Sajeela Kershi discusses hecklers, Christian Slater and praying to the comedy gods.

Tell us about your Fringe show

I'm doing 'Immigrant Diaries' at the Assembly rooms a true storytelling show, a light hearted positive antidote to all the anti-immigration rhetoric. We've got some really great guests with fascinating stories lined-up.

I'm very excited to finally bring this lovely little show to the Edinburgh Fringe hot from a sell-out run at the Southbank Changing Britain Festival, Brighton fringe and the House of Lords.

I'm also doing my new solo show 'Shallow Halal' at the free fringe – which is about how a muslim agnostic in agony fits into the 21st century – how can we as individuals make a difference.

Best thing about the Fringe?

Being away from my regular homelife for a month

Worst thing about the Fringe?

Being away from my regular homelife for a month

How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

Since 2006 I think i've only missed two fringes.

Favourite Fringe venue?

I've always been a free fringe gal but last year I came for a week and hosted Mary Bourkes show 'Funny for a Grrrl' at The Stand. OMG they have the best model and they really look after their acts, everyone right down to the tec and flyerers look happy. I've always LOVED the Assembly Rooms, it's proper posh - so it's bit of a dream come true doing my Immigrant Diaries show there.

Best Fringe memory?

My first Edinburgh I was doing a three hand show with a couple of friends – I also answered a request asking for an arabic woman to be an integral part of a Edinburgh veteran's show – I blagged my way through not being of Arabic decent, demanding to know why it HAD to be a specific ethnicity. I didn't know who anybody was, I only communicated with those involved on the phone or by email. I constantly questioned stuff about my character, etc and, much to my surprise, I still got the part! Great I thought, means I can flyer my own show and I can get people to the important show i.e. mine!

It was my first Edinburgh and I just assumed big name acts and famous reviewers always bought you drinks and wanted to talk to open spots. I was completely clueless as to what a big Edinburgh beast the show I was using for flyering purposes was. My favourite moment came at the end of that month, at the Edinburgh Awards ceremony as I stood in the crowd and saw Christian Slater present the Best Edinburgh show award to Brendon Burns for the show that I was an integral part  in! He deservedly won the award!

I was so excited for him and us the team but gutted I didnt get to snog/ I mean shake hands with Christian Slater – but that moment lives alongside my other fave moment, the year after as part of Brendon's team I got to present best newcomer award to Sarah Millican – Brendon dressed as a gladiator and me looking all Bollywood in a pink sari! I've been working backward in my career ever since!

I would LOVE to pick up an award in Edinburgh for my own shows – especially Immigrant Diaries – come on comedy gods make it so!

Best heckle?

Angry Glaswegian at the back of the room, 'we don't hate you coz you're Asian, we hate you coz your English!'

Craziest on stage experience?

A few years ago I was hosting my all female late night compilation show 'Funny Fillies'. I think there had been a bit of a misunderstanding between me and one of the acts, I think she thought it was a different kind of show. 'Pussy-Go-Lightly' should have been a clue as to her act.

As soon as I announced her, she came onstage with a fur coat, a little portable tiny tape recorder and danced awkwardly to a room full of oblivion. It got more awks the more clothing she took off, the audience looked more interested in the moth circling the light near the ceiling. She went down to her nipple tassles, thrusting her money makers in peoples faces. One chap yawned and looked away, another sighed 'I'm so tired'. In that moment I thought we are all THAT woman shaking our metophorical career titties for a whole month to a jaded Edinburgh crowd. I could hear this poor woman's internal dialogue screaming, 'what more do you want from me'.

The most uncomfortable seven minutes of my life and even more awkward the moment I had to go back onstage after she had left. As soon as the music ended she grabbed her tape recorder, her discarded clothes and the last bit of her dignity and ran out onto the Royal Mile with just her thong & nipple tassles to protect her modesty. She probably had to have hypnosis to remove that memory.

What’s on your rider?

Mineral Water, rope, gaffer tape. Like a girl guide I like to be prepared!

How do you wind down after a show?

Watch soaps – or read a book for inspiration like... Misery. Imagine if the story was about an Edinburgh show reviewer and not a romance writer….hmmn might need to add axe to my rider.

What do you love about Scotland?

I love the historical buildings in Scotland, I love that scottish people have a real sense of self of who they are and where they come from but without it excluding outsiders or being too nationalistic.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

I love the city, it's truly beautiful like a fairytale city with its own castle!

What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

I have eaten a deep fried mars bar, I thought if its good enough for Nigella – huge mistake!  I was oozing mars bar sweat from every pore of my body for days after.

What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?

Funny ones!

Favourite joke?

The school cast me, an Asian Immigrant, as Mary in the school nativity play

The school bully was playing Joseph

Joseph to Mary “you can't play Mary'

Mary: Why not?

Joseph: you can't play Mary….coz Mary was British!

Sajeela Kershi will perform Shallow Halal at the Laughing Horse on August 6-11, 13-16, 18-23 and 25-30, and Immigrant Diaries at the Assembly Rooms from August 6-16 and 18-30.