Riz Ahmed takes on his inner critic
Summary
Riz Ahmed discusses his Emmy-nominated role in the Prime Video series *Bait*, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and the gap between public persona and private vulnerability. He also reflects on his modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s *Hamlet*, drawing parallels between the play’s rhythm and his background in rap music. Additionally, Ahmed shares insights into his Oscar-winning short film *The Long Goodbye* and his early career in London’s pirate radio scene.
Topics discussed
Planet Money Summer School intro and Fresh Air welcome
Clip from Bait: Shah's failed James Bond audition
Riz Ahmed's Oscar win and inner critic in Bait
Life as a performance and the James Bond symbol
Origin of Bait: messy reality vs. curated image
Genre-bending episodes and tonal whiplash
Meaning of 'Bait': home, ambition, and British slang
Working with Sean Connery and show credits
Riz Ahmed's background and Hamlet inspiration
Modernizing Hamlet: grief, resistance, and music
Fatherhood, exhaustion, and Shakespeare as music
London upbringing, pirate radio, and rap culture
Post 9/11 Blues and viral censorship
The Long Goodbye album and South Asian poetic tradition
Show credits and production team
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