Aziz Ansari’s new Netflix comedy Master of None is garnishing high praise for the show’s overall tone and vision, as well as Ansari’s uniquely quirky style of comedy. But if there’s been one particular (and perhaps surprising) breakthrough moment thus far, it’s that Ansari’s real-life parents, Shoukath and Fatima Ansari, were cast to portray his parents on the show, and have subsequently received fanfare that nearly eclipses Ansari’s own. And guess what? Ansari knows it and loves it, and in a post he published on Tumblr earlier today, wrote an emotionally moving letter dedicated to his full and unconditional love for his parents.
My dad took off most of his vacation time for the year to act in Master of None. So I’m really relieved this all worked out. Tonight after we did Colbert together he said: “This is all fun and I liked acting in the show, but I really just did it so I could spend more time with you.” I almost instantly collapsed into tears at the thought of how much this person cares about me and took care of me and gave me everything to give me the amazing life I have. I felt like a total piece of garbage for all the times I haven’t visited my parents and told them I wanted to stay in New York cause I’d get bored in SC. I’m an incredibly lucky person and many of you are as well. Not to beat a dead horse here and sorry if this is cheesy or too sentimental but if your parents are good to you too, just go do something nice for them. I bet they care and love you more than you realize
Ansari continues by talking about how he’s been “overwhelmed” by the enthusiastic response to his mom and dad’s performances in the “Parents” episode of the show:
What’s strange is doing that episode and working with my parents has increased the quality of my relationship to my parents IN MY REAL LIFE. In reality, I haven’t always had the best, most open relationship with my parents because we are weirdly closed off emotionally sometimes. But we are getting better. And if you have something like that with your family — I urge you to work at it and get better because these are special people in your life and I get terrified when my dad tells me about friends of his, people close to his age, that are having serious health issues, etc. Enjoy and love these people while you can.
Anyway, this show and my experiences with my parents while working on it have been very important in many ways and I thank for you the part you all have played in it.
Someone get Aziz a ribbon that says Son of the Year 2015 — he deserves it.
