A life in full bloom
How alumnus Kamal Kaan Hussain remains rooted through every adventure
Through Kamal Kaan Hussain’s (King’s 2006) exciting and bold adventures, including a recent success on ‘Gardeners’ World’, he embraces his creativity, his heritage, and his experiences.
Kamal’s accent has evolved from his upbringing in Bradford into, in his own words, “a hybrid of lived experiences”, which reflects his adventurous spirit. But his love for his home city remains unchanged as he encourages other alumni to celebrate their backgrounds.
Currently working as a freelance screenwriter, Kamal entered his humble Bradford garden for this year’s ‘Gardeners’ World’ competition, going on to win the popular vote.
In the depths of his latest screenwriting project, aptly a horticultural-inspired drama, Kamal reflects on his journey so far, and how his time at Cambridge empowered him to stay true to himself and what he loves.
‘Applying to a building’: curiosity over convention
Kamal’s current job in screenwriting seems worlds away from his upbringing in a Bangladeshi household in Bradford. “Both of my parents were illiterate. I’m number 7 out of 10 siblings, and none of my older siblings had gone to university.”
But Kamal’s keen eye for architecture drew him to Oxbridge. “Before Google, ‘The University Prospectus’ listed every UK university.
"I remembered flicking over to Oxford and saying to my sister, ‘Wow, look at this building.’”
This fascination with historic structures bridged the gap to Cambridge. “During my A levels, I did a unit on Islamic architecture, and then I found out that Cambridge taught architecture.”
King's College
King's College
Kamal had to find his own way through Cambridge’s confusing College system: “I went through a list of the big Colleges at Cambridge and, honestly, I just thought King’s would sound great with my name!”
Kamal fell in love with King’s when visiting for his interview. “It was a lovely experience. I even ‘borrowed’ one of the plates as a souvenir because I thought I was never going to come back again!”
Apparently, Kamal still has the plate, so King’s Porters may be on the case soon!
At first, Kamal was concerned about his finances: “I took a gap year working as a teaching assistant and an usher at a theatre, earning about £10 an hour, which was loads in 2005, so I wasn’t sure if it was worth going to university.”
"But his eagerness to learn, and support from Cambridge, pushed him to take the leap.
“I wanted to do something intellectually stimulating. And, luckily, I was offered a scholarship by King's to pay for the tuition fees as they were introduced in 2006.”
Matriculating in sandals
From day one at Cambridge, Kamal was unapologetically himself. “At matriculation, I turned up with spiky hair and I wore sandals, just because I like wearing them.”
Even though Kamal’s parents didn’t know much about Cambridge, they still showed their support: “My parents packed me a cooler box full of about 20 portions of curry.
"They said: at least for the first 20 days, you won’t go without a curry!”
Luckily, King's provided a freezer to store all these curries.
Kamal in his first year project designing a living chair
Kamal in his first year project designing a living chair
Despite being stocked up with food from home, coming to Cambridge was a daunting prospect.
“The communities I was brought up in were 80 per cent South Asian, so going to Cambridge, where it was majority white, I was a little wary.”
But Kamal felt valued by those around him.
“My best friend, Jane, who also did architecture at King’s, said to me, ‘I completely respect that you don’t drink.’
"It was such a lovely thing to say; I never felt excluded even though our practices were different.”
Creating space for the arts
Kamal’s motto: experience everything Cambridge has to offer.
“There was a Bollywood film being shot at Trinity, and my friend, Andrew, and I found out that the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was going to be there!”
“We ran back to our rooms, dressed up in tuxedos, and just walked onto the set pretending to be extras!”
Kamal and Andrew not only got away with their spontaneous shot at fame, but they even got £50 for taking part.
Kamal in King's Chapel for 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'
Kamal in King's Chapel for 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'
Inspired by his first success in (or at least near) the spotlight, Kamal continued to thrive in the Cambridge theatre scene.
“In my third year, we did a production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, even touring Japan.”
King’s granted Kamal permission to perform the play in King’s Chapel. “The Dean told me that no one had performed theatre in the chapel since 1905, so it felt like such an honour.”
He credits Cambridge in part for nurturing his creative ambitions. “I’m glad that my tutors gave me the space to put my energy into the arts.
"Architecture underpinned my work, but performing was what I chose to move forward with.”
Having the space to pursue acting propelled Kamal’s creative career.
“The day after my graduation, I had an audition for a five-part drama series up in Leeds! And I got the part!”
In fact, his architecture degree and teachers emboldened him to take the leap into theatre. “My supervisor told me that I could make films through my architecture degree.”
“It planted the seed that architecture doesn’t just have to be about constructing buildings: it gives you the infrastructure that you can apply to other fields and subjects.”
And his architecture degree still informs his work
“To me, theatre, is like architecture, but with words: I build fictional worlds for characters to inhabit.”
Returning home
Unlike many Cambridge graduates who head to London, Kamal returned home.
“I wanted to take life at my own pace, although it was quite a struggle travelling between Bradford and London for auditions.”
However, Kamal sees his decision to return to Bradford as beneficial for his career.
“It felt like a blessing as there was less competition for acting roles. Everything is online nowadays, so living up north meant that I could live quite cheaply and pursue acting.”
Kamal persevered for a couple of years, but academia beckoned his return.
“I missed the intellectual rigour at Cambridge and being connected to research.”
Kamal returned to his studies, obtaining an MA in scriptwriting at the University of Glasgow.
“I liked that the course was practical. It turned me from an unsure freelancer into a certified writer.”
Kamal at the Premiere for 'Ali & Ava' at London Film Festival
Kamal at the Premiere for 'Ali & Ava' at London Film Festival
Since 2013, Kamal has worked as a freelance writer, supporting himself through part-time work.
Sharing his experiences from Cambridge springboarded Kamal’s writing career.
“My first commission for Radio 4 was a drama called 'Breaking up with Bradford' in 2017.
"It was about a character who’s just graduated from Cambridge and moved back home to Bradford. Thanks to its success, I became a firm favourite for Radio 4.”
It led to his first screenwriting role for the film ‘Ali and Ava’, which was double BAFTA-nominated.
"I thought to myself: 'Amazing, my experiences of Cambridge have got me a BAFTA nomination!”
Turning a humble plot into something beautiful
‘Gardeners’ World’ is not necessarily a detour from Kamal’s many other pursuits: “When I studied architecture, we looked at the design of English country gardens and Islamic gardens."
Kamal turned this intellectual fascination into practical skill.
“I did a diploma in horticulture, and I love ‘Gardener’s World’, so I thought why not enter their competition?"
"I never thought I’d win because I have a tiny garden; I had only been learning for 2 years; and I was the youngest person in the final!”
Through his modest garden in Saltaire, Bradford, Kamal wanted to share a message:
“My aim was to turn a modest space in a city into something beautiful.
"It’s not just something I’ve created for myself, but it’s something that both nature and people can enjoy as well.”
Kamal won the popular vote for ‘Gardeners’ World’, which has opened new doors for his career.
“I contacted ‘Gardener’s World’ to let them know that there has never been a British Bangladeshi presenter on the show.
"They got back to me asking for a show reel, so you never know!”
And his triumph has inspired new creative ideas:
“I pitched a horticulture-related drama series for Radio 4, and it got commissioned."
"I even contacted Carol Klein, a presenter on 'Gardeners’ World', to be on the show and she said yes!”
Kamal’s journey shows the importance of taking his roots with him, wherever he goes, and ‘blooming where he is planted’!
Cambridge helped him on this journey, emboldening him to embrace all kinds of opportunities.
Who knows where he will be in a few years’ time? Perhaps if you tune into ‘Gardeners’ World’, you might find out!