Aziz Ansari’s tentative comeback with the ‘nicest guy in Hollywood’: Controversy plagued star casts Keanu Reeves as an angel in his new film – but will Good Fortune come his way after sexual assault claims and that ill-advised comedy show in Saudi Arabia?

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People outside New York’s Lincoln Center were worried and upset on Monday evening.

Despite the usual hustle and bustle of Manhattan’s Upper West Side – the constant traffic and crowds – a group of excited fans had assembled, all hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe even meet a legendary actor, someone considered among the best of all time.

Keanu Reeves truly has a unique ability to draw people in. From his early role as a time-traveling teen in *Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure* to his current work, like playing a bearded, older hero in *Good Fortune*, he’s captivated audiences for over four decades.

It’s not surprising, considering he’s known as one of the kindest people in Hollywood. He’s a remarkably humble actor, especially given his incredible fame.

Keanu Reeves, with his girlfriend Alexandra Grant by his side, was friendly and charming at a special showing of his latest movie at the Lincoln Center. The film, a funny and fantastical story, was written, directed, and starred in by Aziz Ansari.

Despite directing his first film, *Good Fortune*, which is about to be released, Ansari was noticeably missing from the red carpet event, where guests arrived, had their pictures taken, and entered the venue.

While the film’s star is well-regarded, the director – a comedian and former actor on the American show *Parks and Recreation* – has a more complicated reputation. This is due to serious accusations of sexual assault that nearly ended his career, and his efforts to rebuild it afterward.

It’s understandable why Ansari would hope some of Reeves’ popularity transfers to him as they promote their movie, especially since Ansari is trying to move past a recent controversy involving a comedy performance in Saudi Arabia.

The comedian performed at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which began on September 9th. The festival took place in the capital city of a country known for its poor human rights record.

He wasn’t the only famous comedian there. Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, and Louis C.K. came from the US, and Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall represented Great Britain, all performing in Saudi Arabia.

However, the event has faced criticism from human rights organizations, who claim the Saudi government is using it to improve its public image despite concerns about its human rights record.

Meanwhile, Ansari’s recent trip to the Middle East has created some negative publicity for him. He tried to explain his travel during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, but it didn’t go over well.

Kimmel pointed out that it’s a very harsh government, and they’ve committed many terrible acts.

Ansari, raised in a Muslim family, explained he carefully considered whether to perform at the festival. He ultimately felt it was a good opportunity to encourage open-mindedness and conversation.

He explained that he felt he had to decide between withdrawing from society or actively participating in it. Given his identity – his appearance and Muslim faith – he chose to engage and be involved.

While publicizing his special, Good Fortune, Ansari revealed he intended to give some of his earnings from performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival to groups like Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders.

Human Rights Watch stated on Thursday that it will not accept a donation from the comedian, or from any other performer who donated a portion of their earnings from the festival, according to Variety.

Although we can’t approve of their current stance, it’s still possible for these comedians to speak out and ask for the freedom of Saudi activists who have been detained,” said Joey Shea, a Human Rights Watch researcher specializing in Saudi Arabia.

Human Rights Watch didn’t ask comedians to stop performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Instead, they requested that performers use their platform to advocate for the release of Saudi activists who have been unfairly imprisoned, as a way to support free speech.

Human Rights Watch researcher Shea stated in September that comedians accepting large payments from Saudi Arabia should not avoid discussing sensitive issues like human rights and freedom of speech within the country.

She also stated that all performers in Riyadh should use their platform to advocate for the freedom of Saudi activists who are currently being held.

Arvind Ganesan, who leads economic justice and rights at Human Rights Watch, explained in a statement to Variety that the organization is committed to maintaining its independence and impartiality. Because of this, they won’t accept funding directly from governments or indirectly through donations from performers at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, since those performers’ fees originate from the Saudi Arabian government.

He added that Human Rights Watch is also ‘very careful’ about the private funding that it accepts.

Ganesan explained they’ve voiced concerns about comedians, like Mr. Ansari, performing in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s human rights issues.

This is a difficult situation for Ansari, especially since he likely wanted to move past the 2017 accusations of sexual assault that put his career at risk. Those allegations were made by a photographer.

A woman in Brooklyn told the website Babe, without revealing her name, that she had a distressing and painful experience after going to Aziz Ansari’s apartment in Manhattan the previous year.

Let me tell you, as someone who talks about healthy relationships all the time, this is deeply concerning. From what I understand, this woman clearly communicated – both with her words and body language – that she wasn’t interested, but he just kept pushing her for sexual activity throughout the night. It’s a really upsetting situation, and a stark reminder that consent is absolutely essential and must be respected at all times.

She explained that they first met at an Emmy Awards after-party in Los Angeles on September 17, 2016. She remembered noticing they both had the same type of film camera with them.

I got to my feet, feeling a little tipsy and surprisingly confident. I was wearing a gown, and I walked over to Aziz to ask him what camera he’d been using, as I remembered.

They swapped numbers at the party, and after getting back to New York, they arranged a date.

She stated that on September 25, 2016, she visited Ansari’s stylish apartment in TriBeCa, where they shared white wine and conversation.

‘I didn’t get to choose and I prefer red, but it was white wine,’ she recalled.

Ansari walked her a few blocks to Grand Banks, an oyster bar located on a historic schooner docked on the Hudson River, according to her account. She says the dinner itself happened, but Ansari appeared eager to leave and go somewhere else.

She explained that as soon as the waiter approached, her companion immediately requested the bill, saying something like, ‘Let’s leave.’ He did this before she had even finished her wine. She described it as a quick exit – he paid and they left right away.

Back at his apartment on Franklin Street, she told investigators they kissed, but she turned down Ansari when he suggested they have sex and went to get a condom.

She claims he performed oral sex on her and then asked her to reciprocate, which she did.

The woman alleges the man forced his fingers down her throat and repeatedly moved her hand towards his genitals.

She stated that he likely touched her inappropriately with his genitals five to seven times. She said she moved her hand away, but he continued to do it.

For half an hour, I kept trying to get away from him, but he would follow me and repeatedly put his fingers down my throat. It felt like a cruel and frustrating cycle, almost like he was playing a game.

She said she couldn’t say whether Ansari was just clueless or actively ignoring her signals.

She admitted she likely seemed uninterested, but felt her signals weren’t picked up on, or were simply disregarded.

She alleges that Ansari repeatedly asked her ‘Where do you want me to f**k you?’

According to the woman, after she stood to leave, Ansari offered to call her a car and told her to give the driver the name ‘Essence’.

She said she cried all the way home and felt deeply violated by what had happened, explaining that the final hour felt completely beyond her control.

Surprisingly, Ansari seemed humbled but mostly recovered when he performed a show the following year at the Village Underground in New York City.

He explained that he felt deeply hurt, embarrassed, and ashamed, and was most upset that the other person felt that way towards him.

Looking back after a year, I hope this experience helped me grow. It really made me reflect, and I believe it’s made me a better person.

If this has encouraged me and others to be more considerate, mindful, and willing to prioritize someone else’s comfort, then that’s a positive outcome.

‘I think it also just gave me perspective on my life. There was a moment where I was scared that I’d never be able to do this again,’ he said.

Aziz Ansari shared that he used to end every stand-up show by saying ‘Thanks so much!’ but he admitted it felt automatic and insincere – it was just something he was expected to do.

He continued, emphasizing how much this meant to him. “You really went all out tonight – you changed your plans, braved the cold, waited in line, and even put your phone away. It means a lot.”

He explained that everything that happened – all the effort and trouble – was just so he could speak with me for a little over an hour, and he said it meant a great deal to him. He finished by saying thank you.

Launching a new project is always risky, like building a bridge. Now that Good Fortune is almost here and Ansari is starting a directing career, we’ll have to wait and see if everything holds up.

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2025-10-18 12:27