The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Riz Ahmed: Dealing with grief, Tom Cruise & trying stand-up comedy

2026-11-02

Is Riz Ahmed about to become a stand-up?

This week, Romesh is joined by Oscar and Emmy-winning actor, rapper and writer Riz Ahmed. Romesh surprises him with a very special gift, and the two get into what it takes to create something as personal as Bait, the series Riz has spent a decade getting made.

They talk about code-switching, finding the space to be yourself, and why it’s so hard to enjoy success when you’re in the middle of it. Riz also opens up about his dad, and what Tom Cruise had to say about his mum at the royal premiere of Digger.

Plus, there’s a lot of hip hop talk (Biggie or Tupac?), a game of Misquoted, and a closing story that’s far darker than anyone expected.

A Ranga Bee Production.



Chapters:

00:00 Intro02:02 Why Riz changed his name02:34 A gift for Riz05:38 Why taste in stand-up beats ability11:45 Riz on SNL14:17 Riz's attempt at stand-up24:40 Why Riz hates being boxed in26:13 Bait and landing James Bond31:55 Putting your own life on screen38:09 A question from Shanthi39:11 Riz's mum, Tom Cruise and the royal premiere48:50 Losing his dad50:51 What Romesh's dad said after a gig54:59 Biggie or Tupac?1:04:19 Misquoted1:08:24 Riz's dark closing story1:10:59 Outro
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No. of episodes

116

Latest episode

2026-11-02

Where can you listen?

The world’s biggest stars join Romesh for candid conversations and loads of laughs. Every Monday, Romesh Ranganathan meets actors, musicians, comedians and icons who share stories you won’t hear anywhere else, combining humour, heart and genuine insight. Expect backstage anecdotes, untold tales from the spotlight, and extraordinary insight into what makes them tick. On Thursdays, Rom’s mum Shanthi joins the show to share family stories, answer audience questions, and offer her no-nonsense take on life, proving that the funniest and most relatable conversations often happen around the kitchen table. Leave a voice note for Romesh and Shanthi by messaging +447731623355, @theromeshshow on Instagram, or emailing [email protected]. A Ranga Bee Production.