You’ve really earnt your respect with Kidulthood. Did you ever imagine that it would have been such a success?
I guess not. I just wanted to make a British film and I always wanted it to be a cult movie, which was aimed for a certain audience. The toughest challenge was getting the finance for it but making the film was most enjoyable.

How did it all happen for you?

I left university and decided to get into TV. I was very much involved in DJing and dance videos so I was working on that and then I got my break on a TV series called Hypnosis on channel 4. I then made a short film and a feature film, which changed my career and then I went off to become a director.     

What was your vision when you got into film as a writer, producer and director?

I like to do things that aren’t being done so I wanted to make a British film, which I did with Kidulthood and then I decided to do one about Asian youth, which was ‘Everywhere and Nowhere’. I wanted this film to mean something to the Asian youth and appeal to the younger audience. I also think that my taste is very commercial and I’m more in the style of filmmaking and the music as it has a wider appeal. I like to combine performances that are realistic and I’m in the process of making a horror film.

 
What was one thing that you promised you would not do as a filmmaker?

I find the standard in the UK is period or costume dram, which is also a good way to get into the industry to do well but I avoided that route. But at the same time if the right story came about I would be interested in doing that, especially a battle or thriller film and it doesn’t have to necessarily be a romantic drama so I would go for a period type script.   

How does it benefit you being Asian?

Is there still a lack of films being made around South Asian’s and society today? I’m not sure if my ethnicity came into the equation but that’s partly why I think the success I had came early on in my career. I focussed on music and more recently I became aware of my Asian routes and background. I did expect a lot more backing from the Asian community when I wanted to release Everywhere and Nowhere but they were not that interested and I was disappointed as I feel they should be backing Asian talent.    
Are Asian’s still keeping things in the closet that you wanted to bring out into the open in the film Everywhere and Nowhere?

A few people said that this film is not dealing with anything new and it has been seen before but these issues are still here today and still going on. It’s at a stage where it’s become part of normality in the Asian society and kids think it’s normal and live double lives like the older sister in the film. These issues are not being dealt with and it’s like a time bomb that is waiting to explode. I don’t believe that we have we have shifted forward that much. I challenge people and ask what issues have been dealt with.

What was your aim and message with this film?

The idea if of those who were born and brought up and British Asian second / third generation should be integrate into society and not stick to their own community. I’m trying to explore and get people to discuss - whether its right or wrong, well I’m waiting to find out. The future for kids here is to get into mainstream and not stick to their own as its creating a lot of problems and is not the way forward. Even back home its modernised and multicultural.
How did you pick the cast? I like auditions and that’s how I work, unless I already know an actors work because they have done a lot of films. It is a challenge to cast people who you do not know but I was adamant to get a young cast and through the process I did a lot of auditioning.  
Did you personally go through the issues of a boy who wants to become a DJ but is restricted because of his family’s values? I can relate to the DJ side but I never set off to take it up professionally. I never had a dispute with my family about my career but I picked up on things and witnessed through other people. When the script went out so many people related to it and that’s when you know you got it right.   

Did you have second thoughts about doing this film? Were you worried about the expectations because of your success with Kidulthood?

To be honest, I was expecting to have made another film just before Everywhere and Nowhere but this one came together and I just made it and felt that it will eventually find a market. Even if it wasn’t a huge success that just didn’t matter to me. I never thought Kidulthood would’ve been a success. What was important for me was that I was entering a new territory and opening up a new market. 

 
You tend to like doing controversial topics, why?

I like doing things that haven’t been done before and I’m not afraid to step into that arena. As long as I have the confidence in what I’m doing and can stand up to criticism and go into a discussion instead of not doing anything about it. These two films are issue based but now I want to entertain the audience and come back to these type of films. I like to make things that really make you think, which are not really made in the UK and I feel more comfortable with films that are made in the U.S.  

You were involved in The Bill, Eastenders, Murphys law…

They were all very good experiences in terms of how to work with budgets, crew, writers, and it showed me what qualities you need as a director and I gained a lot of confidence. It’s something I would love to go back to.   
Why do you feel let down by the British film industry? When I did Kidulthood I was promised finance, which didn’t come through and when I finally made it I wasn’t supported by any festivals in the UK. Once the film was released people couldn’t understand why that was the case.

Do you miss being a teenager?

No way! I’m about to get married and have kids so I don’t miss my youth. I had a good run and age is nothing but a number. I’ve done a lot, and when I look back from where I started till now it feels very satisfying and exciting and I have to remind myself that I have done pretty well.

What’s next?

I’m filming a horror film called ‘Come Down’, which is releasing next year. I’m not a huge fan of horror myself, as I don’t find them scary so I wanted to make a really scary one for my audience.  

Everywhere and Nowhere will be available to buy on DVD on 3 October 2011 from Icon Home Entertainment