Riz Ahmed Opens Up on Chaos, Comedy, and Defying Categorisation
Riz Ahmed, the multi-hyphenate British star, has built a career on versatility, but it hasn't shielded him from hilariously awkward real-life moments. In a candid interview, he reflects on the gap between his public persona and private chaos, his new TV show Bait, and the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a restless creative drive.
A Day of Multitasking Mayhem
Ahmed recounts a chaotic February day in London when he was multitasking an interview while collecting his child from school. "I'm late for the school run. I'm stuck in traffic. I'm double parked on a double yellow line, doing the interview, looking over my shoulder," he says, describing how a traffic warden approached as he hit another car. The driver, incensed, yelled, "What the fuck are you doing?!" while Ahmed tried to mute the call and negotiate insurance details. "He goes, 'You drive like that? I hope you don't get the job,'" Ahmed recalls, bursting into laughter at the absurdity.
Bridging Persona and Reality
This incident highlighted the divide between performance and reality for Ahmed, who has starred in roles from Shakespearean Hamlet to sci-fi blockbusters. His new show, Bait, premiering on Prime Video, explores this theme through Shah Latif, a struggling actor who bungles a Bond audition but ends up in the running for the role. "Bait is about how life can feel like one big audition," Ahmed explains, noting its relatability beyond acting. "We're all projecting a version of ourselves that's different to who we really are, exacerbated by social media rewiring our brains."
A Career of Defying Labels
Ahmed's filmography spans satirical comedies like Four Lions, dramas such as The Night Of (which won him an Emmy), and Hollywood hits like Rogue One. He deliberately avoids being pigeonholed, stating, "I've made a very deliberate choice to do Four Lions and Sound of Metal, to do Nightcrawler and The Night Of. That's due to my own restlessness." Recently, he has focused on personal projects, co-writing and starring in Mogul Mowgli and winning an Oscar for the short film The Long Goodbye.
Awkward Moments and Comedy Aspirations
Despite his serious roles, Ahmed is a natural comedian, with stories of being mistaken for Dev Patel or nearly fist-bumping the late Queen. "The dream is to be a standup comedian, but everyone who knows me says, 'Please don't do that,'" he jokes, admiring comedians like Hasan Minhaj for their raw honesty. He traces this back to school, where he played the joker to get noticed among older peers.
Balancing Fatherhood and Creativity
Ahmed, married to novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza with a toddler, grapples with balancing work and family. "Balance is the biggest question in my life right now," he says, discussing the tension between modelling a passionate work ethic and being present for his child. He reflects on his parents' sacrifices, with his father often away for months, and aims to learn from their example while avoiding pitfalls.
Political Views and Artistic Integrity
Ahmed has been outspoken on issues like Palestine, signing letters and performing at fundraisers. When asked about repercussions in Hollywood, he states, "I'm sure there's some people that maybe didn't like what I've said ... But I want to model a way of being that aligns to my values." He emphasises his calls for respect for international law and human rights as non-controversial.
Looking Ahead with Maximalist Vision
Ahmed describes Bait as a genre-smashing mix of comedy, thriller, and family drama, inspired by tonal whiplash in Shakespeare. "I want to kill categories. I want the things I do to smash through those genres," he declares. As he heads off for another school run, he notes, "Friction is where meaning comes from," embracing the chaos that fuels his art and life.
