Bhavna Limbachia on Rana's Struggle

Bhavna Limbachia talks about Rana's struggles with her sexuality. What does her affair with Kate mean for Rana's relationship with her family?

How do Rana’s parents react when they realise the relationship between Kate and Rana is still going on?

Rana’s family are absolutely disgusted and feel betrayed that she’s broken the terms of the contract. In desperation to cover up their daughter’s shame they take drastic measures to make sure that Rana and Kate can’t be together.

When Rana’s mum calls to say she’s going to Pakistan to see her dying sister why does Rana agree to go with, despite how strained their relationship has been?

Rana believes the only way she can make things right and win her mum round is to be her support system for her dying sister. She feels so guilty and so ashamed of what she’s done that she doesn’t question anything.

Imran starts to think her mum’s story doesn’t quite add up, are any alarm bells ringing for Rana?

This is the first time that Rana feels like she’s in control of the situation, where she feels she can actually resolve her relationship with her mum. She knows she’s disappointed her parents and brought shame on the family by breaking the contract but this is the last hope for Rana to try and put things right.

Rana’s just caught up in trying to do the right thing by everybody.

Rana’s parents go to extreme measures in their bid to keep Rana and Kate apart, while doing your research were you shocked to realise that this isn’t uncommon?

I’ve been working with the Naz and Matt Foundation and have heard many stories about saving face in the community. They do go to extreme measures to cover up anything they don’t agree with. Physical violence and kidnappings are not uncommon within the Asian community when it comes to their child’s sexuality.

Have you found this a really important storyline to work on?

It’s very important, people need a voice, this issue is still very taboo in the Asian community, and other communities, and I think it’s important to raise awareness. Hopefully we can spark conversation and let people know there’s support available if they find themselves in this position.

Where do you think Kate and Rana can go from here, can Rana have a happy relationship without her parents in her life?

I’d like to think she can resolve things with her family to a certain extent but Rana’s never going to be the same again after this week’s episodes.

The measures her parents take to force them apart are so extreme but I think Rana and Kate have been through so much and faced so many hurdles already that I hope the end goal to be together can be realised. They’ve fought this far, I think they’ll be willing to fight all the way.

British Soap Awards

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