Audiobooks narrated by Adeel Akhtar

The Mahabharata and The Ramayana: Two full-cast BBC Radio dramatisations based on the classic Indian

"Full-cast dramatised retellings of the two most important epic Sanskrit poems of ancient India The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are literary classics, the longest epic poems in world literature, as significant as the Bible, the Qu'ran and the works of Shakespeare. Estimated to have been composed over a period of time around the 3rd and 4th centuries BC, they encompass some of the greatest stories ever told - tales of the deeds of gods and men, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Included here are full-cast BBC Radio adaptations of both, directed by award-winning producer Claire Grove and with original music by acclaimed composer Niraj Chag. Viewed from the perspective of one of the central characters, Yudhishtra, The Mahabharata recounts the struggles of a divided family as they fight over their inheritance and destroy the very thing they seek most - a peaceful and harmonious land. Exiled for 13 years, Yudhishtra knows his cousin will never give up the throne. War is inevitable - but which side will Krishna be on? Paul Battacharjee, Nitin Ganatra and Raad Rawi star in this intimate, accessible reimagining by Jatinder Verma and Claudia Mayer. One of the world's most popular love stories, The Ramayana centres around the separation and reunion of Rama and Sita. When Sita first glimpses the beautiful Prince Rama, she determines to marry him or die. She wins his heart - but his stepmother's plot sees him banished from his position as heir to the throne. Exiled, he retreats to the forest, where Sita is abducted by a ruthless warlord. Rama enlists the help of an army of monkeys to get her back - but has she betrayed him with the evil ruler of Lanka? Manjinder Virk stars as Sita, with Lloyd Thomas as Rama in Amber Lone's distinctive modern version of the ancient legend. Also included is the 5-part series Let's Talk About Rama and Sita, in which award-winning poet and broadcaster Daljit Nagra takes stories from The Ramayana into his community and finds the ancient tales alive with contemporary Asian dilemmas. Are Rama and Sita useful role models for men and women nowadays? How is the duo's relationship relevant to marriage today? And what lessons can the Indian epic teach us about loyalty and betrayal? Produced and directed by Claire Grove Music composed by Niraj Chag The Mahabharata Yudhishtra - Paul Bhattacharjee Krishna - Nitln Ganatra Bhishma - Raad Rawi Dhirtrashtra - Sam Dale Duryodhana - Zubln Varla Arjuna - Paul Bazely Bhima - Danny Sapani Draupadi - Sasha Behar Gandhari - Sudha Buchar Kunti - Indira Joshi Shakuni - Jude Akuwudike Uttara - Saikat Ahamed Dramatised by Jatinder Verma and Claudia Mayer First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-18 February 2007 The Ramayana Sita - Manjinder Virk Rama - Lloyd Thomas Lakshman - Adeel Aktar Ravan - Paul Bhattacharjee Surparnaka - Sasha Behar Dasarath/Sugreeva - Jude Akuwudike Sister/Mandodari - Deeivya Meir Bharat - Saikat Ahamed Hanuman - Kulvinder Ghir Kush - Omar Kent Lava - Neil Reynolds Dramatised by Amber Lone First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 October-7 November 2010 Let's Talk About Rama and Sita Presented by Daljit Nagra First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24-28 February 2014 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Amber Lone, Claudia Mayer, Jatinder Verma (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Full Cast, Kulvinder Ghir, Lloyd Thomas, Manjinder Virk, Nitin Ganatra, Paul Bazely, Paul Bhattacharjee, Raad Rawi, Sasha Behar (Narrator)

Audiobook

Robin Robin: The Official Book of the Film

"Robin Robin is an audiobook adaptation of the animation from Aardman and Netflix. When an egg rolls out of its nest and into a rubbish dump, the little robin inside is discovered and raised by a loving family of burglar mice. As Robin grows up, her differences become more apparent and she starts to feel out of place in her mouse family. Desperate to prove herself, Robin sets off on a daring heist to prove she can be a really good mouse . . . but ends up discovering that she is perfect just the way she is. This heartwarming story pairs themes of acceptance, diversity and community with excitement, adventure and daring escapades to create a timeless tale that’s perfect for the festive season and beyond. Full of gorgeous artwork taken from the handcrafted stop-motion animation, and featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including a materialistic magpie and a thoroughly villainous cat, this charming, warm and witty story is perfect for picture book lovers and animation fans of all ages."

Amanda Li (Author), Adeel Akhtar (Narrator)

Audiobook

Les Misérables: Penguin Classics

"Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by an ensemble cast which includes the BAFTA award-winning actor Adeel Akhtar (Killing Eve; The Night Manager; Les Miserables), Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey; The King's Speech), Natalie Simpson (Outlander; Les Miserables), Emma Fielding (Unforgotten; Les Miserables) and John Owen-Jones, who was the youngest actor ever to play the part of Jean Valjean in the stage show of Les Miserables, and who has appeared as Jean Valjean on Broadway and in the West End. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Robert Tombs. Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, and by the relentless investigations of the dogged policeman Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty. (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Victor Hugo (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Adrian Scarborough, Emma Fielding, John Owen-Jones, Natalie Simpson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Turf Wars: The Complete Series: Four full-cast BBC Radio comedies

"Four comic dramas about boundaries that are both territorial and personal Territory is the theme that unites these four humorous plays - whether that means fighting over an allotment plot, dealing with the sudden partition of a country, guarding the privacy of a garden or battling with the council over school catchment areas. In 'Losing the Plot', shy Edward decides to apply for an allotment plot after an encounter with attractive allotment-holder Amanda. But doing so involves an interview with ferocious site-manager Bernie, who runs the allotments with military rigour. Starring James Fleet as Edward, Joanna Monroe as Amanda and Jonathan Coy as Bernie. Written by Nick Warburton and directed by Peter Kavanagh. In 'An Incident at the Border', Arthur and Olivia are enjoying the sun in their local park on a beautiful summer's day. Olivia is reading a newspaper article on their country's new-found independence. Arthur, who is apolitical, is just enjoying watching the ducks. Suddenly a soldier arrives, dragging a tape across the ground, marking out the new border and barging between the two young people. Now one is on one side of the border, and one on the other! Starring Joseph Kloska as Arthur, Leah Brotherhead as Olivia and Nigel Planer as Reiver. Written by Kieran Lynn and directed by Peter Kavanagh. In 'How's Your Mother?', Humphrey Partridge is reckoned to be anti-social, indeed stand-offish. But he always has an excuse - namely that he has to look after his ailing elderly mother. No-one has ever met the legendary matriarch. Not even nosy Raj the local postman. But one morning when Humphrey is at work, Raj notices a fire in Humphrey's house, breaks in to put it out and makes an extraordinary discovery. Starring Michael Maloney as Humphrey Partridge, Adeel Akhtar as Raj/Sgt Wallis, Sam Dale as Mr Denton/Trevor, Sally Orrock as Mrs Denton and Christine Kavanagh as Mrs Jones. Written by Simon Brett and directed by Peter Kavanagh. In 'The Accidental Head', Beth just wants what's best for her 11 year old son: a solid secondary education at the kind of school that recognises his genius, as well as his aptitude for baroque music. A school like Folgate. But when the family is edged out of Folgate's catchment area, a battle begins. Starring Katherine Parkinson as Beth, Darren Boyd as Jake, Emma Fryer as Ruth Willith, Alex Tregear as the journalist, Sally Orrock as Helen and Brian Bowles as Farmer/Hughes. Written by Jeremy Front and directed by James Robinson."

Jeremy Front, Kieran Lynn, Nick Warburton, Simon Brett (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Full Cast, James Fleet, Joanna Monro, Jonathan Coy, Joseph Kloska, Katherine Parkinson, Leah Brotherhead, Michael Maloney, Nigel Planer (Narrator)

Audiobook

Prenup: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

"A BBC Radio 4 drama looking at the impact on a divorcing couple of recent changes to British prenuptial law. Originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 21 January 2011. Two academics, British Paul (Sam Dale) and American Amy (Sally Orrock), have married in the US with a prenuptial agreement. They did so because Paul's previous marriage ended in a messy divorce, making him wary of future commitment. Paul loves Amy and was relieved to hear that, like him, she doesn't want children. Access issues round his daughter, Iona, have greatly complicated his life in recent years; and because the loss of his house has been traumatic, Amy also generously suggested a 'prenup' to allay his fears of losing more of his property and pension. But now things have gone wrong and Amy has filed for divorce. She has done so in Britain, believing that the agreement they signed before marriage will not take effect. However, the law is about to change... Starring Sam Dale as Paul and Sally Orrock as Amy, Peter Jukes' 'Prenup' also features Christine Kavanagh, Claire Harry, Adeel Akhtar and Deeivya Meir."

Peter Jukes (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Christine Kavanagh, Claire Harry, Deeivya Meir, Sally Orrock, Sam Dale (Narrator)

Audiobook

Incredibly Guilty: A Comic Moral Fable: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

"A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama written by the award-winning screen and stage dramatist Marcy Kahan, and starring Stephen Mangan as Ed, whose life is about to change forever when he accidentally puts National Treasure Penhaligon Rhinehart into a coma. First broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 14 January 2011. It's an important day for Ed Hanson. He has to do two things: present a 'vision statement' to keep hold of his job and propose marriage to his girlfriend, Lucinda. What isn't on Ed's list of things to do is put Penhaligon Rhinehart - author, barrister, circus-clown and National Treasure - into a coma. Ed's life will never be quite the same again... Starring Stephen Mangan ('Green Wing', 'Adrian Mole') as Ed Hanson and Naomi Frederick ('The Trial of Tony Blair') as Lucinda. Also featuring Sean Baker, Joanna Monro, Adeel Akhtar, Naomi Sheldon, Lloyd Thomas and Christine Kavanagh. Directed by Sally Avens."

Marcy Kahan (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Christine Kavanagh, Joanna Monro, Lloyd Thomas, Naomi Frederick, Sean Baker, Stephen Mangan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Adeel Akhtar