British Pakistani Actor Riz Ahmed Becomes First Muslim To Receive Oscar Nomination In Best Actor Category!

Earlier actor Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, in the Best Supporting Actor category for Moonlight in 2017 and for Green Book in 2019.

Riz Ahmed Is First Muslim To Receive Oscar Nomination

The Oscar nominations were announced by Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and her husband, actor-singer Nick Jonas, on Monday evening (India time). And British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed becmae the first Muslim to be nominated in the Best Actor category for the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards.

Riz was honored for his performance in “Sound of Metal,” in which he plays a drummer and recovering addict who loses his hearing. In the movie, Ahmed stars as Ruben, a rock-and-roll drummer and recovering addict who loses his hearing. 

The 38-year-old actor later in an email statement thanked “mentors in the drumming, addiction recovery, and D/deaf communities” for helping to guide his performance. The movie, he said, is “about how a health crisis can cut you off from your life and loved ones, and force you to grow in unexpected ways.”

“In a challenging year for so many, I hope this story can inspire us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others,” he added.

Ahmed previously too had made history in 2017 as the first Muslim man to win the prestigious Emmy Award for his performance in HBO’s “The Night Of.”

Riz Ahmed’s movie ‘Sound of Metal’ received a total of six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Paul Raci.

Besides, Oscars, the actor also received nominations for the Golden Globe, SAG Award, Spirit Award and BAFTA in the lead actor category.

The Oscars will be held on April 25 (early hours of April 26 in India). The show will blend virtual and live action presentation, and the host is yet to be officially announced.