Faran Tahir Urges South Asian and Muslim Actors to ‘Own Our Identity’ in Hollywood

Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir, best known for his roles in Iron Man and numerous Hollywood blockbusters, called on South Asian and Muslim actors to proudly assert and celebrate their identities in an interview released May 24, 2025, on the podcast Jins with Jamal Ouazzani. Tahir, reflecting on his decades-long career, discussed the challenges of typecasting and the lack of diverse roles early on, emphasizing the importance of owning one’s background while navigating the global entertainment industry. He offered practical advice for emerging actors, highlighted the value of constructive dialogue with creative teams, and stressed that authenticity and self-respect should guide career choices.

Navigating Early Challenges

When Faran Tahir began his acting journey in Hollywood, opportunities for South Asian Muslim actors were scarce. “There weren’t too many good roles that we could bring our talents to, and there was not enough choice of talent. So there was that issue,” Tahir recalled. Faced with limited choices and the risk of being pigeonholeed, he turned to theater, where he found a space to grow and challenge himself. “Being an actor of color and of a different origin, I figured that if I could handle verse, if I could do Shakespeare, if I could do those things, there was a place for actors like me where I could do challenging stuff and not feel like I’m not really growing,” he said.

Tahir made a list of factors that might lead to his rejection from roles, but he refused to compromise on his identity. “I am and don’t want to change what I believe in. That’s who I am. So what are the things that I can change?” he asked. He focused on improving his craft, training, learning new skills, and proving his versatility. “So, for who we are, we can use certain things assigned to us as our weaknesses, right? I mean, for some people, our color is our weakness, or our faith is our weakness, or our gender is, whatever that is. Or there’s another way to look at it, which is the way I want to look at it, but which is that these are your uniqueness. You know, they’re not our weaknesses, so find the strength in it rather than be dejected by it,” Tahir advised.

Breaking Stereotypes

One of Tahir’s most iconic roles was Raza, the super-villain in Marvel’s Iron Man. He spoke about collaborating with the production team to avoid caricature and ensure the character was not defined by his ethnicity or religion. “I mean, again, I have to give a lot of credit to the production because it was one of Marvel's flagship films. Iron Man started this whole thing. So they were also very open to making it as authentic as possible, which allowed us to really have good dialogue and good conversations back and forth between us,” Tahir said.

He emphasized focusing on the character’s motivations rather than reducing him to a stereotype. “I thought Raza was a mercenary and a soldier of fortune. And that’s where his terrorism or his maniacal side is coming from. Rather than implanting that, putting it deeper into the religious part of it, let’s really look at it. And so we had those conversations, right? And we were able to take away any real allusions or any references to, you know, to Islam or to faith or to people of that side,” Tahir explained. The team also used multiple languages to avoid associating the character with any single nationality or ethnicity, aiming for a more nuanced, worldly portrayal.

Celebrating Diversity in Storytelling

Tahir asserted that actors of diverse backgrounds are uniquely positioned to enrich storytelling in today’s globalized world. “It’s a global market, you know? So, I think these colors that we can bring to stories are not invaluable, for one thing, and I think they also depict and celebrate the diversity that we globally have,” he said. He maintained that while actors must be versatile, they should also bring their own histories and perspectives to their roles. “There’s a history there. There’s a history,” Tahir reflected, underscoring the depth that personal experience can add to a performance.

He encouraged actors to embrace their backgrounds as strengths rather than weaknesses and to see themselves as part of a broader, interconnected industry. “No matter my ethnicity or religion, I could play any character, because we live in a very global world now,” Tahir stated.

A Journey, Not a Pivotal Role

When asked which of his roles was most pivotal in changing perceptions of South Asian Muslims in Hollywood, Tahir rejected the idea of a single transformative performance. “I think it’s a journey. It’s our duty, it’s our pleasure, it’s our obligation to keep on bringing newer angles to the whole thing,” he said. He acknowledged that some roles came to him because of his background, while others were earned through his abilities. “I was blessed to get certain roles because of who I was, and other roles, such as science fiction characters, that I received not because of who I was, but rather what I could do,” Tahir noted.

He stressed the importance of constructive dialogue with directors and producers, even when compromise is necessary. “But I think that is where the key lies, right? So we can engage people in constructive conversations. In doing so, it’s not always guaranteed that you will win this time, but you must still fight the battle. If I engage in a conversation and things don’t go my way, you know, and I have to find some kind of a compromise, okay. But by having that conversation, I’ve put that germ, that idea, that, you know, that concept in the other person’s mind, at least, to think it over,” Tahir explained. He believed each conversation could plant seeds for future change, even if the immediate outcome was not ideal.

Balancing Authenticity and Vision

Tahir spoke candidly about the challenge of balancing authentic representation with the creative vision of directors. He emphasized the need for actors to advocate for themselves without becoming combative. “The first challenge was to have constructive, not combative conversations, a balance he believed was hard to achieve,” he said. He saw this as an ongoing process, where each interaction could help shift perceptions and open new possibilities for diverse actors.

Good Muslims, Bad Muslims

Tahir addressed the sensitive issue of playing villains as a Muslim actor. He explained that he looks for balance in scripts—if there is a “good Muslim” character alongside a “bad Muslim,” he is more comfortable taking on the role. “So if there’s that balance, then okay, there are good Muslims, bad Muslims. We get that. The good Christians, bad Christians. I mean, you know, good humans, bad humans, right?” he said. If the script is one-sided or gratuitous, he is likelier to turn it down. “If the script was too one-sided, then it was gratuitous and had ‘an agenda involved in it,’ adding that not all work was good work,” Tahir stated.

He shared that his rule is to avoid roles that would make him uncomfortable looking at himself in the mirror. “He highlighted that his rule while choosing roles was that if he couldn’t look at his self in the mirror when he woke up, then he shouldn’t be doing that role,” he said.

Making Ends Meet and Staying True

Tahir acknowledged the financial realities of acting and the need to be pragmatic. “He said he made ends meet or paid his bills by keeping his background in theatre alive, doing television and voice work. ‘So there are ways to do that. And that also gives me the ability to pick and choose sometimes. Which, in the beginning, I’ll be totally honest, when you’re starting your career, you don’t have that ability,’” he explained. He encouraged actors to be patient and to build their careers step by step, always staying true to their values.

Advice for Young South Asian and Muslim Actors

Tahir’s advice for aspiring South Asian and Muslim actors was direct and heartfelt. He urged them to avoid roles that would compromise their self-respect. “Giving advice to young South Asian and Muslim actors in Hollywood, Tahir echoed his earlier words and told newer artists to avoid roles that wouldn’t let them look at themselves in the mirror. He clarified, ‘I mean, I’m not putting any value judgment on anybody,’” he said.

He also encouraged them to be visible and to own their identities. “The actor’s second piece of advice was for South Asian and Muslim actors to keep showing their numbers. ‘I mean, we see doctors, cab drivers, storekeepers, and designers, and we see all kinds of people from our part of the world. We are now part of this reality. We need to show our identity and own our identity,” Tahir said.

The State of South Asian and Muslim Representation in Hollywood

The conversation with Tahir comes at a time when Hollywood is grappling with issues of diversity and inclusion. According to the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, South Asian and Muslim actors remain underrepresented in leading roles, and typecasting persists. In 2023, only 1.6% of all speaking roles in Hollywood films went to South Asian actors, and Muslim characters were often relegated to stereotypical or background roles.

Tahir’s experiences reflect the broader challenges faced by actors from marginalized communities. His journey highlights the importance of persistence, self-respect, and constructive dialogue in an industry that is slowly becoming more inclusive but still has a long way to go.

The Power of Authentic Representation

Tahir’s words resonate with other South Asian and Muslim actors who have spoken out about the need for authentic representation. In recent years, actors like Riz Ahmed, Priyanka Chopra, and Kumail Nanjiani have used their platforms to advocate for more diverse storytelling and to challenge stereotypes.

Industry experts have noted that authentic representation not only benefits actors but also enriches the stories told on screen. “Audiences are hungry for stories that reflect the world as it is—complex, diverse, and interconnected,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, in a 2024 report. “When actors like Faran Tahir bring their full selves to their roles, it creates space for others to do the same.”

The Future of South Asian and Muslim Actors in Hollywood

The future for South Asian and Muslim actors in Hollywood is promising but still uncertain. As the industry continues to evolve, actors like Tahir are paving the way for greater inclusion and representation. Their willingness to speak out, to challenge stereotypes, and to own their identities is inspiring a new generation of performers.

Tahir’s message is clear: “We need to show our identity and own our identity.” He believes that by doing so, South Asian and Muslim actors can help transform Hollywood into a more inclusive and authentic space for all.

Owning Identity as a Path to Change

Faran Tahir’s interview powerfully reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing South Asian and Muslim actors in Hollywood. His journey—from early struggles with typecasting to iconic roles in global blockbusters—demonstrates the importance of persistence, authenticity, and constructive dialogue. Tahir’s advice to young actors is both practical and inspiring: own your identity, seek out constructive conversations, and always stay true to yourself.

As Hollywood grapples with issues of diversity and inclusion, voices like Tahir’s are essential in shaping a more inclusive future for the industry. His story reminds us that change is possible, but it requires courage, self-respect, and a commitment to authenticity.