Ali told Ranjeet he will "kick up the Khyber" ("Khyber Pass" being rhyming slang for "arse"). Ali was a Muslim Pakistani who had emigrated to the United Kingdom, and was frequently seen bickering with Ranjeet Singh ( Albert Moses), a Sikh from India. Along with Barry Evans as their teacher, Ali was one of a group of people from diverse backgrounds in an English as a Foreign Language class at a London night-school. Mind Your Language ĭuring the run of It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Shafeek played the part of student Ali Nadim in the ITV/ London Weekend Television sitcom Mind Your Language (1977–79). The caustic though affectionate relationship between Muhammad and his superior Rangi Ram provides additional comedy through their representations of the different religions and castes in colonial India.
#ALI NADIM MIND YOUR LANGUAGE SERIES#
At the end of the final credits he starts to sing " Land of Hope and Glory" only to be interrupted by the Sergeant-major shouting his ubiquitous ear-shattering "SHUTUPPP!!!." Muhammad was later promoted to bearer when the actor who played Rangi Ram ( Michael Bates) died after Series 5 was recorded. 'tea, hot tea')." He also sings the musical interludes between the scenes, which are mostly popular World War II era hits accompanied by a sitar. Shafeek plays " Chaiwallah Muhammad", selling tea from his ever-ready urn with his catchphrase " chai garam chai (Eng. The series was broadcast by the BBC from 1974 to 1981 and starred Windsor Davies as the staff sergeant-major of the troop's barracks in Deolali, Bombay Presidency.
Set in World War II British India, it follows the fortunes and activities of a concert party troop attached to the Royal Artillery. It Ain't Half Hot Mum was a BBC comedy series written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the creators of Dad's Army. His first film role was as 'Akbar' in the film The Long Duel (1967), starring Yul Brynner. Shafeek was involved with amateur theatre in Dacca and, after emigrating to England in 1958, enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.