Things used to come easy to Aziz Ansari – or at least that’s how he made it look. In the first decade of his career, he moved quickly: from breakout stand-up to sketch comedy, from sitcom favourite to one of the defining cultural voices of the 2010s.
Then a story published during the #MeToo era stalled that ascent, and the pace that once defined him disappeared almost overnight.
Years later, Ansari isn’t looking for the easy version of anything. He has chosen the hardest path he could have – directing films when almost no one is making theatrical comedies any more.
“It’s getting harder and harder to get films made in general,” Ansari tells The National. “It’s a long road every time. But that’s what I love about it – it’s so challenging.”
His feature Good Fortune, which he wrote, directed and starred in alongside Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, marked a shift he had been working towards for years. Ansari sees it not as a break from his past, but as the natural extension of the craft he developed on his Emmy Award-winning Netflix series.
“When I was younger, I did Master of None, and that was kind of my training to be a director and to make a film,” he says. “I learnt so much doing that show, and I was excited to take that and apply it to trying to make a feature film.”
Spending long stretches in Los Angeles shaped the tone and ideas behind Good Fortune, but Ansari’s goal was broader than the setting. He wanted to make an original, character-driven comedy that could still exist on the big screen, even as the space for such films shrinks.
“The only two big theatrical comedies this year were our movie and Naked Gun,” he says.
“I was really just trying to make the movie be something that played in the theatre in a way that people could enjoy it, the way they used to enjoy movies back in the day.”
Ansari built his early creative life surrounded by fellow comedians, but as he has moved deeper into filmmaking, he has found support within a different community.
“When I had an early cut of Good Fortune, I showed it to Steven Soderbergh,” he says. The two both live in London. “He’s very famous for being very insightful watching early cuts, and he was kind enough to do that.” Spike Jonze also offered feedback, attending an early preview screening. Alan Yang – his long-time collaborator on Master of None – produced the film and remained a close creative partner.
“I think directors, we all have this shared experience,” Ansari says. “You know how tough it is, and anyone I’ve ever reached out to has only been very kind and wanted to help.”
He is already looking beyond Good Fortune. Ansari has written two new scripts and is deciding which one to make first.
“One thing is kind of more grounded and kind of Master of None vibe,” he says. “Another thing is a little bit like a sci-fi idea.” He isn’t describing them in detail yet – the projects are still taking shape – but the intention is clear.
“I hope I’ve learnt from the experience of doing Good Fortune and gotten better at what I’m doing. I hope I get to make them.”
Ansari still performs stand-up, but most of his creative energy now goes into writing and shaping the films he hopes will follow. He may not want to be the same man he once was, but he does want to regain his momentum – and he wants to earn it.
The next chapter will come down to whether he can get those films made. For now, he’s focused on the work in front of him, scene by scene, script by script, building towards whatever comes next.
Good Fortune is available now on digital platforms
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
SCHEDULE FOR SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - from 4pm (UAE time)
Angelique Kerber (1) v Irina Falconi
Martin Klizan v Novak Djokovic (2)
Alexandr Dolgopolov v Roger Federer (3)
Court One - from 4pm
Milos Raonic (6) v Jan-Lennard Struff
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Evgeniya Rodina
Dominic Thiem (8) v Vasek Pospisil
Court Two - from 2.30pm
Juan Martin Del Potro (29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Jelena Jankovic
Jeremy Chardy v Tomas Berdych (11)
Ons Jabeur v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
