SBS Spice

Romesh Ranganathan never quite planned on swapping math lessons for stand-up, but over a decade later, the Sri Lankan-British comedian has become a global sensation. With success, however, came the challenge of representing his community, and Romesh quickly realised the weight of every joke. In this episode of SBS Spice, host Suhayla Sharif dives into Romesh's rise from school teacher to one of the most recognisable faces in the industry. Catch this spicy chat on comedy, culture, and breaking barriers—wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of SBS Spice, host Dilpreet chats with Dhee, the voice behind Tamil cinema's viral hit 'Rowdy Baby' and the iconic 'Enjoy Enjaami', now making waves with her own independent music. Born to a Sri Lankan father and an Indian mother and raised in Western Sydney, Dhee’s latest single, 'I Wear My Roots Like a Medal', is an anthem of self-discovery, blending her cross-cultural experiences into a sound that’s entirely her own. From her beginnings in playback singing to crafting her unique musical identity, Dhee opens up about breaking expectations, creating music on her own terms, and navigating the complexities of social media. She also shares her hopeful vision for South Asian representation in the music industry—and why she believes now is a pivotal time for change. Listen to the episode on SBS Spice, available wherever you find your podcasts.

The ever-hilarious Dilruk Jayasinha joins Dilpreet Kaur Taggar for a chat about his journey on SBS’s latest show, Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. In this fresh new series, Dilruk heads back to Sri Lanka, reconnecting with family, revisiting his childhood stomping grounds, and peeling back the layers of his cultural identity for Australian audiences. When asked how he thinks viewers will react, Dilruk’s take is simple: he doesn’t care. For him, the win has already happened in getting to share a slice of his life and family with the world. Joining us from Melbourne, Dilruk goes beyond the laughs as we dive into the power of authenticity and how embracing our roots brings us closer together.

Shankari Chandran has always turned to storytelling for refuge. Now, with four novels and the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award to her name, the Tamil-Australian author has claimed her place in Australia’s literary world—but it wasn’t without a fight. Once dismissed for her work not being 'Australian enough,' Shankari now calls for a reckoning, demanding a reimagining of Australia’s narrative—one that refuses to silence diverse voices. How do we break through? SBS Spice host Suhayla Sharif sits down with Shankari to uncover the transformative stories that will define the future of South Asian Australian literature.

Qais Essar is hailed as a master of Afghanistan's national instrument, the Rabab. With a rich history spanning over 2,500 years, the Rabab has endured periods of silence, but Qais believes it is at its quietest today. How does an ancient instrument find its place in today’s world? In this episode, Qais joins SBS Spice host Suhayla Sharif from Northern Arizona to explore the art of blending the contemporary with the classic and how the Afghan-American artist is reinventing its sound to secure its legacy for future generations.

A luminary in contemporary Indian music, Prateek Kuhad is distinguished for his deeply personal and evocative soundscapes. Crafting music that feels like an intimate conversation, his niche but devoted fan base weaves a global tapestry. Often hailed as India’s biggest sonic export in recent years, Prateek joins Dilpreet in our Sydney studios amidst his Australian tour to explore why he continues to write music for himself before others, delve into his artistic process, and discuss the slow but evolving perceptions of Indian artists in the West.

Can you find your way back to someone you love after being apart for years? Set between India and Australia, SBS’s new original series 'Four Years Later' explores this dilemma in its eight-part journey, premiering on SBS on Demand on 2 October. Dilpreet from SBS Spice visits the set to speak with writer Mithila Gupta and lead actors Shahana Goswami and Akshay Ajit Singh, uncovering the intricacies of bringing this unique Indian-Australian romantic drama to life and find out if love can truly endure all.

Set in 16th century India, as the Taj Mahal is about to be unveiled after years of meticulous construction, two best friends stand guard at dawn and face an unimaginable task. This is the gripping premise of Guards at the Taj, directed by Bali Padda and written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Rajiv Joseph. Yet, at the heart of the play is neither the monument nor the era, but a profound friendship between two brown men. Bali Padda joins Dilpreet in the studio for an intimate conversation about the play's deeper themes and the bonds that drive it.

As we were baking banana bread and trying dalgona coffee during COVID, our guest was making music videos out of her garage. Rooted in her Indian heritage and Australian upbringing, Melbourne-based singer and songwriter, ASHWARYA, flourishes in the rich blend of her dual identity. She joins Suhayla Sharif as we explore not just the unboxing of South Asian talent, but also the urgency of breaking through identity labels to find the true sound of the Australian music industry.

Discovering a mislabeled book in a Broken Hill mosque set our guest on a path to unearth cultural encounters between South Asian and Aboriginal communities in the 19th-century Australia, culminating in her groundbreaking debut monograph, 'Australianama'. Dhaka-born, Australia-bred feminist and cultural historian, Dr Samia Khatun focuses on the experiences of colonised peoples across the British Empire. Joining Ria Pandey for this episode, she challenges us to rethink the very foundations of how we understand our past, engage with our present, and envision our future. Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this program includes the name of a deceased person.