\u201cWhen you are from the South Asian community, you\u2019re under pressure to have something lucrative to fall back on,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt stems from our parents struggles when first arriving in the UK and the huge sacrifices they made making sure we had a comfortable life. I opted for accounting as my sister was qualifying as a lawyer. I knew it would be a great skill to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many years after graduation, Sajid put his TV career on pause whilst caring for his unwell father but a chance meeting on holiday in Los Angeles led him back to film.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn LA, I met a young Muslim filmmaker, Lena Khan, who discussed her film \u2018The<\/em> Tiger Hunter\u2019<\/em>. I was keen to know more and asked to read the script. There was something very special about her. I decided to help her produce it and as a team, we raised cash and got some big stars on the cast including Jon Heder,\u201d continues Sajid. \u201cIt was a great production, by a Muslim woman, which was a rarity \u2013 but it shouldn\u2019t be.\u201d Lena has since gone on to direct for Disney and Netflix.<\/p>\n His experience on this project, coupled with the gut-wrenching murder of a friend\u2019s father by a right-wing nationalist in 2013, spawned a desire to transform Muslim representation on-screen.<\/p>\n Following work on The Tiger Hunter, Sajid was awarded the supporting lead in a comedy film, \u2018The Chop<\/em>\u2019, written and directed by the talented Lewis Rose.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved the script so much I came on board as an executive producer. We went on to win over 54 international awards. This film brought together Jewish and Muslim characters and handled both communities in a nuanced and sensitive way. The way the film was received showed me that bridges can be built, and stereotypes can be challenged, but more was needed to be done to make a real difference in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n Sajid launched charity, UK Muslim Film,<\/a> in April last year with the motto \u2018Change the Script\u2019. The organisation aims to transform the way Muslims are represented on-screen and ensure greater opportunities across all areas of production.<\/p>\n \u201cSince 9\/11 there has been an influx of storylines centred around Muslims as terrorists, misogynists, that Muslim women are oppressed, and that Islam is a threat to the West. These tropes are dangerous and have a real-world impact. For those with pre-existing anxieties, these stories just confirm their engrained prejudice\u201d.<\/p>\n Sajid explained how the industry has been slow to open the door to minority ethnic talent.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many talented Muslim creatives and those from other underrepresented groups that find it hard to get a foothold into the industry, it is in some ways elitist and there are barriers to entry\u201d.<\/p>\n The charity is a hub aimed at facilitating connections between decision-makers and creatives to advance more Muslims into TV and film, with planned screenings and networking events throughout the year leading up to the Muslim International Film Festival scheduled for late 2022. UKMF also advises the entertainment industry on how to authentically represent Muslims on-screen and have already consulted on several productions.<\/p>\n Sajid\u2019s work got him noticed and he is now co-chair for the British Film Institute<\/a> Screen Advisory Group for diversity.<\/p>\n \u201cThe industry has been supportive, with special thanks to Jennifer Smith \u2013 Head of Inclusion at the BFI who has also been instrumental in advocating for change across the industry. We are honoured to be working alongside the BFI to create a new level of guidance,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not every day you have that honour.\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside the charity work, Sajid\u2019s current accolades include producing a children\u2019s TV series with feature films and documentaries also in the works while working day-to-day in the tech, as he has done for the last 24 years.<\/p>\n \u201cMy Business School days have played a huge part in my current path and successes in life,\u201d concludes Sajid. \u201cPractically, I use techniques taught on my course \u2013 dealing with the financial side of film production or managing my charity. Business is conducted everywhere \u2013 not just in city banks or large corporations, but in life, including the creative industries, such as film and TV.\u201d<\/p>\n UKMF is creating a culture where Muslims on screen are recognised, embraced and celebrated by audiences worldwide. Find out more here: UK Muslim Film.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Universities UK #MadeAtUni campaign – Creative Sparks<\/a> celebrates the immense contribution of UK universities to the nation\u2019s creative industries and encourages the government to promote and support the importance of creativity and creative courses.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kbs-news-events\/files\/2022\/01\/Sajid-3-750-x-493-1.jpg\")
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