Nabhaan Rizwan got the attention of many following his stellar acting in his debut screen performance on the BBC Informer. Shortly after, his career spiraled into many other movie roles such as 1917, Underground and Last Letter to Your Lover.
Rizwan despite all the success and fame that he accrued from his debut role still maintains other aspects of his life that include a venture into a precious hobby such as rap music. But who really is he?
Here is All We Found Out About Nabhaan Rizwan
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1. He Traces His Descent To Pakistan
Born on November 25 1996 in the UK, Nabhaan Rizwan is one actor that has a History beyond the shores of Europe down to Pakistan. He is a second-generation Pakistani born to Shahnaz and her husband.
The 27 year old grew up in Ilford. His mother first came to the Uk with Mawaan and his sister before she was later joined by the family patriarch, Mr. Rizwan. It was after the father joined them that they had Nabhaan, the youngest child of the Rizwan family.
2. Nabhaan Rizwan Comes From a Family of Actors
Fate seemed to have determined his path as an actor without his consent. Rizwan is surrounded by actors and entertainers. Starting from his mother, Shahnaz to his brother, Mawaan, his place is set as if the family was to shoot a movie.
His mother is a famous Bollywood actress who became more popular following the completion of a five-year stint on the soap Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. His brother gives credence to his creativity via his Youtube handle. Also, Mawaan is an actor, writer, and stand-up comic
3. Rizwan Never Set Out To Be An Actor
Despite the influence he got from his family members, the decision to become an actor was not a childhood dream of his. Accordingly, the actor wanted to be a cricket player.
In fact, at some point, it annoyed him to no ends each time his brother indulged the whole family in acting in his Youtube videos. In fact, his mother got to audition having showcased her acting in one of such videos yet, Rizwan had other things on his mind.
4. Nabhaan Rizwan Landed His Major Role Without Prior Experience
Rizwan was not trained in any of the posh acting schools yet his character, Raza Shar, a young Pakistani immigrant who goes undercover in the BBC’s Informer has become synonymous with the actor. His debut as the central character of the show apart from being his first also adds to the allure of the drama.
Career-wise, it also set the trail for his other acting roles despite having no TV experience before. His luck getting the part started after many auditions. Unlike his brother, Mawaan who featured in BBC Three, Nabhaan’s role in Informer was his pivotal point.
Interestingly, Nabhaan has acted on stage in plays like Little revolution, and The Underground.
He has featured in other fascinating roles in:
5. Nabhaan Rizwan is Also A Musician
The award-winning actor is making his mark on both the big screen and the small screen. Having shown his stellar acting performance, he has more to offer from his bag of gifts. He launched a music career under an alias known as El Huxley.
He released an EP titled Fantastic Planet in July 2011.
6. The Leading Character of BBC’s Informer Is An Activist
His art obviously doesn’t end on the screen alone as he finds expression in attending protests. He attends a lot of protests to ‘hold society up to standard’. Apparently, Rizwan was not only attracted to the big cities for his career alone but also for the protests that were also held.
Perhaps one of his fondest protests is the Occupy Showdown 2011 which he eagerly attended and performed. It was organized by Extinction Rebellion(XR). He read out the lyrics of his song Fantastic Planet to a crowd of protesters against climate change caused by burning fossil fuels.
7. His Roles Have Earned Recognition And Award
For someone who started acting in big roles without prior knowledge, his presentation of roles is already showcasing him.
He won the Royal Television breakthrough award for his role in the Informer.
8. The Thriving Actor Has Big Dreams Of Studying Fashion
Even though he has shown an aversion to academics from an early age, Rizwan has a dream that will lead him on the fashion path. He dreams of one-day studying fashion design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins.
It is quite a dream as CSM is regarded as one of the world’s toughest fashion schools to enroll in.
If his big dream comes true, it is surely going to tip him in the league of other CSM famous alumni such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Ricardo Tisci, and John Galliano among many others. Reportedly, former students of the prestigious school have made fashion statements at fashion weeks, Film Festivals, and on other red carpets.
9. He No Longer Practises The Religion He Was Born Into
The Ilford-grown native was born into a Muslim home and raised in the faith, yet he is allegedly said to have dropped the faith. His reason is not so clear, yet he still lives by some of the rules he grew up with. He strictly follows only the eating of ‘halal’ meat, a practice he grew up with.
His brother Mawaan Rizwan reportedly came out as gay at the age of 24, something that is considered illegal in Islam. While their parents wanted him to keep it secret, Mawaan has talked about the issue in his How Gay is Pakistan? documentary.
Moreso, Rizwan wants to only project roles that are far from negative stereotyping of Muslims.
10. The UK-Born Actor Doesn’t Know How To Drive
With a teaming collection of cars by celebrities of different sizes and models, it is shocking to know that Rizwan doesn’t drive. The actor and rising musician rely on his bicycle for transportation.
While at the time of this writing, he has not indicated any interest in learning how to drive, he may have a change of heart to learn how.
