As a Pakistani-Muslim, Riz Ahmed and Guz Khan’s Bait resonates with me deeply.
Bait centers around London-based actor Shah Latif and his life amidst the audition of a lifetime – the role of James Bond. The show features the struggles and sacrifices of a Pakistani-Muslim individual and the nuances and balancing act of a demanding lifestyle.
For me, Bait’s constant push-and-pull between what the characters want and what they should do stands out. It handles heartbreaking situations and humor with a respectful balance. And the flow of the show, the transitions between past and present, and the depth with which these characters are portrayed are like none I’ve seen.
MORE: Did you know Riz Ahmed was in the animated film Nimona? Read our review here.
1. It’s Authentic Representation.
For many, the media representation of their culture tends to be limited to a single token group whose characters and storylines are ambiguous enough to cover everyone. This is something I’ve seen a lot of in South-Asian representation, because the media assumes that the cultural aspects are the same across the various ethnicities. The only distinction I ever see regarding South-Asian ethnicities in Western media is when they want to point out a stereotype.
Bait, however, focuses on a true, nuanced Pakistani experience, on representing culture in a way that is authentic to the lived experiences of Pakistani-Muslims everywhere. There are moments in the show that I cannot relate to, not because they don’t highlight the Pakistani-Muslim experience, but because my Pakistani-Muslim experience differs. And that’s why it’s a good show. Because it is not afraid to focus on the nuances of different characters’ cultural and religious experiences, the extent to which they participate in each, and the facets that are still in progress.
However, it prioritizes a cultural experience that is common for all of us – family vs. world vs. self. We see Shah go through many different crises, involving his family, his image and the subsequent hate crimes/speech he is subjected to, and his internal struggle to fulfill all aspects of the life expected of him. Riz Ahmed delivers a masterclass performance and truly embodies the tug-of-war that Pakistani-Muslims face in their lives.
2. It’s Hilarious.
Bait isn’t just funny, it’s hilarious, mostly because it’s extremely chaotic. From Eid beef to typical Pakistani wittiness, Bait blends comedy with authenticity in a balanced, refreshing way. We have uncles fighting over who leads prayer, siblings taking jabs at each other, Aunties secretly beefing – knowing that they can’t stand each other – but still being nice to each other, and some masterclass one-liners.
There are also a few dream sequences so outrageous and hilarious that you start to wonder if the show has lost the plot. While all of these outrageous scenes and dialogues are delivered hilariously, there is a heaviness and deeper meaning that underlie many of the liberties taken. The comedy balances the struggles these characters face, helping you understand them.
But again, this goes back to that authentic representation: while the comedy is tailored for Pakistani-Muslims, it is also funny in a way that people from all walks of life can understand. Meaning, the excuse of “not understanding” won’t get you out of watching. And trust me, you won’t want to miss these laughs.
3. It’s Awkward.
Bait has romance, too! Although, warning, it is uncomfortable to watch Shah’s interactions with his ex-girlfriend. 90% of the time, Shah’s interactions with his ex make me want to claw out my eyes. There is a reason the characters broke up: Shah has some serious boundary issues.
While it’s uncomfortable in most aspects, there are moments that are genuinely sweet, where Shah seems to be a different person. Why his ex would suffer whiplash going from Shah’s boundary-less moments to his sweeter side, I don’t know. But it’s clear they care about each other. In the end, the question remains whether their paths might cross again, but for now, I think a break may be for the best.
It’s not just Shah and his ex who are uncomfortable; most of the potential relationships in this show are awkward (and semi-wholesome). Relationships a bit of an awkward subject in Pakistani culture. So to watch some characters fight for it whilst also being severely uncomfortable at the thought of it is actually right on. Shah’s younger cousin seems to portray this tug-of-war throughout the series, but she stands firm in her independence.
4. It’s Complicated.
Bait doesn’t have you cheering for the main character for every second of the show. It has you questioning the main character’s choices, finding an unlikely favourite, and generally being concerned. Ambition and insensitivity are all featured in Bait. And no, not all of these things happen to the main character. Sometimes the main character makes mistakes too.
When the stress of the role and the public image get to Shah, it shows. In his ideal world, he gets the role of Bond, making history and eventually a different image for Pakistani-Muslims. But for many, it seems that he is sacrificing his identity, family, and culture to get to the top, ultimately leaving him with none of the personality that would make his representation as Bond so important.
There are moments when, before Shah even does something dumb, I’m yelling at my screen for him not to. Shah reaches a breaking point, and there are some heavy topics that come to light, such as mental health struggles that Shah’s aunt went through and whether he is headed down a similar path. There is more to unpack, and his character has amends to make, but hopefully we will see that in Season 2.
5. It has Guz Khan.
While many of the reasons I’ve outlined put Riz Ahmed and his character at the centre (because his performance is phenomenal), this show wouldn’t be what it is without Guz Khan. As someone whose seen Man Like Mobeen (another comedic masterpiece that handles tough topics), I know that Guz Khan has range. Whether it’s comedic or emotional, Guz delivers in a way that always feels authentic to his character.
He has always found a way to beautifully intertwine culture into his comedy, whether through language switching that would make an auntie proud or out-of-pocket references. Without him, this show wouldn’t be nearly as funny and meaningful as it is. His character is the epitome of sacrifice and complexity, someone who doesn’t always say what you want to hear but says what you need to hear.
Guz Khan has always been a champion for Pakistani-Muslims, and he makes sure his work reflects that. Any production he is part of has always had this raw, earnest representation he has worked overtime to ensure, and he makes sure that every character is represented in that work. He’s also just a comedic genius and a provider of good vibes. Needless to say, he doesn’t miss.
Conclusion
Whether you are a Pakistani-Muslim or not, Bait is the new show that deserves all the awards. It deserves to be seen by those who are part of the culture and those who are not, because it tells a story that resonates with many people around the world. It has messages that need to be spoken aloud and heard globally.
It’s not a show with cookie-cutter, perfect endings. It’s messy and chaotic, and perfectly real. It’s a show that is a breath of fresh air, and sometimes difficult to watch, which makes it all the more bingeable. Mainly, it’s a work of authenticity that makes many Pakistani-Muslims, and the various lifestyles of said Pakistanis and Muslims, feel seen and celebrated.
Check out the trailer HERE:
The first season of Bait is streaming now on Prime Video.
