Masood Ahmed
| Masood Ahmed | |||||||||||||||||||
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Nitin Ganatra | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2007— | ||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 16 October 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Diederick Santer | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | EastEnders: E20 (2010) "East Street" (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Masood Ahmed is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nitin Ganatra.
Creation
Background
Masood was one of several Asian characters introduced in 2007 by executive producer Diederick Santer.[2] He was first seen in October 2007 as Walford's new postman. Masood was the fourth character in the Masood family to make an appearance on-screen, joining his wife Zainab (Nina Wadia) and daughter Shabnam (Zahra Ahmadi) who appeared in July 2007, and his son Tamwar (Himesh Patel) who appeared in October 2007. They are later joined in 2009 by their eldest son Syed (Marc Elliott). The Masoods were the first Muslim family to join the show since the Karims, who appeared between 1987 and 1990, and they were the first Asian family to be introduced since the unsuccessful Ferreira family in 2003. Panned by critics and viewers, the Ferreiras were dismissed as unrealistic by the Asian community in the UK, and were eventually axed in 2005.[3][4]
The introduction of more ethnic minority characters is part of Santer's plan to "diversify", to make EastEnders "feel more 21st century".[5] Prior to 2007, EastEnders was heavily criticised by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), for not representing the East End's real "ethnic make-up". It was suggested that the average proportion of visible minority faces on EastEnders was substantially lower than the actual ethnic minority population in East London boroughs, and it therefore reflected the East End in the 1960s, not the East End of the 2000s. Furthermore, it was suggested that an element of "tokenism" and stereotyping surrounded many of the minority characters in EastEnders.[6] The expansion of minority representation in EastEnders provides "more opportunities for audience identification with its characters, hence a wider appeal."[7] Trevor Phillips, CRE chair, said: "balanced representation of ethnic minority communities in the media matters. The industry has a key part to play in this, it is a powerful tool and can go a long way towards helping to build an integrated society."[8]
Casting
Ganatra, who appeared in Bride and Prejudice and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was cast in the role of Masood Ahmed.[9] Ganatra had never acted in a soap before his role in EastEnders. He commented: "I have grown up with this show and it seems to have become a part of the British fabric. But friends in America, Canada and India have all seen it or heard of it so it ain't [sic] just this island that it has an impact on... The executive producer, Diederick [Santer], along with casting agent Julia, have been very open and welcoming. I am nervous but excited. I have been watching the show and it is really gripping me. The quality of actors are great, so I am really looking forward to working with them."[2]
Ganatra and Wadia have previous experience of playing a married couple. Both starred alongside each other in the play D'Yer Eat With Your Fingers? Wadia commented: "I'm absolutely thrilled as he's a fantastic actor. It's great fun working with Nitin as we both speak Gujarati which means we can have a bit of fun on set!... He is a good friend. Another good thing about Mrs Masood's great relationship with her husband is that he shows her softer side — with him, you will get to see her smile!"[2][9]
Personality
Ganatra discussed his character in 2010, suggesting that Masood is very flexible: "You'll get a different response from him in almost every situation. He's not predicable. He has his lighter moments and then his darker moments. It gives a lot of colour to play with."[10]
Development
In December 2009, Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) attempt to con Masood and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), but they realise and double bluff them. Ganatra revealed that he enjoyed the storyline, "as I got to shout at Phil and Max a lot. As [Masood] I never get to act with anyone else other than his batty family. It was the first time I’ve exchanged any dialogue with Jake Wood and I’ve only said one line to Steve McFadden in two years."[11]
The character was indirectly involved in a storyline about Muslim homosexuality in 2010, when he discovered that his eldest son Syed was having an adulterous relationship with a man, Christian Clarke (John Partridge).[10] Discussing his character's reaction, Ganatra said, "Masood's world falls apart. [...] Masood has no idea what to do with what he's seen and ends up looking for advice from the imam at the mosque. [...] Masood's given a choice – either the community will disown the family or the family will have to disown Syed. [...] Masood [says] predatory things to Syed and Christian, teasing them about knowing. So in a very subtle way, he lets them both know that he's aware of what's going on and they'd better stop. [...] At first, it's not about what Syed's going through at all. It's about how it makes the family look. It's a very different dilemma to Zainab's. She's a reactive character, whereas Masood's pointing out that there's a bigger picture. Although Zainab appears to be the head of the household, they come from a patriarchal background. It's up to the father of the family to sort situations like this out - and in their culture, you're left with two choices: reject him or be rejected as a family. The whole community could turn on the Masoods."[10]
Storylines
Masood moves to 41 Albert Square with Zainab, Shabnam and Tamwar in October 2007. Masood and Zainab are both active in the postal industry: Masood is a postman and Zainab the owner of a chain of post offices. Masood instantly gets embroiled in his wife's feud with the Wicks family, infuriating Kevin Wicks (Phil Daniels) by refusing to hand him his post personally. Masood receives a phone call from his sister in Karachi informing him of their father's illness (assumed to be fatal) and he leaves the next day. A week later, he telephones the family and informs them that his father's health is improving. He returns and discovers that his family are in serious debt. He attempts to resolve the problems to no avail.
Due to their financial problems the Masoods are forced to close down the post office. They lie to the local residents that the government has closed them down, and they are then forced to reveal the truth when the residents start protesting. Masood decides to begin another business venture but is refused finance from the bank when the bank manager discovers that the post office went bankrupt, however, he borrows £2000 from Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), and they set up Masala Masood. The Masoods go into business with Ian, his wife Jane (Laurie Brett) and her brother Christian Clarke (John Partridge), merging Masala Masood and Fit for a Queen, calling the new business Masala Queen.
Zainab accuses Masood of stealing money from the business, when it is actually Tamwar, who is helping Syed. When Masood and Zainab discover what really happened to their money, Masood reveals that Syed's actions are why he left the family; he had stolen money from the family business and is continuing to do so. Syed secretly returns after Zainab contacts him. Zainab's secrecy leads Masood to believe she is having an affair. He discovers the truth and sets out to confront Syed. Syed lies that he is a successful property developer, but his landlord discloses the fact that he owes rent. Masood leaves, despite entreaties from Syed that he is unemployed and unable to pay his rent, Masood tells Syed he should have faced him like a man instead of trying to scam the whole family one by one. Syed moves back with the family and gets engaged to his girlfriend Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas).
With Syed planning a wedding, Shabnam away in Pakistan and Tamwar due to go to Oxford University, Masood plans to take Zainab on a trip around the world. However, Tamwar is forced to admit he did not achieve the grades he needed for university, and Zainab tells Masood she is pregnant, scuppering their plans. Zainab does not want the baby, which shocks Masood who is against abortion as it goes against Islam. Zainab is frustrated at him for not supporting her and decides to leave home for a short while. When she returns she tells Masood that she is going to keep the baby.
When someone paints the worlds "Bad boy" on the Masoods front door, Zainab concludes that the bad boy must be Masood. She asked Syed to find out and he sees him going to the cinema with Jane. This leads to several arguments between Masood and Zainab and they stop talking to each other, with Masood planning to visit Pakistan. Syed, Tamwar and Amira plan to get them together, and they reconcile.
In order to earn extra income and money, Masood works an extra shift at the taxi firm, despite being exhausted. When he drives Rachel Branning (Pooky Quesnel) home to Tring, he falls asleep at the wheel and crashes the car. Rachel has removed her seatbelt to answer a phone call. The car topples over and Masood and Rachel are injured. He returns home with a broken foot and is worried that he could lose his taxi licence and if Rachel dies he could be charged with manslaughter. PC Henderson (Jem Wall) questions him about the incident and Amira says he swerved to avoid someone on a moped. The police leave and Amira says she lied because she does not want two fathers in prison. Masood regrets lying to the police.
Before Syed and Amira's wedding, Masood visits his brother Inzamam (Paul Bhattacharjee) to ask if he can help pay for the wedding. Inzamam says he knows nothing about the wedding and Masood asks Zainab why she did not invite him. At first she lies that she forgot, but then reveals that Inzamam has made advances towards her many times. Angry, Masood returns Inzamam's money and tells him he and his family are not welcome in their home any more. A month after the wedding, Masood is unaware that there have been problems in Syed and Amira's relationship when Zainab tells him they are sorted.
Zainab goes into labour, and Masood delivers the baby, Kamil. Kamil is not breathing when he is born, so Masood follows instructions from Christian to perform CPR, saving the baby's life. The next day, Masood is unable to deliver a package to Max Branning and takes it home. Later, at Kamil's welcoming party, Masood's line manager David Hensler (Jonty Stephens) arrives with a colleague, saying there has been an allegation of stolen post and they must search the house. They find Max Branning's (Jake Wood) package and Masood says he was simply saving Max a trip to the sorting office. Later, he receives a caution for holding the package. While he is away, an expensive pram is delivered and Zainab asks him where he got the money from, accusing him of stealing cash from birthday cards. He admits that he won it gambling at Ricky Butcher's (Sid Owen) stag party. Zainab is furious as gambling is forbidden by their faith, and she then reveals that 20 years previously, Masood lost all their money due to gambling. Later, as Tamwar is searching for the TV remote, he finds a stash of opened Christmas cards addressed to Dot Branning (June Brown) under the settee.
Masood asks Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) to tell Zainab that Masood won the money gambling but Billy says he never saw him. Masood tells Zainab he cannot hand in the letters as he will look guilty. He treats Zainab to a meal but is unable to pay as his voucher was for the wrong time and Zainab had confiscated his wallet, leaving it at home. Billy offers to pay, and later at home, Zainab tells Masood she believes him that someone else put the letters there. Masood agrees to look after Kamil during the day as Zainab wants to continue working at the Masala Queen unit.
For Syed's birthday, Masood gives him his copy of the Qu'ran that has been in the family for several generations, saying he is proud of him. Later that day, he walks in on Syed and Christian kissing on the floor of Syed and Amira's new flat and quickly leaves. He tells Syed that he only saw Christian with another person, but later tells Zainab that Syed and Christian have been seeing each other after paying Christian to go on holiday while the family celebrate, however Christian refuses to leave. Syed overhears Masood and Zainab arguing over his affair, which leads to a proper confrontation. Masood attempts to convince Syed that he has a loving wife and a child, but Syed ignores this and leaves telling them that they must let him decide. After Syed comes out as gay and leaves his home, Masood believes that he is no longer part of the family and doesn't even want to hear his name, unlike Zainab who misses him dearly. Amira's father Qadim (Ramon Tikaram) arrives looking for Syed, but leaves after Masood insists he does not know where he is. After Qadim and his associates beat Christian up, Christian sees Masood outside and begs for help, but Masood leaves him.
The next day, Masood regrets his actions, saying that he should've helped Christian. Soon Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield) confronts him and Zainab, saying that they should love their children no matter what they become. Eventually Zainab and Masood enter the café, where Jane Beale reveals that Zainab knew about Syed's sexuality even before his wedding. Masood and Zainab argue, but then reconcile after singing Kamil to sleep and agreeing to make decisions together. However, at dinner, Tamwar announces that he is not going to university, and Zainab, livid, tells him that he is. Masood, angry at her not discussing it first, packs her belongings and physically throws her out. The next day Syed tries to make amends with Masood and convinces him to speak to Zainab before returning the Qu'ran Masood gave him, saying that he did not deserve it. Tamwar then informs Zainab and Syed that Masood has agreed to see the whole family. Masood says the family can put things behind them as he wants all his family under the same roof. Masood and Zainab later see Syed leaving Christian's flat, and both are furious that he broke his promise. Masood then refuses to sleep in the same bed as Zainab.
Masood is soon determined to heal his family, but things do not go well as Zainab says she wants their business relationship with the Beales disolved after seeing Masood and Jane laughing together. Masood, angered by this, asks Jane if he can come to America with her to escape Walford and his troubled family. The following morning, he angrily breaks the digitally edited family portrait, calls Jane to his house and asks again. Jane, however, leaves without him, and Tamwar finds out about him leaving, and makes him tell Zainab. She allows him to go but finds the broken photo frame, and then begs him not to go as she loves him. They are interrupted by the imam who says Syed will always be welcome at the mosque. Masood leaves the house but decides to make up with Syed. He finds him unconscious in his flat after a pill overdose, and chooses to stay for Syed, but as he walks back in the hospital from getting coffee, he hears Zainab telling Syed it would be better if he was dead. Masood orders her out and later tells her he will bring Syed home whether she likes it or not. When he gets back with Syed, Zainab has dumped all of Syed's belongings in the street and she sets fire to them in front of the family. However, Masood convinces Zainab to allow Syed home when he is to be evicted from his flat.
Zainab and Masood are suspicious when they see that Syed has erased his Internet browsing history and Masood thinks he is seeing another man when he sees him talking to Allen Conlon (Peter Vollebregt). However, Syed introduces his family to Allen, who claims he can cure Syed of his same-sex attraction. Zainab and Masood support him, but after weeks of therapy, Masood sees Syed crying during prayer. Zainab chooses to ignore Christian when he tries to talk to her about catering for a function, so Christian hands out free fish and chips on behalf of Ian. When Zainab and Masood arrive to the function with food, Christian confronts them and says they are killing Syed from the inside. He says he loves Syed in ways they can never imagine, so Masood punches him. Syed gives up his therapy and reunites with Christian. Masood confronts Christian when he sees him at the mosque, telling him to keep away.
Zainab wants to buy the local Indian restaurant, the Argee Bhajee, but Masood is against this. Tamwar starts seeing Afia Khan (Meryl Fernandes), and her father, Yusef (Ace Bhatti), wants to meet his parents. As soon as Masood sees Yusef, he attacks him as he is Zainab's ex-husband whose family set her on fire because she was having an affair with Masood. Yusef explains that he wants to make peace but Masood throws him out and Tamwar ends his relationship with Afia. The next day, Masood discovers that Zainab is still planning to buy the Argee Bhajee against his wishes, which causes him to storm out. He then meets Jane and they console each other about their respective partners. They meet again and go to a hotel with the intention of sex. However, they both change their minds and decide to remain friends. When Masood returns to Walford, he learns that Zainab has bought the restaurant. Feeling guilty, he supports her purchase. Ian learns of Masood and Jane's encounter, and confronts him, punching Masood in the face. Zainab invites Ian and Jane to lunch. While sharing the meal, Ian makes Masood and Jane squirm but stops short of revealing their encounter to Zainab. However Syed also discovers his father's secret, and orders him to allow Tamwar to see Afia, or he will reveal everything to Zainab. Masood refuses, but Syed decides against telling his mother, for now. Masood and Zainab allow Tamwar to see Afia in the fear that continuing to ban him from seeing her would drive him away, but in the hope it would fizzle out, and Masood asks Afia to break up with Tamwar because Zainab is upset by mentions of Yusef. Afia does so and blames her father, so Tamwar asks Masood to speak to Yusef. Yusef visits and discovers Afia and Tamwar are still seeing each other, and gives his blessing for them to marry. Masood and Zainab pretend they are happy but do not want Yusef to become a part of their family.
After the roof of the Argee Bhajee collapses and the restaurant is forced to shut, the Masoods find themselves in debt. Zainab finds out that Phil loaned money to Masood for Tamwar's wedding and is furious. When Zainab finds money in Masood's bag, he is forced to admit that he is gambling by playing poker for Phil in an effort to try and pay their debt. Masood kidnaps Yusef in an attempt to scare him off, but when Yusef returs, he is covered in cuts and saying that Masood beat him and covered him in petrol, when he did not. Zainab kicks Masood out and he is banned from Afia and Tamwar's mehndi. At the mehndi, Afia's aunt tells everyone that Yusef and Zainab are having an affair, having misunderstood and overheard conversation, and Zainab denies this. She invites Masood to dinner, and there is a chance that they might reconcile until Denise reveals that Yusef stayed at Zainab's house overnight, so Masood leaves.
Other appearances
Masood appears in the spin-off series EastEnders: E20. In episode 1 of seres 1, Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) attempts to sell him Zsa Zsa Carter's (Emer Kenny) belongings that he found but he leaves when Leon Small (Sam Attwater) interrupts. In episode 2 of series 2, Masood is on the tube clutching his rucksack and Stevie Dickinson (Amanda Fairbank-Hynes) suspects he is a terrorist, and tells him that love can heal his pain but Naz Mehmet (Emaa Hssen) pulls her away. Later, a drunken Stevie apologises and when Masood notices she is cold and wet, he offers her his coat. In episode 4, Stevie returns the coat while Masood is working on the market, and attempts to flirt with him, but her tactics fail. She later returns and flirts again, asking if she has any work going and he asks her to come back the next day. She thinks her flirting has worked so goes back but ends up flashing her bra, so Naz ushers her away. In episode 6 he comes out during the power cut caused by Stevie and Sol Levi (Tosin Cole) and asks why Stevie's is the only flat with electricity. In episode 10, Stevie kisses Masood, saying one day they will have tea together.
Reception
Masood, along with the rest of the his family, was criticised by actor Deepak Verma, who played Sanjay Kapoor between 1993 and 1998. He said that EastEnders had failed to portray Asian families in a realistic manner, branding the family "two-dimensional and ill-conceived". A BBC spokesperson responded by saying "It's a shame Deepak feels that way but that's clearly his personal opinion. The Masood family have proved to be hugely popular with EastEnders viewers."[12]
Ganatra has received a number of award nominations for his portrayal of Masood, including Best Actor at the 2010 and 2011 British Soap Awards[13][14] and Best Actor at the 2010 and 2011 Inside Soap Awards.[15][16] Additionally, Ganatra and Wadia shared the award for 'Best On-Screen Partnership' at the 2009 British Soap Awards.[17] In 2011 Inside Soap readers voted Masood their least favourite member of his family.[18]
See also
References
- ^ "Amira Returns!". Inside Soap (39). Hachette Filipacchi UK: 95. 1–7 October 2011.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ a b c "Two new characters join Eastenders Asian family". Asians in Media. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ Taylor, Joanna (10 August 2004). "'Unrealistic' Ferreira family dismissed by Asian viewers". The Stage. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 October 2004). "EastEnder accuses BBC of discrimination". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ Armstrong, Stephen (8 October 2007). "The art of storytelling". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ Myall, Steve (21 April 2002). "EastEnders hasn't got enough black and Asian actors". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ "EastEnders". Museum of Broadcast Communications. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ "Coronation Street and EastEnders battle it out for coveted CRE Race In the Media Award". Commission for Racial Equality. 1 June 2005. Archived from the original on 12 April 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Two new Masoods". BBC Online. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ a b c "Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed, 'EastEnders')". Digital Spy. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ^ "EastEnder's Nitin Ganatra on Masood kissing Jane!". What's on TV. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- ^ Martin, Lara (20 July 2009). "Former 'Enders star slams Asian portrayal". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ Green, Kris (9 May 2010). "British Soap Awards 2010: The Winners". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 March 2011). "British Soap Awards 2011 voting opens". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ Catriona, Wightman (13 July 2010). "In Full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 Nominees". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ "In Full: Inside Soap Awards 2011 Nominees". Digital Spy. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris; KilKelly, Daniel (10 May 2009). "British Soap Awards 2009: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
- ^ "Your verdict". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK: 97. 12 April 2011.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)