Vikash Bhai talks ‘Heartsink’, Stage Return & Ethical Laughs

Vikash Bhai, celebrated for his screen roles in Limbo and Virdee, returns to the stage for the medical comedy Heartsink.

Playing Dr Roofi, the play is poised to captivate audiences at Riverside Studios from April 21 to May 10.

Written by former GP Farine Clarke and directed by Sean Turner, Heartsink promises both laughter and profound reflection.

The play centres on GP Jeffrey Longford, whose own serious illness dramatically challenges his faith in the medical fraternity, making him confront everything from patient labelling to the complex ethical landscape surrounding assisted dying.

In an interview with DESIblitz, Vikash Bhai chats about his return to theatre, the unique demands of portraying such a character, and the vital role of humour in exploring life’s most serious questions.

From Screen Star to Stage Stunner

After a successful run in film and TV, the opportunity to return to the theatre for Heartsink felt like a natural progression for Vikash, sparked by both familiar connections and a deeply compelling script.

He explains: “Sean [Turner] and I have worked together before, although it’s been a few years now, so when he got in touch about Heartsink, I welcomed the opportunity to work together again.”

Beyond the reunion, it was the play’s intricate emotional landscape that truly captivated him:

“It’s also been a while since I’ve been on stage, I read the play, was drawn by the friendship between Dr Roofi and Dr Longford and how that unravels.”

The sheer difference in how a performance is crafted for screen versus stage offers a unique challenge and a deeply satisfying journey for an actor.

While film allows for a fragmented, often out-of-order creation process, the stage demands a continuous, evolving presence.

Vikash explains this distinction, noting: “On screen, you can build a performance in fragments, often out of order, with theatre there’s more time in rehearsal to discover things and try things out as you track the emotional arc of your character from start to finish.”

This extended rehearsal period allows for a profound immersion, an organic understanding of the character’s journey from their first breath to their last.

For Vikash, this return felt like a cherished reunion.

“Returning to the stage was like coming home. I’ve always loved theatre, it’s where I learnt and developed a passion for the kind of work I’m lucky to be able to do.”

How Heartsink tackles Tough Topics through Humour

Heartsink masterfully walks a tightrope, blending potent comedy with the gravity of serious medical themes like assisted dying.

Much of the genius lies directly within the playwright Farine Clarke’s words.

“Much of the humour is actually in the writing, so there’s no need to play for the laughs as such”, he observes, giving full credit to the script’s inherent wit.

“Farine has done a great job of sewing that in throughout the play with great characters like Mrs Murray, played by Kathy Kiera Clarke, and Suzie, played by Megan Marszal.”

Humour in such contexts acts like a secret weapon, opening audiences up to dialogue they might otherwise shy away from.

Vikash Bhai highlights its unique ability to foster engagement:

“I guess humour brings people’s guards down, it can be very disarming and so encourages people to lean in, rather than away from, difficult subject matters.”

In a world often overwhelmed by heavy news cycles, a touch of comedy provides a crucial access point and it is a necessity for Heartsink‘s themes:

“With Heartsink, we are talking about death, autonomy and care; we need some lightness and humour to engage with these topics or it can be overwhelming.”

Bringing Dr Roofi to Life

Stepping into the scrubs of a doctor in a play that bravely explores such complex medical and ethical issues demanded a meticulous approach.

Vikash Bhai’s preparation for the role of Dr Roofi began with the text, but quickly expanded into diligent research to ensure an authentic portrayal.

He elaborates: “As always, I took what was in the script as a starting point and then researched the relevant topics.

“It helps in a way that one of the main topics has been in the news with the assisted dying bill and this made finding things online slightly easier.”

Heartsink doesn’t shy away from exploring how patients can often be reduced to their conditions, a particularly poignant theme that Dr Longford, Dr Roofi’s colleague, grapples with throughout the play.

Vikash again credits Farine Clarke for her profound insight, making his role one of bringing truth to an already well-crafted narrative.

“Again, I think I’ve been very lucky in that a lot of the heavy lifting with regards to this has already been done by Farine in her writing, and so my job as an actor is to bring that to life and play the moments with honesty.”

The script allows Vikash to focus on the emotional truth of his character’s presence. Within this dynamic, Dr Roofi serves as a crucial emotional anchor.

He says: “Labels are something that Longford is wrestling with and Roofi is able to be there for him, or at least try to be.”

Ensemble Cast and a Love Affair with the Stage

Working alongside a talented cast often sparks new insights and refines an actor’s own approach to performance.

Vikash Bhai found this to be true in Heartsink, noting a mutual learning experience that mirrored the on-stage relationship between his character and a colleague.

He says: “Working with Aden Gillett, who plays Dr Longford, has taught me a lot which, interestingly, mirrors the relationship between Roofi and Longford.”

This dynamic highlights how the bonds forged in rehearsal can infuse and enrich the performance itself, creating a palpable chemistry.

While he didn’t share scenes with every cast member, the overall energy and talent were a joy to be part of.

“I don’t unfortunately have the pleasure to share any scenes with Megan [Marszal], but she is very funny, has great comedy timing and I think the audiences are going to love her.

“My scene with Kathy [Kiera Clarke] is both funny and touching.”

Beyond Heartsink, Vikash Bhai’s return to the stage is far from a temporary visit, as he adds:

“As I say, theatre is and always will be my first love when it comes to telling storied and I’m grateful to be able to return every time opportunity allows.”

Despite a flourishing screen career, Vikash Bhai’s affection for live performance is a foundational love, a ‘home’ he consistently seeks to return to.

His dedicated portrayal of Dr Roofi in Heartsink is a testament to this enduring passion, bringing depth and honesty to a play that masterfully balances laughter with life’s most profound ethical questions.

It’s a powerful reminder that for Vikash, whether on screen or stage, the art of storytelling remains his first and true calling, ensuring audiences will remain captivated by his versatile talent.