Osman swaps classes for the film cameras

OSMAN Arshad directing on the set of Finding Fatimah

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JUST two years after quitting the classroom, a former Oldham teacher has written and directed his first film which is released nationwide in cinemas tomorrow.

Osman Arshad, who taught at Royton and Crompton School and was head of ICT and business at Hathershaw College from 2008 to 2015, is hoping his first foray into the movie-making business with "Finding Fatimah" will be a box office smash.

Osman, who lives in Bury but is originally from Halifax, said he taught himself to make films in his spare time and took the plunge to make it his career in 2015.

He was approached to make the movie by British Muslim TV who also funded the project.

The result is a rom-com set in Manchester which features Oldham actress Shobna Gulati and stars EastEnders and Goodness Gracious Me actress, Nina Wadia, Danny Ashok and Asmara Gabrielle.

It centres around the cultural taboo of divorce but there's a twist, says Osman.

"It's a Muslim-centric rom-com but I wanted to make it as British as possible so it's accessible to a wider audience," said Osman.

"Divorce is a cultural taboo within south east Asian communities; there's a stigma attached to it but with this movie I wanted to turn it on its head and it's not the woman who is divorced.

"The lead woman in this film is a doctor who is strong and in control. It's the guy who's complicated and struggling to find someone because of his divorce."

Osman says it's been a fast and furious journey from page to screen.

The film was exclusively premiered last week up and down the country - including at Oldham Coliseum - by the Penny Appeal charity and is now showing across the UK and at Showcase Manchester, Odeon Printworks and Odeon Trafford Centre.

"It was a challenge to make a film with under £500,000, moving from location to location," said Osman. "It took 13 months from script to screen. It's been pretty full-on and a bit daunting really as two years ago I was still working in the classroom.

"I feel very blessed and hope I get the opportunity to continue making films but I do miss teaching and I miss the kids so much.

"I have such fond memories of working in Oldham. People think you leave teaching because you hated it or something went wrong but it wasn't the case at all for me. I loved it but I wanted to do something creative and I really wanted to make films.

"I still keep in touch with people at Royton and Crompton and Hathershaw and some of the kids came to the film's premiere in Manchester which was fantastic."