today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded of Threads is titled "38%" by Ra’eesah. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE. If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in…
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Catherine by Bethany Gemmell
Happy Third Day! Today's story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Bethany Gemmell and is called "Catherine". Fun fact: it actually features Bethany's mum Catherine. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE. If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I...
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An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album by Yasmine Dankwah
Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the second episode titled "An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album" written and performed by Yasmine Dankwah. About Yasmine: Yasmine Dankwah is a British-Ghanaian spoken word artist and writer...
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Brainfreeze by Carmina Bernhardt
Today's episode marks the launch of a NEW series I am doing on Chai with Rai called Symphonies of Beaded Threads. This 8 episode short audio series, which I will dropping daily for the next 8 days ! Takes shape in different formats from poetry to spoken word to theatrical pieces, monologues and...
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”I’m Straight” w/ Vinay Jobanputra
The title says it all- I'm just saying 👀☕️. Part 2 with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community) Vinay Jobanputra. From discussing Queerness- in specific within the South Asian Community to art...
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”BollyQueer” w/ Vinay Jobanputra
This had to be a 2-parter because we couldn't stop the gup shup. So, grab a cuppa as we discuss things such as; gender identity, social norms around sexuality, Bollywood and how it's impacted the South Asian experience, Bollywood Dance (in specific UK) and it's constructs on gender/ sexuality…
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”Unethical Media” w/ Elias Jahshan
Firstly, I am so flabbergasted to have Elias Jahshan on here. I remember reading his articles in Gaytimes and then his book This Arab is Queer . Then for him to say YES to coming on the podcast and discuss journalism, today's climate around politics, sensitivity, identity and then querrness, the...
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”Your Ancestors Are Angry” w/ the cast & crew of Woman.Life. Freedom
From discussing negotiating skills with a zombie during a zombiepocalypse to creating a South Asian Theatre company in the UK to Fringe culture. A banterful episode with the cast and crew of Nalini Theatre's show Woman. Life. Freedom. A Massive thank you to Alicia Fernandes, Dhanush Giridhar,...
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”If you don’t want to kill someone, are you even in Love?” w/ Aamir Hassan and Amir Dean
From Love to finding yourself and your alignment to comedy and writing. This episode is jam packed with writer/ poet Aamir Hassan and Cabaret/ Drag Artist Amir Dean (Lady Bushra). Was so lovely to welcome them into the chai room and talking about their podcast "You Don't Love Me Boys" and certain...
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”Trauma Bonding” w/ cast & creatives of Asian Girls in Therapy
Sat down with the cast and creatives of Asian Girls in Therapy to talk all things playwriting, food and how trauma bonding can lead to creative juices flowing. Thank you to Gurjot Dhaliwal, Megan Soho and Racks Nieto. In the episode we talk about: Process of playwriting for fringe. Marketing,...
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”Question Everything” w/ Dhruv Dhody
I have looked at Dhruv's profile at least a hundred times and have gotten so much inspiration about not only embracing and diving into fashion but also how to live my life more authentically. Super excited for you all to listen to this episode as we talk ethics on tech, identity through saree's…
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”Liberated Queer” w/ Muz & Alia
The artwork alone of this episode should be sellable is all I am saying. I had such a wonderful time carrying on my chat with Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. We get into it from dating to dipping. p.s- we did have a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Cuppa filled conversations about Entertainment, Food & Fitness.Hosted by Writer, Director and Actor Raimu Itfum. Chai with Rai is a weekly life and culture podcasts diving into the business and mindset of being a creative.
HOSTED BY
raimuitfum
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Chai with Rai have?
Chai with Rai currently has 123 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Chai with Rai about?
Cuppa filled conversations about Entertainment, Food & Fitness.Hosted by Writer, Director and Actor Raimu Itfum. Chai with Rai is a weekly life and culture podcasts diving into the business and mindset of being a creative.
How often does Chai with Rai release new episodes?
Chai with Rai publishes regularly with 123 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Chai with Rai?
You can listen to Chai with Rai on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Chai with Rai?
Chai with Rai is created and hosted by raimuitfum.
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