Riz Ahmed says the only way through shame is laughter
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In this episode of Q, host Tom Power sits down with actor, rapper, and creator Riz Ahmed to discuss his new series Bait, a deeply personal and genre-blending exploration of identity, fame, and the tension between public performance and private vulnerability. Ahmed reveals that the show, while fictional, draws heavily from his own life—moments like a panic attack after being booed at a Wu-Tang Clan concert, being mistaken for a shoplifter due to his disheveled appearance, and even real-life overtures from MI5. He frames the series as a way to confront the 'shame' that grows from the gap between who we are and who we're expected to be. The conversation also delves into his bold modern adaptation of Hamlet, set in a British South Asian household and featuring a pivotal monologue in Hindi to evoke ancestral presence and timelessness. Ahmed reflects on the toxic allure of fame, especially in the age of social media, arguing that true fulfillment comes not from seeking attention, but from moments of self-forgetfulness—flow states where one transcends the self. Ultimately, he sees art as a form of healing and honesty, with laughter as the only way through shame.
The gap between your public and private self is often fueled by shame—and the only way through it is through honesty and humor.
Fame is not an end goal; it's a byproduct of creating meaningful work and sharing vulnerability.
Moments of true connection and flow—like holding your child or performing—occur when you forget yourself, not when you perform for others.
Cultural specificity in storytelling (like Bollywood melodrama or South Asian family dynamics) can make universal themes feel deeply real.
Art can be a radical act of self-reclamation, especially when it embraces messiness and imperfection.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Bait and Riz Ahmed's Dual Identity
Host Jill Deacon introduces Riz Ahmed and his new series Bait, highlighting his background as an Oscar-winning actor, rapper (Riz MC), and cultural hybrid—shaping his identity between Shakespearean studies and underground rap battles in London.
The James Bond Fantasy and the Weight of Aspiration
“The only way through shame is laughter.”
Real-Life Moments in Bait: From Panic Attacks to MI5 Offers
“I was doing with GQ magazine and I did it in a parked car. I was late to pick up my kid from nursery. The traffic warden shows up and says, you're going to move your double parked. I try and continue the interview while maneuvering my car. I hit another car.”
Cultural Identity and the Spy Thriller Aesthetic
“Being brown in the West is like being stuck in a spy thriller.”
Hamlet Reimagined: A Modern South Asian Tragedy
Ahmed discusses his adaptation of Hamlet set in a British South Asian family, where the Ghost speaks in Hindi to evoke ancestral memory. The story reflects themes of duty, honor, and familial obligation rooted in immigrant and South Asian traditions.
“The only way through shame is laughter.”
“Being brown in the West is like being stuck in a spy thriller.”
“I was doing with GQ magazine and I did it in a parked car. I was late to pick up my kid from nursery. The traffic warden shows up and says, you're going to move your double parked. I try and continue the interview while maneuvering my car. I hit another car.”
Host
Guest
Riz Ahmed
person
Bait
other
Tom Power
person
James Bond
other
Hamlet
other
Wu-Tang Clan
other
Jill Deacon
person
MI5
other
Rumi
person
Lena Dunham
person
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