Hollywood is an image. We project these fantasies on to it, but people are just people. Riz Ahmed fantasyhollywoodimage Change image and share on social
I never thought acting would be a realistic job for me. Because, quite frankly, I didn't see people who looked like me doing it. I quickly realized, that's all the more reason to try. Riz Ahmed actfranklyjob Change image and share on social
Growing up in the mid-to-late '90s in London, you start seeing the explosion of drum'n'bass and then the birth of U.K. garage and grime. I decided to focus a lot of my energies as an aspiring MC. It was a very natural way to express yourself as a kid from a certain kind of neighborhood. Riz Ahmed 90saspirebas share on social
As a minority, no sooner do you learn to polish and cherish one chip on your shoulder than it's taken off you and swapped for another. The jewellery of your struggles is forever on loan, like the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the crown jewels. Riz Ahmed cherishchipcrown share on social
I'm not trying to project any persona. Often people don't know where to put me. I don't fit comfortably under banners, and that's fine. I'm not worried about not making sense to people. That's probably my best asset. Riz Ahmed assetbannercomfortably share on social
I'm not in a 'starry' position to be able to pick and choose, but I am interested in telling stories of substance with great directors - that's my only guiding principle. Riz Ahmed choosedirectorgreat Change image and share on social
The fact is, I've been releasing records longer than I've been releasing films, or at least exactly as long. Riz Ahmed factfilmhave Change image and share on social
I go to a lot of stand-up comedy. I find more inspiration from observational stuff than from rap. Riz Ahmed comedyfindinspiration Change image and share on social
It's interesting that we assign the label 'political' to art that doesn't just fit a mould of status quo. Is 'Downton Abbey' not political? That's political! Every piece of art offers a perspective on the world. And what is politics if not a perspective on the world? 'Downton Abbey' is about class. It's also about race. Riz Ahmed abbeyartassign share on social
The music I make and the process of acting, for me, are both about trying to understand people and get inside what makes us tick. That's the main thing that excites me. Our sense of who we really are and what drives us. Riz Ahmed actdriveexcite share on social