While many actors feel the need to do anything to land a role in a movie or TV show, Aziz Ansari says there is one line that he will not cross.
Aziz Ansari once turned down a role in 2007’s Transformers because he refused to do an Indian accent during an audition. His friend Ravi Pati would later land the role but, Ansari says that Hollywood has a major problem.
“Should I do an accent? Should I not do the accent? That’s a thing that a lot of minority actors grapple with,” Aziz Ansari said during an EW Fest Q&A for his new Netflix series, “Master of None.”
“It was a role for like a call-center guy who has an accent. And I was like, ‘No, I’m not doing it.’ And then Ravi was like, ‘I’ll do it.’ And Ravi did it and made some decent money. And I don’t have anything against someone who does the accent. I understand. You got to work, and some people don’t think it’s a problem.”
The 32-year-old comedian, who created his Netflix show because he wasn’t being cast in any other roles, said he and his costar frequently debated about doing accents on-screen. They also deal with the issue on their new TV show with scenes illustrating how Hollywood often portrays Indian men and women in TV shows and movies.
Racial diversity on TV and movies is a major issue and hot topic in Hollywood. Especially following Deadline’s article about white actors losing out on roles due to color blind casting. Or, the recent #BoycottStarWars after it was revealed the leading actor in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was John Boyega, a Black actor.
Recent Aziz Ansari news:
-
Aziz Ansari New Netflix TV Series Open Casting Call
-
Aziz Ansari’s Netflix Series is Now Hiring Stand-ins
-
HBO Says ‘Project Greenlight’s Racist Episode Title Was a Mistake
-
#BoyCottStarWarsVII – Hundreds Call New ‘Star Wars’ Movie “Racist”, “Ant-White”
What do you think of Aziz Ansari’s comments? Do you think minority actors are pressured into portraying stereotypes? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
