Riz Ahmed’s Rogue One Challenge: Exhaustion, Recovery, and Evolution
Riz Ahmed’s portrayal of Bodhi Rook in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* came with daunting trials, both physically and emotionally, as revealed on Penn Badgley’s *Podcrushed* podcast. Pushed to the brink of exhaustion and facing an unforeseen health crisis that landed him in the hospital, Ahmed candidly recalled his battle with fear, grief, and an overwhelming sense of acceptance, despite being engulfed in uncertainty. With his health ordeal marking a transformative period, Ahmed emerged with a newfound appreciation for life and an altered career trajectory, choosing roles rich in depth and inner conflict, exemplified by his Oscar-nominated turn in *Sound of Metal*. Adding a touch of humor, Ahmed reminisced about his relentless determination during auditions for *Rogue One*, sending director Gareth Edwards an astonishing 14 versions within just three days. Dive into the full story to uncover how these experiences reshaped Ahmed’s life and career choices.
#RizAhmed #RogueOne #StarWars #SoundOfMetal #Transformation #BehindTheScenes
Quick Takeaways:
- Riz Ahmed faced intense health challenges while filming Rogue One.
- His hospital stay led to a deeper sense of gratitude and personal change.
- The experience shaped his approach to future roles.
- His Rogue One audition process was unorthodox — and prolific.
Physical and Emotional Toll During Filming
Riz Ahmed shared in a recent appearance on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed podcast that filming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story had a serious impact on his health. The physical demands of the role, combined with long hours and stress, caused his body to shut down. He explained that at one point, his body “just kind of, like, gave up,” leading to hospitalization.
He described the incident as “super scary and intense and quite prolonged,” noting that recovery wasn’t quick or easy. Over time, he worked to rebuild his strength, highlighting how taxing the experience truly was.
A Mysterious Health Crisis and Emotional Aftermath
Doctors were unable to determine the exact cause of his health breakdown. Ahmed described the illness as “something very silent and very intense.” The uncertainty surrounding his condition added to the emotional strain.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, Ahmed came out of the experience with what he called a strange mix of emotions: “grief and fear,” paired with “tremendous liberation and gratitude and acceptance.” He reflected, “In the most strange way, I never felt more grateful, more at peace, more content than when I felt like I was going to lose my whole life.”
A Shift in Creative Direction
The experience led Ahmed to reconsider the types of projects he wanted to take on. After Rogue One, he gravitated toward stories with heavier themes. One of those projects was Sound of Metal, in which he played a drummer dealing with hearing loss — a role that earned him an Oscar nomination.
The film aligned with the personal exploration he had begun during his recovery, focusing on identity, limitation, and growth.
An Overwhelming Audition Process
In an earlier interview on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2018, Ahmed recalled the unconventional way he auditioned for Rogue One. Director Gareth Edwards did not initially invite him to audition, so Ahmed took matters into his own hands — submitting 14 self-taped versions of the same scene over the course of three days.
Laughing about it now, he admitted, "They're not even that different. I just changed my clothes."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Riz Ahmed hospitalized during the filming of ‘Rogue One’?
Riz Ahmed was hospitalized due to what he described as “something very silent and very intense” while shooting ‘Rogue One’. Though the details were not fully disclosed, it suggests a serious but internal health issue or stress response during the production.
Did Riz Ahmed continue filming ‘Rogue One’ after his hospitalization?
Yes, Riz Ahmed continued filming ‘Rogue One’ after his health scare. Despite the incident, he returned to set and completed his role as Bodhi Rook in the film.
What role did Riz Ahmed play in ‘Rogue One’?
Riz Ahmed played Bodhi Rook, a former Imperial pilot who defected to the Rebellion. His character played a key role in delivering vital information about the Death Star.
What caused Riz Ahmed’s health issue on ‘Rogue One’ set?
While Riz Ahmed hasn’t shared the exact cause, he referred to it as something “very silent and very intense,” which may point to exhaustion, stress, or a physical issue that wasn’t immediately outwardly visible.
When did Riz Ahmed reveal his hospitalization during ‘Rogue One’?
Riz Ahmed spoke about his hospitalization years after filming ‘Rogue One’. He reflected on the experience during an interview, shedding light on the intense demands of the role.
Was Riz Ahmed’s ‘Rogue One’ performance impacted by his health scare?
Despite his health scare, Riz Ahmed delivered a strong performance in ‘Rogue One’. His portrayal of Bodhi Rook was well-received and added emotional depth to the film’s storyline.
How did Riz Ahmed prepare for his role in ‘Rogue One’?
Riz Ahmed immersed himself in the character by learning about the Star Wars universe and working on Bodhi Rook’s backstory. The intense preparation and physical demands may have contributed to the health challenge he experienced.
Filipino Translation:
Grabe, sobrang hirap daw ng role ni Riz Ahmed as Bodhi Rook sa Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, both physically and emotionally habang ginagawa nila 'yung movie. Sa isang recent na interview niya sa Podcrushed podcast ni Penn Badgley, na-share ni Riz na umabot sa point na “just kind of, like, gave up” na daw katawan niya during filming. As in sobrang pagod at nagka-serious health issue siya, kaya kinailangan pa niyang ma-confine sa ospital.
Sabi niya, super intense at nakakatakot daw 'yung experience, at sobrang tagal din ng recovery. Kailangan talaga niyang bumawi sa lakas niya kasi “really try and regain [his] strength” daw, ayon sa kanya.
Tungkol naman sa health scare niya, aminado si Riz na “it really wasn't clear” kung ano talaga 'yung nag-trigger ng buong pangyayari. Ang description niya, “something very silent and very intense.” Habang nagre-recover siya, na-experience daw niya ang mix ng emotions — may “grief and fear,” pero meron din siyang naramdaman na “tremendous liberation and gratitude and acceptance.” Sabi pa niya, “In the most strange way, I never felt more grateful, more at peace, more content than when I felt like I was going to lose my whole life.”
Dahil sa nangyari, nagbago daw ‘yung perspective niya pagdating sa career niya. Parang mas naging intentional siya sa pagpili ng mga roles, tulad ng Oscar-nominated performance niya sa Sound of Metal, na tumatalakay sa mga tema ng internal struggle at physical limitation.
Naalala rin ni Riz ‘yung kakaibang audition process niya para sa Rogue One noong 2018 sa The Jonathan Ross Show. Nakakatawa kasi sabi niya, nagpadala siya ng “14 different auditions of the scene” kay director Gareth Edwards sa loob lang ng three days. Pero sabi niya, “They're not even that different. I just changed my clothes.”
Talagang all-out effort, diba?
Riz Ahmed Was Hospitalized for ‘Something Very Silent and Very Intense’ While Shooting ‘Rogue One’ was first published here.
