Kumail Nanjiani scores a spot in ‘Time's 100 most influential’ list

Apart from spreading chuckles all around, Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani is also well-known for using his pedestal to be vocal of issues that go unnoticed especially from marginalized communities. And for that reason he has earned himself a spot in the ‘Time’s 100 most influential’ people’s list.

The standup comedian turned actor, has the honor of being featured in the pioneer section of the list where people who have recently excelled in their relevant fields are given tribute.

Judd Apatow, the Emmy-award winning screenwriter who scripted Nanjiani's profile for the magazine stated: “Kumail is one of our most hilarious, unique stand-up comedians. But what is most exciting about him is that he is the new comedic voice that we need. His incredibly funny Saturday Night Live monologue made it impossible not to see the ridiculousness of intolerance. He reminds people how fundamental a misunderstanding it is that a community of almost two billion people is to be feared. We’re lucky to have Kumail. We need a thousand more."

In regards to Kumail’s film ‘The Big Sick’, Apatow states: “When a project is completed, it’s easy to forget what a long shot it was at the outset. The market wasn’t exactly crying out for a movie about a woman in a coma starring a Pakistani immigrant who questions his faith. But when Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon wrote ‘The Big Sick’, working for years without any guarantee of success, they wrote a script so strong, it was undeniable. Kumail and Emily took theirs and made it heartfelt and funny, and at an enormous personal risk—because there’s nothing more humiliating than sharing the most important story in your life and having the movie be awful."

‘The Silicon Valley’ actor had the honor of being featured in the esteemed list alongside globally acclaimed luminaries, like Deepika Padukone, Virat Kohli, Nicole Kidman, Gal Gadot, Millie Bobby Brown, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, amongst other noteworthy names.