Riz Ahmed on Gaza, Hollywood, Protests, and Storytelling

[@jennifermackinnon6982]

Absolutely wonderful interview. I love Riz Ahmed. He is such a talented actor but it's also so intelligent and sensitive and I love hearing his thoughts on life. Now this interview couples with mehdi Hassan it's just great because he's one of my favorite journalists. Love watching him interview somebody and not letting them get away with not answering the questions LOL love these two brown guys!!

[@hitreset0291]

Good comment. Addendum; Just remember everyone is the same skin colour when the lights are out.

[@jennifermackinnon6982]

​@@hitreset0291I was joking! Been a big fan of both for many years

[@gxqx797]

​​@@jennifermackinnon6982as a brown guy i wouldnt take offence to being called a brown guy but everyone is different and internalises the 'trauma' of being a different skin tone to the majority of folks in the UK. I definitely have been made to feel different and 'other' countless times in my life but my humour is also dark so i can understand even when white people make a brown guy joke it doesnt always = some deep seated hatred/bigotry. Anyway just thought id say this because i didnt want you to feel bad about the joke you made and hopefully u wont hesitate to make a similar joke in the future just because some people decide to take offence to it without knowing your true intentions/feelings towards those people; but also being able to recognise that those who DO take offence also have a story and maybe the topic is so sensitive for them that even a joke loses its inherent funniness

[@CatPerson4Lyfe]

@@hitreset0291 umm riz literally says brown kids at 3:23 and 4:07 and somehow u big mad that miss jennifer mackintosh says it... umm also skin colour don't change with light it's not photosynthesis making brown guys brown smh

[@CIndy_The_Skull]

I just keep thinking about him in 4 lions and laughing.

[@DanielKoroma-p3o]

Mehdi please don't stop speaking for Palestinians because you are the only neutral journalist they believe in now . And also please upload the video between you and Elon levy debate .

[@maazkalim]

This "channel" doesn't own the rights to that.

[@AaronSmith-x6o]

He's a fraud. He's a dnc puppet. Look how he treats Jill stein the only pro Palestine candidate vs how he treats the dnc. He's a clown.

[@elkapitan75]

We ALL need to speak out against gncd. Doesn't matter how people "feel".

[@EvonywithRamboo]

100% this guys is legit

[@HaggardPillockHD]

What Elon levy debate?

[@simianbarcode3011]

Major respect to you both. I'm still learning to expand my consciousness about race, culture, religion, class, etc. I think these more casual conversations are a great approach to reaching a broader audience. This is how we bridge gaps and clear understandings and build up a stronger and more pluralistic society.

[@rubayaofficial3235]

Wow. I felt at home with this conversation. As an Asian Female Muslim Artist the struggles and the responsive work just resonated. Zeteo Rocks!

[@selvamthiagarajan8152]

Allow-who-ukbaar!

[@rubayaofficial3235]

@@selvamthiagarajan8152 Rumi says....Let Silence Be The Art you Practice!

[@allisojo]

Riz Ahmed...4 Lions...amazing film..

[@lordvadertheleftie9703]

Should have gone Chicken Cottage. Bargain bucket. Proper Halal. £6.99

[@maazkalim]

Find some new reference, bro.

[@NeidlichesSchwert]

Full of low-IQ jokes. Try Sound of Metal.

[@neothe0ne]

“I’m a marta you’re jus tomataz” 😅

[@andrewdarowski1975]

I can't hear "Dancing in the Moonlight" without thinking of Four Lions.

[@rohanxdavis]

We definitely need more of this

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

I know I could use a lot more rizz...😅

[@sihr07]

I NEED this show EVERY WEEK at the very least to survive these weird, heartbreaking times

[@selvamthiagarajan8152]

Allow-who-ukbaar!

[@marianahuzoor25]

Wonderful to hear you and Shaykh Omer Suleiman, Riz Ahmed in conversation. This is new ground.

[@lubnahassan7932]

Huge fan of both of you ! I’ve lived through and am living in a province in Pakistan which has been ripped apart by other countries agenda ! So rings a bell . Stay blessed!!! PS I’m a 71yr. Young gynaecologist in khyberpukhtun khwa , Peshawar , Pakistan.

[@reez1728]

What has ripped apart KP is its religious extremism and toxic elements of pashtunwali. Stop bachabaazi and live in the 21st century.

[@Fly.withJet]

Other countries agenda? 😂 Your Pakistan is known puppet that destroyed its neighbouring nations just to make dollars through U.S and Brits. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@BrookT786]

May Allah bless you for your amazing work as a doctor

[@umarzilla]

Amazing work and pleased to see the profession growing there!

[@Thefloristgang4pf]

Thank you for all you do❤

[@MK-wk6yx]

Such an enlightened talk by two intelligent ppl .. thanks for being upfront about the Palestinian issue ... loved listening to you .. keep going strong Mehdi ❤

[@bhaimazaq6968]

Two words BEST and BRILLIANT conversation to date..Riz rocked 🙌

[@DrG79]

I have been a fan since I first saw Riz in Britz and I still remember the incredible piece he wrote for The Guardian in 2016 ‘Typecast as a terrorist’ which I highly recommend.

[@HaHaLooLoo]

Great episode plz have Riz on more. The comparisons between UK and USA life is very true. Spot on. 2 great minds

[@felipetam]

I think it's amazing how the South Asian community in London carved their own space into media and culture, how much they've been able to keep their culture and also break into the old traditional (colonial?) spaces bringing a modern and new viewpoint. I kinda feel "jealous" of it as someone from the East Asian diaspora when I watch my own community of Hong Kong immigrants whose culture was also molded by British Colonialism still keeping so insular and marginal or being forced to erase their own identities to somehow be "accepted". The success of South Asians making themselves seen and unapologizingly breaking into modern British culture is aspirational for me. I sincerely hope for a day when people from the Chinese diaspora who were subjected to colonial rule will have their voices and experiences be recognized and accepted as part of modern Britain.

[@themrmoustacheman]

What a beautiful comment

[@sidra162]

It's interesting that in North America, it's the reverse where people of East Asian descent have been able to hold on to their identity while also carving out a space in mainstream media. While the South Asian community remained underrepresented and very insular, especially the Muslim South Asians whose main representation has been through a colonial lens.

[@MattDevine-j4f]

Well put 👏

[@overzealouseuthanasiast9731]

Love Riz Ahmed's work from early beginnings to the international stage of modern days, wonderful to see him fighting the good fights, and great to see this team up of inspiring people here! Mogul Mowgli a recommend watch too 👌

[@faridamazhar5114]

Bravo to you both for standing up for Muslims!

[@Nerdnp22]

This was so interesting. Thank you Mehdi and Riz!!

[@aneebaba06]

This was a great conversation guys! Lots of ma'sha'allah. Thanks to you both for what you do!

[@samysam645]

What a great conversation! Really enjoyed this. Both amazing people mashallah.

[@shamspuri2493]

Mehdi’s podcasts are inspirational and empowering for South Asians and hopefully for all people of colour. These conversations are so relatable for us all.

[@brownenerdygurl]

I am a long time fan of both of you. I've listened to Riz for years. It's was great to hear Mehdi say that the freedoms that POC immigrants enjoy were paved by Black Americans. Some South Asians forget or don't know that and have teamed with right-wingers to undo the Black Civil rights gains. This is always to their detriment. For example: Those students who sued Harvard and got Affirmative Action overturned, because they thought that Black students were somehow inferior to them and undeserving of their placements, have now learned that they were beneficiaries of the very program they dismantled. Harvard was never going to add more POC. The placements they thought they would win went to white students. Black and Asian percentages stayed the same. All AA did was require Harvard to take a look at and recruit the best underrepresented students; white women, disabled students, and racial minorities of all kinds. Now, they don't have to. They can ignore them...and it looks like, based on admission data, they have. So, it was refreshing to hear Mehdi acknowledge history because it rarely is acknowledged.

[@jmafeef]

I loved this conversation. Thank you!

[@bashash6013]

London isn't the UK it's just the capital city. Just as Islamabad is not Pakistan. As soon as you step outside London there's plenty of segregation especially between the English and Asian Muslim communities. Also Islamophobia isn't hidden in the UK compared to the US. We've literally just had riots across the country that were mainly driven by Islamophobia and racism.

[@marioguidotomasone1265]

Not sure how the situation is up north since here (I'm from Italy) we just have a partial view, but I'm under the impression that in Scotland islamophobia and segregation are not so dire. Is it so?

[@Nashema1]

Build our own systems, exactly!

[@nsagoogle9581]

We are the immovable force.

[@aamirrazak3467]

Awesome seeing Riz on the show, great episode as always Mehdi!

[@yazzjustheretocomment]

"catch me in Ambala, Ealing Rd, EVERY EID, and I'm looking for you!" YES RIZ AHMED

[@AfzalHussein]

This was a great conversation.

[@thamaratarek2272]

One of the favourite interviews on Zeteo

[@ms1498]

Riz said it...excelling in your own space in your own creation not in another system or world

[@BlessedYakub]

Two of my fav ppl

[@Hamlet2369]

"Bridging the divides created by people who profit from it" I mean that is gold

[@bilalshafi5619]

Riz is a muslim who lived his entire life in England, visited Pakistan a few time and still visits his country once in a while, speaks up for his kind and calls himself a muslim. Kumail on the other hand was born in Pakistan. Lived his entire childhood in Pakistan and moved to the US when he was 18 and didn’t ever visited his country again, left his religion, mocks his culture most of the times and never speaks up for his kind. So maybe the difference is that Riz always lived in the UK among the diaspora with his family while Kumail lived in a satanic world alone without his family.

[@bravestone8933]

Noticed how South Asian or Middle Eastern are so charming and related in many ways.

[@mdncthetruth2556]

Not all but these guys definitely are that

[@rehan3600]

I agree that South Asian and Middle Eastern people are definitely very similar.

[@kadirs377]

Neither of them are middle eastern …

[@aziza000]

Both are South Asians (thanks for correcting me), and Middle Eastern people look down on us all the time lol. We are not the same at all.

[@samlatooni]

​@@aziza000 Just say " yes! U are right", don't waste your breath.

[@zakm9180]

Thanks lads. That was awesome. ‘We’ don’t have enough representation in the media universe. Glad you guys exist.

[@zaheer01-abbas]

I am absolutely delighted you guys did this. I can't believe how close you both are 2 people I genuinely have huge respect for

[@joannekelly2770]

You guys are hysterical - Thank you Mehdi for this interview. Riz is my favourite actor - maybe you can do do a mini-series with Riz. Best of luck with the comedy Riz!!!

[@Marcellat]

Should’ve known that Rizz Ahmed stated this very thing in an interview and it surprised me. Now I understand, and you knowing Mehd… makes sense!! 💙💙💙💙

[@maazkalim]

Riz Ahmed* There! Or spell-out his first/given name in full, if you think you can't manage to spell that short-form right. FIFY

[@dalehargreaves966]

Thx Medhi and Riz 🌿 🇳🇿🇦🇺

[@taraz6786]

I loved this, time flew by watching this. It also reminded me that the true meaning of courage and bravery is choosing to do what’s right in spite of the fallout. Melissa Barrera still has my utmost respect for risking and ultimately sacrificing somewhat, her lucrative career. It’s mind boggling to me that she is in the minority, rather than the majority, but I am an avid fan of her now, not only because of her talent, but also due to her intelligence and integrity, as with Riz and Mehdi. I’m glad the collective consciousness is slowly waking up and fighting against institutionalized bigotry, slow as it may seem.

[@aasiyahassan3354]

Refreshingly authentic! Thank you 💜

[@saadalizeb]

I loved this conversation. Thank you.

[@ziah3935]

I really enjoyed this conversation 👍🏼

[@shifaali1997]

Wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed the conversation!

[@unstopable50]

This was a beautiful discussion. Roasting one another, serious topics, personal experiences, etc. Thank you for a quality episode. Looking forward to more high quality content from Mehdi, as always.

[@NidoZizi]

where is Bassem Youssef ?? i hope you still doing the show with him !!!!!

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

Bassem Youssef is based in Los Angeles. These two are in London. That's like 11 hours apart by Airbus. Avoid flying on Boeing airplanes.

[@TheBoneruner]

Great show

[@SamAhad-qx2nn]

The 'capital' of the schemes and scams is IsraHELL and it’s good to know your “capital” of the world and also the captain of all NaZionester followers so what is the next step IsraHELL? Media empire finally dig themselves lots of graves hooray and we will see this in history so be it! In the other hand we do hope people will investigate to make sure the same devils that has ruined society with media will not be allowed to run social media platforms again because they will be no turning back for society so be it! British E descendants hypocrisy always, would you all like explanation, examples of what these evils devils have done, or are still doing to the people & world hundreds of years ago to date and where shall we start and do we have enough time to lay-out A to Z in each alphabet order and each have about 100 series before the world end?

[@ICHope1]

Thank you both for sharing this conversation. This is interesting and enlightening. God bless you both, your families, your careers.

[@ӨмірбекСмағұл]

Proud of your voice Mehdi. It may be beneficial to host Hala Rharrit, the ex-arabic language spokesperson for the US Dept of State. She could shine light on the growing crisis as someone from the “belly of the beast”. Appreciate all the work you’re doing.

[@maazkalim]

Not relevant to this podcast, though.

[@rosetinteddays2605]

Two great minds in one room! What a treat! We need more of this!

[@dadmezz4024]

I learn so much listening to your discussions.

[@crazybird786]

Riz and Mehdi, thank you for this. As a Muslim growing up in the West, and watching the recent events such as the race riots in the UK recently, I have lately been feeling a little unnerved. This discussion felt so personal, reflecting my own journey as someone whose life is an amalgamation of aspects from the East and the West.

[@OptionsInsight]

Awesome conversation guys! Representing for the British Asians and trying to change the world for the better. Respect!

[@ipitchford]

A heartwarming and insightful conversation between two genuinely decent people. Well done.

[@Travel-oq3bc]

Watched one of his movies last night.Great actor

[@yildizstopford7176]

Wow, you are both speaking in my language. It's so great to hear your honest, raw and open discussion as a brown people. I agree it's better not to fit into the mainstream white expectations as we will lose. Better we focus on doing what is right for us. Keep up the great work you are both doing in educating people

[@AnalyseThat]

Great conversation, guys. Keep up the good work.

[@Nishful5]

Thanks guys for this interview! An interview I didn’t realize how much I needed!

[@oezibanana8664]

Genuinely good guy. Suprising in the abyss, that is our world.

[@marjybzzz2381]

They may feel like they did not follow their family with an academic career but they both went to Oxford University, one of the hardest University to get into.

[@HaggardPillockHD]

More of a conservative uni than Cambridge or UCL

[@maazkalim]

You meant RW, "@@HaggardPillockHD"? And hey.. Here we 'meet', a-gain...!

[@johnmckiernan2176]

They both went to Merchant Taylors School, one of the most exclusive schools in the UK. School fees at the school are £26,766 for the school year 2024-25, They're posh boys, not clever boys.

[@Nishful5]

⁠@@johnmckiernan2176 Riz got into Merchant Taylors on a scholarship, so clever not posh.

[@geekylove3603]

​@johnmckiernan2176 How can you be certain either of them is not clever?

[@kittyorasheepy]

Dang, I wanted more. This conversation needs a prolonged continuation, please.

[@meiqbalcpm]

Lovely to watch these Brown People... and Hello Riz... You're so cool ...

[@prowest6715]

I have huge respect for Mehdi Hassan. He has not cowered or pandered to those around him and has stood proud as a Muslim and in presenting the counter perspective (which I see as closer to the truth). He faces some very hostile crowds at times and represents his point of view very well. I think most of us would like to be able to present our views in the way Mehdi does. Generally speaking, in the West, the only 'Muslim' celebs that get celebrated as those who pander reformist liberal viewpoints about Islam, or who announce they are fighting against traditional established normative Islam. There are one or two exceptions. So people like Hanif Qureshi will be warmly celebrated, and when it suits him he will give 'Muslim perspectives' in his writing, even though his background and environment he was brought up in, and the lifestyle and views he expresses both personally and in his work are unlike anything that the broad spectrum of Muslims would identify with. One is also reminded of that line in the semi-autobiographical book "They" by Sarfraz Mansoor in which his brother says to him "You're only Muslim when you are paid to write about it". I have never seen 'Muslim representation' in movies that depict what I could call the average conservative (someone with a deeper affinity with Islam) Muslim truthfully. What we get instead is things like Citizen Khan, Lady Parts, Ramy, that Marvel thing to name just a few that instead of representation , pander to those who want to promote values that go against Islam itself. It feels as though what gets the 'green light' are those stories that chime with the non-Muslim producers in the industry, who either want to double-down with their right wing perspective, or want to re-paint Muslimness through a leftist liberal prism. The worse ones I saw were "My Son The Fanatic" (really Hanif, is that the best you came up with after your "visiting the mosques and talking to Muzzlims about their views") and the Reluctant Fundamentalist (Mohsin Hamid - another one who writes caricatures rather than characters). I don't know Riz, but I do note that in his support for 'subversive' movies like Joyland which was championed by very niche and specific sectors of Pakistani liberal society, and was (it is suspected) given recognition internationally only because it was deemed subversive by normative Muslims is another example of what you have to do and what sort of movies you have to make to get international plaudits. The guy who directed Joyland has had his latest production banned in Pakistan. I mention this because it highlights how Muslims feel misrepresented even by people from Muslim background behind the camera. Going back to this discussion, which I enjoyed overall, I wanted to hear about the differences they've discerned between the general Muslim population in UK compared to US. My experience is UK Muslims tend to be more resolute in preserving and adhering to normative Islam, and are prepared to speak out against perceived or real pushes against their boundaries, whereas in the US there is a far stronger force that urges conformity. Maybe partly to do with the fact that in the UK the British culture is one of irreverence towards authority - even the Queen/King are not spared from satire and cynicism.

[@arunsalwan8558]

? In America they rip apart all representatives of authority.Trump is eviscerated everyday as well as Biden .. You may feel that because the uk is smaller land mass wise as well as population so proportionality there is more Muslim and south Asian representation .thats changing here in the states because Indian Americans have made a lot of gains in politics as well as societal

[@michaellloyd-jones6325]

One of my fave conversations so far from Zeteo.

[@wordsandmoments4102]

I love how 2 brown guys that come from the same place in UK but are so connected with their roots, talk like an immigrant and how they both see the both sides of UK and US. This is so beautiful! Well done guys...

[@tanglingheadphones]

Nooo, dying of curiosity to know where Plan B is. Haven't finished watching yet, but amazing interview. Love the casual dynamic between you two, and there were several moments that were downright adorable.

[@maazkalim]

Ahh... The grime rapper?.! Thought of the very same.

[@taniascreations]

Keep them guessing 😅

[@7mkhan9]

wonderful enlightened talk by two intelligent ppl .. thanks for being upfront about the Palestinian issue, We definitely need more of this, great work

[@ighafoor6527]

Great to see you both together

[@zukosameer9988]

Thank you guys - you speak for so many of us - Asian Muslim London born n bred ❤

[@Aj_Porsche]

You need to get Sangita Myska on.

[@AJ-bm2kh]

100%

[@Hamlet2369]

YES

[@convencia1]

As a Wembley person all my life, so proud of you both. Thank you so much for this conversation. So good at hearing Muslims talking about things we want to talk about, in our own space & on our own platform. Which is why I’ve donated to zeteo. One thing though, you keep talking about ‘brown’ people, Muslims are also black, white & all shades. It would be good if you are more inclusive of all Muslims of all ethnicities. Otherwise, love you both! ❤️

[@maazkalim]

Only Mr Ahmed is from Wembley, though. As he revealed in one of his raps.

[@siggydegal7602]

By “brown” people they’re just referring to their Desi/Southeast Asian background. They’re not to exclude other Muslims, they’re just talking about their very specific experience/background. Every Muslim community has their own cultural nuances.

[@AC-vp8hi]

It is nice seeing this side of Mehdi :). Two Muslim brothers who are doing well msA and bringing sense to this crazy world

[@isabelopthof1056]

Both of them are such good guys. Once again, amazing show Mehdi, so interesting and thoughtful. Love Riz Ahmed, too. He's an extremely talented actor and rapper, and a kind, genuine human❤❤❤

[@MS0304-f7m]

This was a very powerful conversation about Muslim identity, representation and success. You both dived deep into the root causes of the issues Muslims and people of colour face and it felt inspiring to listen. Thank you for this!

[@McSliksOnline]

So proud of Riz. He putting Brown people on the Map! Finally I can tell my Mum & Aunties that Performing Arts makes sense & it can go somewhere 🙏

[@jhonshephard921]

this is the first time I have seen Medhi speak Urdu

[@maazkalim]

Or Hindi? Regardless.. Please spell his name right.

[@MrElmedicineman]

Huge fan of both these legends - being of a similar age :)

[@FBUK]

Delightful conversation. I have seen some of Riz's movies, and the acting is excellent.

[@EvonywithRamboo]

This was Epic.......May Allah bless them both. Mehdi pla continue the coverage for Palestinians, you are the true journalist on this subject

[@christrepetti2431]

Amazing podcast…

[@BellaBrook-fs5xd]

God bless you and Zeteo! Courage is contagious. Thank you for not being afraid to speak the truth!!!!!!!!

[@ankh_k]

Love Riz Ahmed since I've seen "Nightcrawler", his perfirmance in that movie was underrated.

[@JasonPhippsProducer]

Fantastic interview, so much wisdom, thanks Mehdi and Riz

[@WanderwithKabul]

Two of the British South Asian greats under one roof. Loved it. Please more of this. Rubber dinghy rapids alll the wayyy...

[@eoinc9511]

Great sit down ❤

[@Ilovemyboj]

Hahah you guys are great! I'm watching on my phone with earbuds but I'm waking my husband by laughing so hard. It's great!

[@paullafferty1411]

Great Podcast, great guest in Riz, well done Medhi

[@heyasasha]

great, thought-provoking conversation

[@alexanderolsson1498]

I bow down to you both! Thank you for all that you do & give to this world.

[@khawlahilweh6793]

Total respect love watching you Mahdi ❤

[@Mia-ge7xf]

a brilliant authentic and wholesome conversation! so human

[@thabza441]

What an amazing conversation… “after paying your dues, just be and do joy”

[@claudiamason.]

This was such a good conversation and hilarious! Thank you both!

[@drjabble]

We NEED MORE RIZ Comedies... The man is one of the greatest actors whom also talks sense and understanding of Geo-Politics... Salute the geezer...

[@RedaSejini]

Great interview. I would work on the background decor and design a bit...😅

[@umzimo]

Please bring Hasan Minhaj!! Love your show👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@FreshMountain_Snow]

Well done Mehdi and thank you

[@hadeel2530]

So comforting to watch this ❤❤❤

[@001sander2]

Loved this ❤

[@EmaryTegan]

have loved him ever since the The Night Of

[@LouieLuciano]

I love the conversation the difference with UK and US being brown. I’m a Christian Palestinian from the US and I always wonder how living in the UK would be. Great convo love you guys!

[@AnsheelKhan]

Big up mehdi and Riz representing MashAllah