Riz Ahmed Becomes First Muslim Nominated In The Oscars Best Actor Category

Riz Ahmed has become the first Muslim to be nominated for Oscars in the Best Actor in a Leading Role for film Sound of Metal.

The 38-year-old British Pakistani actor plays the character of Ruben“Sound of Metal”, a rock-and-roll drummer and recovering addict whose life is sent into a tailspin when he loses his hearing.

For the same role, Riz Ahmed has been previously nominated for the Golden Globe, SAG Award, Spirit Award, and BAFTA for lead actor.

“If there’s a way in which people can find themselves at this moment, and can feel inspired and connected on a deeper level, I’m all for it,” says Ahmed reflecting on his nomination.

“Whether they see me as the first British Pakistani or the first guy from Wembley, you know, there are so many ways to view it. But as long as it feels like an opportunity for more people than ever before to really connect and feel included at this moment, that’s a blessing,” he added.

Sound of Metal, directed by Darius Marder has received six nominations today, including one for the supporting co-star Paul Raci.

“It’s why we do it, to stretch our hearts and stretch our minds, and in the process stretch culture,” he added.

“We should stretch culture so that it’s big enough and wide enough and expansive enough so that there’s space for all of us to find ourselves in it, to feel that we belong and that we’re included, and that we matter. These changes aren’t just something that’s good politically or socially. It’s something which allows stories and storytelling to get back to its original intention, which is to embrace all of us.”

“It feels like a privilege to be part of this team,” he says. “It was a special project where everyone got together, there were no egos, and it was all about us pulling toward this larger vision. We made the film unsure whether anyone would see it, really, so for us to come out with six nominations is just the most beautiful feeling. For Darius, who spent 13 years trying to get this film made; for Paul Raci, who spent 35 years sitting on this tremendous talent and perhaps not being given the platform to really express it; and for the entire team. I know it’s a cliche but it was truly a labor of love.”

Riz Ahmed’s acting credits include films such as “Rogue One,” “Venom,” “The Sisters Brothers,” “Nightcrawler,” “Four Lions” and “Mogul Mowgli,” which he also co-wrote.

He started his career as a rapper and musician and in 2020 released the album “The Long Goodbye.”