Ajay Chhabra (born 28 November 1970) is a British television and theatre actor, director, producer and comedian of Indo-Fijian heritage, who is best known for playing Anil in The Basil Brush Show, The Vicar, Suresh Mattai in the BBC Radio series The Archers and the Defense Barrister George Karnad in Holby City. Ajay, and Simmy Gupta are co-Artistic Directors of Nutkhut, and founder of the London Mela (Europe's largest South Asian festival).
Early life Before turning professional he worked in the Hotel and Events sector. He studied Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London and Hospitality Management at Westminster Hotel School and the University of North London. He trained at Grosvenor House Hotel and Beck Hotels in Austria, completing his training at the University of Innsbruck.
Career He created and played Stanley in Kafka's Dick by Alan Bennett and developed his own series Planet Ajay for the BBC, creating and playing four characters – himself, his evil twin brother, Badjay, a space serpent: Jaleel the Eel and his maternal grandmother, Naniji, using green screen technology.
In 1995 he made his West End debut in Indian Ink by Tom Stoppard alongside Felicity Kendal, Art Malik and the late Margaret Tyzack. He has worked for BBC Radio Drama reading works exclusively for V S Naipaul and Salman Rushdie.
From 2002 to 2007, he played Anil the café owner in the children's TV series The Basil Brush Show.
Come to Kochi, an 8 part series which Chhabra presented from the Southern Indian state of Kerala, is now taught as part of the National Curriculum.
He has directed and performed for Diesel Clothing Company in Italy, Greece, Holland, Germany and Denmark, bringing together fashion and theatre in creating a theatrical presentation of Spring/Summer collections with catwalk models, classical dancers and actors.
In 2011 he created and performed a virtual customer of the future for the Senior Executive board of HSBC bank in Canary Wharf, London and at its headquarters in Hong Kong, enabling senior directors to execute future customer account profiles.
As part of the centenary commemorations of the First World War, created by Chhabra, over 50,000 people experienced Dr Blighty at Brighton's Royal Pavilion Gardens. The projections spread far and wide on social media and were seen by over a million people online.
Dr Blighty threw a spotlight on the Indians who travelled across the world to fight for the Allies during the First World War. More than one million men travelled from India to fight in the Great War. The event successfully brought to life the experiences of the injured Indian soldiers sent to recuperate in Brighton and the locals who came to know and care for them.
Chhabra is a board member of The Independent Street Arts Network (ISAN) and a member of the Mayor of London Cultural Leadership Board.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Second Generation Talvin 2002 Bend It Like Beckham Party Guest 2002 Anita and Me Mr. Bhatra 2003 The Audition Sargent Short film 2005 Project Huxley Colin 2021 Tom and Jerry Mr. Mehta
Television Year Title Role Notes 1998, 2007 Casualty Ravi SangeraFelix Spencer Episodes: "Internal Inferno: Part 1""Sweet Charity" 1998 The Bill Mr. Wadia Episode: "Christmas Star" 2002–2007 The Basil Brush Show Anil 2003 Holby City George Karnad Episodes: "The One You Love: Part 1""The One You Love: Part 2" 2005 Dream Team Doctor Episode: "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" 2009 Planet Ajay Ajay / Badjay / Naniji / Jaleel the Eel 2012 Hunted Pakistani Driver Episode: "Khyber" 2016 Marcella Shop Owner Episode #1.1 2017 Hetty Feather Deerheart Episode: "Plans" 2017 Carters Get Rich Waiter Episode #1.2 2018 BBC3 Quickies (TV Mini-Series) Dad When You Disappoint Your Parents 2018 The Jewish Enquirer (TV Series) Mike Geddis MP Feathers & Foreskins 2019 Four Weddings and a Funeral (TV Series) Rafik Lights, Camera, Wedding 2020 Vera (TV Series) Nasir Ali Blood Will Tell
References
External links
BBC.co.uk TV.com