16th May 2023, Mumbai: Meera Syal was presented with the Bafta lifetime achievement award, the highest honor in the TV industry, on Sunday night. The award was presented in recognition of Syal’s contribution to the industry, particularly her role in opening doors for people of color and bringing more diverse voices to British television. She urged the industry to strive for more diversity, not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well.
Syal’s work has been ground-breaking, and she has paved the way for many others. She was one of the first British Asian people to regularly star on TV in the UK and has played a significant role in changing the game. Her role in Goodness Gracious Me, which was shown on BBC Two from 1998 to 2001, is particularly noteworthy for its portrayal of South Asians in Britain and for bringing new perspectives to the small screen. Bafta chair Krish Majumdar described Syal as a “national treasure,” and credited her with paving the way for many others. He emphasized how important it is to see people like Syal on screen and how it can inspire others to follow in her footsteps. Majumdar’s words echo Syal’s sentiments about the importance of representation and diverse voices in the industry. Syal’s success story is one of hard work and determination. Growing up as a “chubby brown kid from Wolverhampton,” she faced a lot of othering and discrimination. Despite these challenges, she persisted and went on to make a name for herself in the industry. Her father, who had dreams of being a singer and poet, encountered similar discrimination upon arriving in the UK, where he was met with the attitude, “Never mind bloody Plato, can you drive a bus or not?”
In conclusion, Meera Syal’s lifetime achievement award is a well-deserved honor for her outstanding contribution to the TV industry and for paving the way for more diverse voices and representation. Her dedication to fellow travelers, untold stories, and diversity is a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the need to continue striving for it. Syal’s success story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity, and her impact on the industry will be felt for years to come.
By Yashika Desai