Badi Uzzaman

Actor A familiar face on British TV and, as a supporting role, in several films Badi Uzzaman was best known for his role in The Singing Detective (1985). He also acted in My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), Brothers in Trouble (1995), My Son The Fantastic (1997), Mad Cows (1999), Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000), Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom (2004) and Another Year (2010). He also appeared in several TV programmes including Coronation Street, The Bill, Inspector Morse, Casualty, Cracker and Torchwood. Started as a radio presenter in Pakistan until the launch, in 1964, the state-owned television channel, PTV, where Badi Uzzaman began his acting career. His appearance, in 1984, in film Maila taking anti-martial law stance and felling foul of Pakistan's military dictatorship made him come to Britain on political asylum. He eventually gained British nationality. Born Muhammed Badi Uzzaman Azmi in Phulpur, in Azamgarh, India, he migrated with his parents to Abbottabad in Pakistan where his father worked on the railways. He graduated in English and Urdu in 1959.

Compiler: M. Nauman Khan