Sagar Radia Balances His Alpha-Male Energy on ‘Industry’ With Some Alone Time

Sagar Radia calls Rishi Ramdani, the take-no-prisoners market maker he plays on the HBO finance drama “Industry,” a walking red flag.

“He’s an alpha male, he leads with his chest out,” Radia said. “And he’s the epitome of bravado, which is so fascinating, because for someone like myself who comes from a British South Asian background as an actor, we don’t get the chance to play those types of roles.”

He added: “Unless your name is Riz Ahmed or Dev Patel, everything in between is so limited.”

So when Radia, 37, was told that he would be getting a stand-alone episode in Season 3, which started last month, he thought it was a lovely idea but didn’t expect it to happen. And yet it did.

He recalled reading the script for the fourth episode, in which Rishi’s life spirals into chaos as he tries to extract himself from snowballing debt, and thinking, “I need to do everything I can to make them feel like they made the right choice.”

In a video call from London, Radia talked about the pleasures of a “Suits” rewatch, working in retail as a struggling actor and the crepes he’ll happily stand in a 45-minute queue for.

These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

1

Cars

My first car was a Rover 500, a very, very basic car that my mom was lucky enough to let me drive. It was hers. She insured me on it. And my second car was this Vauxhall that we had. It was a step up for me. And now, without sounding too bougie about it, I drive a Mercedes GLA. I’m an incredibly independent person. And I just really love driving.

2

Soccer, a.k.a. English Football

I’ve played football since as far back as I can remember. Now I’m in my 30s and I play with my friends who are married and have children, and it’s our opportunity to spend time together in a way that you just don’t get to anymore. We have a laugh, we have a bit of banter, and then everybody goes back to their lives.

3

Alone Time

There’s this common misconception that actors are these big extroverts, and I couldn’t disagree more. Most actors I know don’t need to be the center of attention.

4

La Crêperie de Hampstead

They do crepes. The lady who makes them is French. You’re almost scared to upset her if you don’t say your order the right way. Part of the experience is waiting in the queue, sometimes up to 45 minutes. They are to die for.

5

Rewatching TV Shows

Not too long ago, I rewatched “Suits,” when the whole world jumped on it. I was watching it years ago, and I loved it then. You have this strange affiliation to something because it inevitably makes you think about a time when life was easier.

6

Christmas Eve

We used to have these big, big family events during Christmas. We’d all stay over, and me and my cousins would sleep downstairs next to each other on the floor, and we’d wake up and open presents together. It was a very “Home Alone” vibe without losing anybody. Me and my cousins, we’re a bit older now. So we play Texas Hold’em after a lot of the kids have gone to bed.

7

A Morning Cup of Tea

It gets the energy going, it starts my day. Just a basic English Breakfast tea bag, hot water, a splash of milk, one sugar and that’s me.

8

Manchester United

The first game I ever watched was in 1994, the FA Cup final at Wembley. It was Manchester United versus Chelsea, and Manchester United won four nil. Now, had Chelsea won four nil, this may be a very different conversation.

9

Working in Retail

Coming up as an actor, you make money where you can, especially in your early 20s. I went to work in Selfridges in London. I remember people would come in and my heart would sink because these were the people who were on your same level when you were at school. And now they’re paying for clothes that you are putting in a bag for them.

10

Wearing Sunglasses

It has a stigma to it — people feel like you’re unapproachable or you don’t want to talk to anyone. But it’s not that. When I’m out and not necessarily in my alone time, it’s my way of staying within myself without too much distraction or feeling the need to take in too much stimulation.