A BRADFORD comedian was overjoyed after fans flocked to meet him at his book launch last week.
Tehseen Jay, creator of the The Nana G Show, launched his book Learn Pothwari with The Nana G Show at Rio Grande on Friday.
Tehseen posed for pictures with fans and signed copies of the book, which is aimed at young people and anyone who wants to learn Pahari-Pothwari, which is spoken in the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
“The launch went well. It was very rewarding and I was quite overwhelmed,” said Tehseen, 37.
“It was amazing to have so many young people there. I’m not sure if I’m a role model as such, but I try to be one. The fact that many of them see me like that means a lot.
“I don’t see myself as anything big or special – I just love making people laugh and smile.
“I’d like to give thanks to Regal Foods, Howdys, La Romantica Beds, Bombay Stores, Mumbai Bites, Rio Grande and all the influencers and imams who came.
“And of course, all the friends and the fans. Whatever I am, it’s because of them.”
Sophina, 24 and from Bradford, went to the launch with her family.
Before meeting Tehseen, she said: “I’m quite excited – at first, we thought it was a prank or something, we didn’t think he was actually coming.
“We brought my niece along, she’s only three but watches his videos.”
9-year-old Noor Iqbal was also there.
She said: “I’m excited, I find his videos funny and I like the puppets.”
Noor’s father, Faizan, added: “Noor knows aapni zabaan [‘our language’] quite well, but I’m excited for her to learn more.
“Not many kids in Bradford speak much of the language now, so it’s good we have people like Tehseen doing this kind of work.”
Faisel Ali, of sponsor Regal Foods, added: “I think Tehseen is doing great work, and we’re very proud to be on board.
“He’s the kind of role model we need, especially here in Bradford. There was a young crowd at the launch and it was good to see them here.”
Sid Amin, managing director of sponsor La Romatica Beds, was also in attendance.
“I’m really proud that we’re supporting Tehseen,” he said.
“He’s very talented and it’s important to promote local Asian talent and to engage young children with their roots, in a comedic way too.
“The writing on The Nana G Show is brilliant, I think it’s fantastic.”
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