Tahir Shah
Tahir talks growing up in Bradford, his acting journey and the 2024 Venice Fellowship Programme
Published: January 31, 2025
Author: Tahir Shah
We're profiling Bradford creatives in our 'Meet the Artist' series. Next up is actor and writer Tahir Shah who shares about growing up in BD3, being scouted by the BBC, and contributing to one of the world's most important art exhibitions.
Hi, everybody! My name's Tahir Shah.
I am an actor and writer based in BD9. I’m represented by an acting agent who finds me really cool projects to work on and I’ve had the opportunity to work on some big budget projects for Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC, and Channel 4. As a writer, I’ve written stage plays about things like mental health, identity, relationships, and lots of other topics.
Both creative practices work well together but I keep them separate, in that my acting doesn’t influence my writing or vice-versa.
Last year, I applied for the Venice Fellowship Programme through Bradford 2025 because I had wanted to do some research internationally for a long time. In the past, opportunities had come my way but they were either unpaid, too long, too short or in countries which had no relationship to my writing interests. I submitted a short video application and later found out that myself and another Bradford artist were successful! I was shocked when I found out that I had been chosen amongst so many experienced applicants.
What was it like growing up in Bradford?
Growing up in the 90s in Bradford was interesting. I grew up in the BD3 area which was and is still known for its award-winning curry houses and beautiful mosques. I went to a few schools (I wasn’t the most well behaved) and after a typical school day, I had an Islamic education at my local mosque. From a young age, I’ve always been keen on doing new things and getting involved in extracurricular activities.
At 13, I appeared on a ‘Young Apprentice’-type TV show for Channel 5 where a group of young people from different schools had to create and pitch a product. When I was 14, I got the chance to shadow a Member of Parliament for a week in London. This later convinced me to run for a Youth Parliament in Bradford (BKYP) that was organised by the youth service credit — and I was elected!
I got a lot of sympathy from people either from London or some far-off posh village who thought Bradford was the worst place to live. I hope that sentiment has changed now. People can be quick to hark at the negatives, but there is so much we have to offer in Bradford and I think the City of Culture designation will bring our talent to light.
How did you become an actor?
I found my way into the acting industry completely by accident. I joined my university’s drama society (only because you got discounted cinema tickets) and, one day, we had a casting director come in who asked us to perform from scripts in-hand. Later, I found out that he was casting for a BBC drama, and that he really liked my performance and wanted to offer me a part! There weren’t many lines, but it was my first acting job, it was paid, and it was a credit — so I was buzzing!
After that, I found an agent who I love and have been with for almost five years. She continues to find me great roles and I continue to learn my lines (most of the time).
Shockingly, I’ve not had any awards as an actor. There are no Oscars on my mantle, I’m *still* waiting for a call from Hollywood, and no — I haven’t been nominated for an EGOT — but we still move. Some of my career highlights have been working with Martin Freeman on BBC’s ‘The Responder’ – super cool guy. Also, filming a Turkish TV Drama in Antalya for a week. I was livin’ la Vida Loca!
I never went to drama school or trained classically in any way. I received a typical state school education but when I’m on set and stood next to someone who graduated from LAMDA or Mountview it reminds me that anything is possible if you believe it is!
Tell us about your time as a Venice Fellow
As a Venice Fellow working on the British Council exhibition, I spent most of my time engaging with visitors, chatting about the pavilion’s themes, and promoting British arts and culture to global visitors. A typical week involved supporting exhibition logistics, conducting research, and documenting insights to inform future British Council projects. And in my spare time, my favourite things to do were sit on the beach and eat gelato!
I also had the chance to network with international artists and curators and learn from global contemporary art practices. The fellowship allowed me to enhance my skills in communication, cultural diplomacy, and exhibition management while contributing meaningfully to one of the world’s leading art events.
My research project centred on South Asian communities that used Italy—and Venice, specifically—as a stopping point before migrating to “the West,” to places such as the UK or the Americas. I aimed to explore what motivated some families to settle and build their lives in Venice. I investigated the similarities between Venice and their intended destinations, what they missed about their homeland, and how they might promote Venice as a place to live to others considering a fresh start. My goal was to use the stories and conversations I gathered to inform my writing and develop a short story or play inspired by these experiences.
People often dream of creating amazing work but never take the first step. My time in Venice showed me the importance of simply starting—letting go of worries about the outcome and focusing on the process instead. It was a powerful reminder that creativity thrives when you take that first step and see where it leads.
My personal advice to emerging artists would be to take your creative practice seriously. It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer, musician, actor, sculptor, painter, public speaker or whatever else — if you enjoy your practice and you think it’s important, don’t let people mock or belittle your magic. ✨
Follow Tahir on Instagram @1tshah
