Bollywood star returns to the Bolton Octagon with fun filled DJ roadshow

Jas Binag worked in theatre, then Bollywood came calling, where he got to work with some of the best in the business.

He now returns to the stage to play a DJ called Pali, as he and his nephew Jay support each other in this fun-filled comedy-drama, written and co-conceived by Viraj Juneja (who also plays Jay).

Infused with chai and cola, this bassline-filled bromance is at the Bolton Octagon in mid-October.

We caught up with Jas to find out more.

How did you get into acting?

I got into acting at a very young age when I was six.

In my first play in school, I played Ram in Ram and Sita, and when I saw the reaction from my parents and how happy they were, that was one of the main reasons why I got into acting.

I love the connection you have with people and the entertainment value and making people happy. It was escapism really. Living a wonderful life for that short period of time.

What’s been the most memorable acting job you have had?

There have been loads!

I got to work with a lot of my heroes in the Bollywood industry.

I’m very fond of the industry. When I shifted to Bombay I got to work with some amazing actors that I really admire.

After twenty-odd years out of the theatre industry, playing DJ Pali in Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow is quite memorable as it’s bringing back the things I learnt in acting school, and testing a lot of things I took for granted on TV and film.

This has got me outside of my comfort zone, which is great!

What appealed to you about this show when you read it?

I like the story first of all, which is very well written by Viraj. I like the connection between an uncle and nephew duo team.

You see a lot of shows or films about husband and wife, mother and son etc., but very rarely do we get to see an uncle and nephew go through this journey, which makes it a unique relationship.

The plot is great as they somehow, through some sort of connection, support each other
in these testing moments in life. It’s a really fun show to do!

Is it challenging being in a two-hander, or do you embrace it as a great opportunity to play off one person?

A bit of both. It’s interesting to play off the other person and it is very fast-paced. For about 60-70 minutes there’s no break, you just have to go go go!

It’s really fun, getting me out of my comfort zone and getting me back into raw acting. I feel like Rocky in Rocky IV when he’s training in Moscow in a barn, and running up a mountain!

What would you like audiences to take away from seeing this show?

I want them to be entertained and to have fun, to feel the emotion of the characters and let them take them on this wonderful journey as their wedding guests. It’s very relatable, everyone experiences these elements of life.

It appeals to not only older audiences but young ones too and has struck a chord with a lot of people watching it.

If audiences have not been to the theatre for a while, or they are newcomers, why should they turn off Netflix and come and see this?

(Jokingly) Because we’re amazing actors and they need to come and see us!

It’s a very short, fun-filled show with a lot of old-school tracks which will get them bouncing off their seats with a fun visual medium.

It’s also immersive, so the audience is actually a part of this wedding which is something that they’ve never seen before in a theatre. For that, they should definitely come and watch it!

Tickets for Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow

Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow is at the Bolton Octagon from 16^th – 19^th October and can be booked here