‘Jassa Ahluwalia: Am I English?’ part of the My England series was named Best TV Programme / Show at the 10th Asian Media Awards.
The 2022 awards celebrated the achievements of journalists, broadcasters and leading creative industry professionals.
The ceremony hosted by Sky Sports News presenter Bela Shah saw special awards for LBC News host Lisa Aziz, BBC 5Live broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake and acclaimed TV and stage actor Kulvinder Ghir of Goodness Gracious Me fame.
The awards honoured journalism, online, radio, TV, creative media, stage, theatre and live events in 23 categories and was back at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate where the first awards took place in 2013.
The University of Salford are the Premier Partners for the awards which aim to shine a light on the accomplishments of media professionals from across the UK.
My Hometown: Jassa Ahluwalia: Am I English? is a BBC England Commissioning programme for the BBC One Series We Are England.
An emotional Jassa spoke about growing up with mixed cultures as he accepted the award.
He later said: “My #BothNotHalf work was born out of a search for belonging as a British South Asian artist, so to be recognised by the Asian Media Awards, in the company of so much brown excellence – feels massive. I really had to fight back the tears when I heard my name called out.
“Everyone I spoke to last night told me about their own sense of mixed identity, about their mixed sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews. This documentary was about me and my family, but the story is universal.
“We are a mixed heritage nation, our history and our future is mixed. Long may we continue to celebrate the multiplicity that defines us all.”
In the heart-warming and deeply personal documentary we hear from actor, director and presenter Jassa Ahluwalia who shares his experiences of growing up with mixed heritage.
As a teen Jassa began to struggle with his identity and his place in a world which sees him as white despite his Indian heritage. ‘Am I English?’ follows Jassa as he discovers more about how his upbringing and how his experiences have shaped his own sense of ‘Englishness’.
He realises how his father remains deeply affected by experiences of racism and from a personal perspective how conflicted his own sense of identity has become. In this profound journey of self-discovery Jassa reveals his feelings, struggles and insecurities which has helped to champion issues of mixed heritage identity in the UK.
The 2022 Asian Media Awards winners of all categories and special awards were revealed at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Friday October 28.
Previous recipients of an Asian Media Award include Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Waris Hussein, Art Malik, Mehdi Hasan, Nina Wadia, Anita Rani, Shobna Gulati, Faisal Islam & Adil Ray.
The University of Salford are Premier Partners to the Asian Media Awards.
Partners to the awards include ITV, MediaCom, Reach PLC, Manchester Evening News & TheBusinessDesk.com.
The awards are also supported by Manchester Metropolitan University, AMT Lawyers, DKR Accountants, 6G Internet, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Fritz AV, Payal Events & Cleartwo.
