Harki Bhambra
Allow us to introduce you to Harki Bhambra! Born in Leeds West Yorkshire, England and one of the most entertaining actors we’ve met. Harki is best known for Our Girl (2013), Two Doors Down (2016) and Doctor Who (2005). He is currently playing the role of Dr Samir Hassan on the highly acclaimed “The Good Karma Hospital” on ITV.
Harki sits down with Blowout Magazine for a catch up…
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you are you up to right now.
Well I'm an actor from Leeds via a bit of time in Manchester, where I was spending time doing a sensible degree and sensible job first before moving down to London for drama school. I've been acting ever since, that was almost 8 years ago now.
Tell us why and how you ended up in your industry.
I previously worked in the construction industry as a Quantity Surveyor, I even got chartered - but when it came to this point I kinda kept thinking if I wanted to do this for the next 30-40years of my life. Acting had always been something i'd done for fun when I was young, school plays etc but I never thought it was something you could do, for some weird reason i thought it was like being a footballer - you get spotted at 10 years old and someone signs you up. I did ask at school how to get into the industry but they didn't really know what to do with me, all i needed to do was know 2 monologues and audition at drama schools. Thankfully I revisited acting after i got my chartership, literally just for the fun of it, I’d started doing classes in Manchester, the teacher at the time wanted to do a production of Great Expectations and cast me as Pip. On one of the days of the performances the head of acting at Manchester Met was in and said i should pursue it. She was so kind to invite me over for a chat and recommended some courses at some drama schools. I auditioned at a few and thankfully got into Mountview, from there I was lucky enough to get an agent and I've been cutting my teeth as an actor since.
What is the best part of filming Good Karma Hospital?
I think it's immersing yourself in the culture of Sri Lanka. The people, food and the ridiculous picturesque views were such highlights. There was a mix of UK crew and Sri Lankans working with us which was great. To work with the people also gave you a really nice sense of the country, incredibly kind people.
What’s next for Harki?
It's looking like I'll be away again in the summer on an incredibly exciting play, abroad again, however we've still not signed so I can't give away too much yet.
What has kept you sane during these strange times?
As an actor you kinda have a lot of annoying downtime, so you have to get used to being with yourself a lot. So I’d say a lot of us were quite used to it. I just do the standard things that work for me, bit of exercise, check in with mates and family and try to cook something healthy.
Most interesting thing you have read or seen lately?
Currently watching This is Going to Hurt and can already feel its really top end... and not because I make a tiny appearance in it. Also, Time recently on BBC was particularly great, was thinking about it for weeks after. Sean Bean's performance was so subtle but so watchable.
What is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for?
I suppose just being a good egg that me mates could rely on.
Who is your inspiration?
I'd say me Mum and Paps are up there. You kinda don't feel the impact when you're growing up but both of them are incredibly hard workers which, I think, left it's mark on me and me two older sisters, almost feels like a subconscious thing. But watching them put the graft in when we were young and made sure we didn't want for anything was a huge inspiration. I'm always chuffed whenever they get to see me perform, even though my Pap's gives me acting notes.
What is it about the way you do what you do that you think separates you from others?
Hard to answer this without sounding too much like a knob but I suppose as an actor you always have to feel like you can bring a little something different to the party than the next dude. So I always just try and bring as much as me as i can to every audition/role I do and trust in my interpretation of the role and hopefully people'll like it. Specifically, I’m not sure, maybe I bring a bit of cheeky lightness to most things i do but I’d like to think that I’m just an enjoyable person to work with, can help tell the story, and provide hobnobs in the break.
Blowout Magazine is big on helping Mama Earth, how do you positively contribute to our environment and “helping the planet”?
Cutting down on my meat consumption. After I saw that Cowspiracy documentary it made a huge impact on how much meat I ate, and how much more of an impact it makes than say recycling or having a shower instead of a bath... plus it makes me tummy feel a lot better when I eat a bit more veg.
What’s the most fun project you have done and why?
I'd say with all the longer term projects there's been time to have fun but I’d say the stuff I got to do on Our Girl was particularly good fun. Once there was a full day's filming where me and another soldier had to race each other on an assault course then have a fight afterwards, I think the heat was around 35 degrees and the humidity was 99% but it was so much fun to film. That plus messing around with fake guns, driving big vehicles, an helicopter ride, learning the marching drills... some really good memories.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
A lot of football. Either it's watching Arsenal, I know i should support Leeds but Ian Wright changed all that when i was growing up or it's playing, I’ve stopped playing competitive as I don't like the aggression and risk of injury, but I play in a few lovely friendly matches every week with a real good bunch of fellas. That and seeing friends and family. Lockdown made me become a Call of Duty addict, but I've slowly weened my way off, not fully, I mean I can quit when i want...
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while working on a project?
Hmm I suppose from Good Karma Hospital we had been working on location in a lot of places. We had a few sections where we had to film some driving scenes and some where we had parked up. I needed a pee at the time of one particular break and they said it was fine to go under this bridge close by, I go to start then see, and I'm not kidding around a 2 meter thick black snake slither away from where I was. Really was one of them moments when the blood went from my face, when I went back they thought I’d seen a ghost. Apparently it was a rat snake, they don't go for humans... it was huge though!!
Whats your favourite “life Quote”
"It'll be alright." Cos it will.
Where are you in 10 years?
Hopefully still doing what I love to pay the bills... but if I’m having a daydream; that and back living in Highbury with my season ticket at Arsenal still and fingers crossed established myself to be able to tell a lot more stories on screen or stage.
Photography by David Reiss
Follow Harki on Instagram : @harkibhambra
