FannBoy Friday with Shahjehan Khan

Adam Ashraf Elsayigh, an Egyptian-American playwright and theater-maker known for his works that explore intersections of queerness, immigration, and colonialism, discusses his current projects and personal influences. Adam recounts growing up in Dubai and moving to the United States in his early 20s. This conversation also delves into ideas around representation, where Adam argues that progress i...

Amin El Gamal, the first openly queer Muslim actor to play a leading role on a TV show, discusses his early life as a child of Egyptian immigrants, his acting roles in various productions, and the exploration of his queer and Muslim identities. Amin discusses his transition into writing and producing, exploring gender and neurodivergence in his recent short film, 'Unmasking.' He also speaks candid...

Rehana Lew Mirza, a playwright, filmmaker, and founder of Desipina, discusses her career, including her work on a musical titled "Bhangra Nation." She discusses the empowerment she felt in her career, especially through founding Desipina with her sister and taking control of producing her own work. The interview also delves into the challenges of representation in the arts, both in theater and fil...

Johana Bhuiyan, a senior tech reporter and editor at The Guardian, discusses her coverage of surveillance practices targeting marginalized groups, with a focus on immigration surveillance. She delves into her investigation of a former cattle monitoring company working with ICE to surveil migrants using ankle monitors, facial recognition apps, and smartwatches. Johana highlights the lack of transpa...

Arti Ishak, a biracial, non-binary Muslim American, discusses their recent directing projects and experiences in the entertainment industry. Arti discusses their journey, emphasizing the challenges of navigating representation and identity in the arts. Arti shares insights into their creative process, the impact of the pandemic on their perspective, and the importance of striving for diverse and a...

Canadian-born director, playwright, and screenwriter Kareem Fahmy discusses opening multiple theater productions across different parts of the country. He also emphasizes his journey of feeling empowered as a storyteller and how he navigates his dual identity in the theater and entertainment world. Kareem discusses his perspective on theater versus other creative media, as well as the challenges a...

Rafay Rashid discusses the release of his debut album, "Kitchen Weapons," and an upcoming tour with Deer Tick. Rafay explains how "Kitchen Weapons" reflects his personal identity formation as a first-generation Pakistani in the US, highlighting the vulnerability and insecurities of his background in contrast to his previous work. He also shares the challenges and four-year journey of bringing the...

Journalist and documentary producer Iliana Hagenah discusses her work and passions. She mentions a recent piece she worked on concerning the royal family's connections to slavery, highlighting her role as a journalist. Iliana shares her experiences covering global stories and her interest in decolonialism, the exploitation of resources, and forced labor. She also talks about her unique project, wr...

Allana Akhtar, a reporter for The Juggernaut, discusses her focus on topics related to longevity and aging. She explores the increasing interest in anti-aging startups and technology, particularly in South Asian communities, and how research on extending health spans has become a significant area of interest. She also touches on her early experiences in journalism, how the industry has evolved, th...

Sabrina Siddiqui, a White House reporter at the Wall Street Journal, discusses her coverage of major stories, including President Biden's potential rematch with former President Trump in the next election and Biden's trip to Ukraine. Siddiqui also touches on her coverage of AI technology's impact on society, specifically in schools, and highlights her experiences as a journalist, including the adr...

Abbas Rattani, the founding director of MIPSTERZ, discusses the evolution of the arts and culture collective focused on Muslim creative expression. Abbas highlights the community-focused initiatives of MIPSTERZ, including the Good Fun Muslim Friends Show, a monthly variety show that fosters connections among members. He reflects on the organization's journey, from receiving grants and exhibiting a...

Aisha Jemila Daniels discusses her musical journey which started at a young age, with a strong foundation in piano and a deep love for jazz. She temporarily shifted her focus to visual arts during high school and throughout her master's degree. A pivotal moment came when she decided to leave her job at the United Nations and pursue music seriously, leading to her debut as a jazz singer in Ethiopia...

Mariam Hydara, a junior at Boston University majoring in journalism and the social media manager of Black Muslim TV (BMTV), discusses the mission and significance of BMTV. Founded as a platform in June 2020 by CEO Latifah, BMTV aims to provide representation and support for Black Muslims through three core pillars: art, education, and programming. Mariam shares how BMTV addresses the need for spac...

Hanifa Abdul Hameed is a designer and illustrator renowned for her work on projects such as Disney's Ms. Marvel and worn by celebrities like Padma Lakshmi and Mindy Kaling. Hanifa shares her artistic journey, rooted in a childhood fascination with fashion and culture, and discusses her foray into digital illustration during the pandemic. She emphasizes her commitment to addressing pressing societa...

Journalist Issam Ahmed discusses the significant impact of climate change on extreme weather events, highlighting ongoing climate litigation, such as a case in Montana where children are suing the state over its fossil fuel-friendly policies. He also touches on the fascinating intersection between artificial intelligence and music, where AI is used to recreate voices and songs of famous artists, p...

Mike Mosallam, a talented producer, director, and writer, discusses the significance of intersectional storytelling and representation in today's media landscape and the hope that it can become commonplace. Mike emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and collaborative environment for actors and creatives, and he shares his experience with directing actors and tailoring approaches to individu...

Nayab Hussain, a versatile actress with a background in pharmacy, shares her journey of pursuing acting while managing a full-time job and family responsibilities. She reflects on her early interest in the arts, despite the challenges and lack of support due to cultural norms. Nayab discusses her experiences working on TV shows like Law & Order SVU and Veep, highlighting the importance of represen...

Fatima Gloria Shahzad, an actress, producer, activist, and businesswoman, discusses her dedication to writing her own short film, with a focus on American Muslim stories. She reflects on the freedom of sharing personal narratives without the pressure of representing everyone. Fatima also delves into her open approach to sharing personal stories and vulnerability, particularly regarding pregnancy l...

Sheherzade Raza Preisler, a filmmaker and MFA candidate at Brooklyn College's Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, discusses her journey from pre-med to filmmaking, sharing insights into her recent projects, including a short film about high school girls searching for the original 4 Loko. She discusses the challenges faced by women of color in the industry and highlights the importance of telling...

Michelle Naik, a Pakistani American wardrobe stylist and co-founder of the clothing line Basim & Michelle, shares her journey in the fashion industry, from starting a fashion blog to becoming a wardrobe stylist and creative director. She also discusses the importance of maintaining a connection to her Pakistani culture, which inspires and sets her apart in her creative work. Hosted by Shahjehan Kh...

Zeby Khan, a New York City-based performer shares his passion for acting, inspired by Bollywood movies and Shah Rukh Khan, and his excitement for upcoming roles on TV shows. He also discusses the challenges of being an actor, from getting auditions to finding meaningful and fulfilling work. He also shares his memorable experiences on film sets and how Riz Ahmed and Shah Rukh Khan have had a signif...

Actor, writer, and director Shezi Sardar discusses his latest venture, a short film titled "Stay with Me a Little While," which explores the toll of a mental health crisis on a South Asian couple's relationship. Drawing from personal experiences and family dynamics, the film delves into themes of love, commitment, guilt, and sacrifice, receiving positive feedback and accolades at various film fest...

Saadia Khan, an OG of the Pakistani podcaster community, discusses her newest show, a true crime podcast, "Invisible Hate," which focuses on hate crimes committed against minorities with the purpose of raising awareness and amplifying marginalized voices. They delve into the format of the show, the importance of amplifying these stories in America, and the need to celebrate the lives of victims wh...

Abdullah Saeed, a Pakistani American producer, discusses his comedy TV show "Deli Boys." The show follows two Pakistani American brothers who inherit their father's business empire and navigate the criminal underworld. Abdullah highlights the demand for diverse portrayals of South Asians and Pakistanis in American culture and shares how his musical background influences his screenwriting. Hosted b...

Tanzila Ahmed, a multi-talented artist and activist, discusses her passion for uncovering and documenting South Asian history in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, with plans to create a local digital driving map and record stories linked to significant locations. Tanzila also emphasizes the importance of marginalized communities telling their own narratives and the challenges of pursuing creative...