Who is the South Asian Actor in HBO’s hit show Industry?

HBO’s Industry is a high-stakes and high-stress show about the world of finance after the 2008 collapse.

The show follows a group of young bankers as they forge their identities within the environment of banking, filled with drugs, sex and scandal.

Among the large cast is British South Asian actor Sagar Radia.

He plays Rishi Ramdani, a mid-level trader at the fictional firm Pierpoint whose crude comments constantly push workplace boundaries.

Rishi has been a supporting character in the show’s first two seasons and is often seen as the office wind-up, used as a catalyst for the more prominent characters’ stories.

But in the third season, his character stepped into the spotlight and was given his own episode, quickly becoming a fan favourite.

The fourth episode of the season, ‘White Mischief’, follows Rishi as details of his private life begin to spill into the public eye.

It takes place at Christmas, usually a feel-good time of rest and recovery, but Sagar’s character does not have much luck.

Rishi has been taking some risks at work to offset some severe gambling debts of over £200,000 that he owes to an old classmate who is now a bookie.

However, the bookie’s patience has run out, and Rishi is also having some problems in his marriage, which is leading him down a downward spiral.

This thrilling episode follows Rishi’s unravelling and has been likened to Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems.

It was seen as the best episode of the season so far, and the fan reaction proved it.

One fan on X commented: “That Rishi episode in Industry’s new season might be the best piece of television I’ve ever watched.”

Another said: “The Rishi episode of Industry is giving me high blood pressure.”

His episode also highlighted the difficulties South Asian men face in a white-male-dominated space like the financial industry.

Sagar Radia said it was essential for these racial struggles to be covered in Rishi’s episode.

In addition, it spotlights a South Asian man: “In London, there is a section of the British South Asian community that has moved into finance, and they’re dominating finance.”

Rishi also represents an alpha male role in the show, which is not something South Asians are often portrayed as on screen.

Sagar said: “For a long time, in TV and film, we’re the terrorists. We’re the taxi drivers.

“Those types of characters have now evolved into a show like this one. It’s arguably the biggest network on television!

“Someone can now watch it and go Holy c**p; I want to be like Rishi.”

Actors like Riz Ahmed have praised Sagar for his role and he shared his appreciation for how these co-signs make a big difference.

The actor added: “I feel so humbled and lucky when people come up to me and say you’re the representation we’ve needed in this industry.”

The third season of Industry will be available to watch in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer starting October 1, 2024.

In the US, the third season has already started showing on HBO and Max and will conclude on September 29, 2024.

Industry has also been confirmed to be renewed for Season 4, where we will see more of Rishi’s antics.