Curry Canyon

Drama of the Week

BBC

Drama, Fiction

3.9 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 22 August 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the heart of Glasgow’s “Curry Canyon” during the 2009 recession, aspiring journalist Halima returns home to help at her family’s struggling tandoori restaurant, just as a campaign erupts to crown chicken tikka masala a Scottish national treasure.

While her dad sees opportunity in the publicity, Halima’s exposé on the roots of the dish sparks unintended consequences that could upend everything. A warm-hearted drama exploring family, food, and the price of telling your truth.

This drama is fictional, but is inspired by the real 2009 campaign to recognise Chicken Tikka Masala as a Glaswegian invention.

CAST (in order of appearance) Halima .... Talia Marwaha Waseem ..... Shahan Hamza Zainab ..... Zara Janjua Usama ..... Archie Lal Jennifer ..... Aoife Moss News Reporter/Officer ..... Jason Barnett

Writer ..... maatin Director ..... Anne Isger Sound ..... Andy Garrett and Keith Graham Production Co-ordinator ..... Ben Hollands

A BBC Studios Audio Production

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:05.2	This is Drama of the Week.
0:09.8	Curry Canyon by Matine. Bill, would you believe it? Another chicken teak masala with plain rice?
0:30.6	Oh, extra mild?
0:31.6	Aye, chef. Even suggested they try something else. Branch out. Not interested.
0:39.1	What can I say? They can't resist my chicken tica masala.
0:42.9	Told me to cheer up love. It's 2009, big fella. Can't you believe we're still doing that sort of patter?
0:49.0	Typical.
0:51.9	Aren't you sick of making the same thing all day long?
0:56.5	Hey, chug a heap of extra jelly powder in.
1:00.1	See how Mr. Drunk Gora likes it.
1:02.3	We can wash from the window.
1:04.1	You're wicked.
1:05.3	Aye.
1:07.5	So why did you push my poor dad down the stairs?
1:10.0	I didn't. I always knew you were ambitious. But don't you think that poor dad down the stairs? I didn't.
1:11.6	I always knew you were ambitious, but don't you think that's a wee bit much?
1:14.6	Waited until I was off at uni.
1:16.6	Thought you could have the restaurant all for yourself, you terrible, terrible man.
1:20.6	I thought you were studying journalism, not telling fibs.
1:24.6	Pass me the ticca.
1:26.6	I can't.
	...

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