Born and raised in Bromley, a London suburb

Was the only Asian in his school

Wrote four unpublished novels as a teen

Began an apprenticeship in London theatres

Worked as usher at Royal Court Theatre, London

Wrote pornographic magazine fiction under the pseudonym Antonia French

At 18 had play produced at Royal Court Theatre

Had his first full-length play, "The Mother Country", produced

Wrote a radio play entitled "You Can't Go Home"

Became writer-in-residence at Royal Court Theatre

Had his second play, "Borderline", produced by the Royal Court

Wrote a radio adaptation of Franz Kafka's "The Trial"

Adapted Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children" for the Royal Shakespeare Company

Wrote somewhat autobiographical screenplay for "My Beautiful Laundrette" while visiting relatives in Karachi, Pakistan

Began directing first film (also writer), "London Kills Me"

Wrote script for "My Son the Fanatic"

First produced play in 15 years "Sleep With Me"

Wrote "The Mother," which was adapted into a movie by Roger Michell

Once again worked with Roger Michell who adapted "Venus" into a feature that starred Peter O'Toole and Leslie Phillips