On a lively Monday evening in New York City, all eyes were fixed on the entrance of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where a crowd of excited fans gathered in the crisp night air.
Amid the rush of traffic and flashing lights, they weren’t just waiting for anyone—they were waiting for Keanu Reeves, the Hollywood icon whose kindness and quiet charm have made him one of the most beloved stars on the planet.
The event marked a special screening of Reeves’ latest film, Good Fortune, a supernatural comedy written and directed by comedian Aziz Ansari.
But while Keanu smiled for photos and waved to fans alongside his longtime girlfriend Alexandra Grant, one person was conspicuously missing—Ansari himself.
A Missing Director and a Cloud of Controversy
Ansari’s absence at the premiere didn’t go unnoticed.
The comedian, known for his work on Parks and Recreation and his sharp-witted stand-up, has been trying to rebuild his image following past controversies.
The release of Good Fortune, his first major project as a director, was supposed to be a fresh start—but it comes at a complicated time for him.
Recently, Ansari sparked backlash after performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, a nation long criticized for its human rights record.
Alongside big names like Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis C.K., Jimmy Carr, and Jack Whitehall, he was accused of helping the Saudi government “whitewash” its global image by participating in the event.
Defending His Decision to Perform in Saudi Arabia
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ansari defended his decision to perform in Riyadh, explaining that he had wrestled with the moral implications before ultimately deciding to go.
“It’s a pretty brutal regime,” Kimmel reminded him, but Ansari argued that engaging in dialogue through comedy was better than isolating the country.
“For me, especially being me and looking the way I do and being from a Muslim background, it felt like something I should be a part of,” he told Kimmel.
Ansari also announced plans to donate part of his festival earnings to organizations like Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders—a move meant to show good faith.
However, that gesture quickly backfired. Human Rights Watch publicly declined his donation, saying they could not accept money that originated from Saudi authorities.
Instead, they urged comedians who performed there to use their platform to call for the release of imprisoned Saudi activists.
Human Rights Watch Rejects Ansari’s Donation
In a statement reported by Variety, Human Rights Watch clarified that while they appreciated the thought, they could not accept “indirect funding” that traced back to the Saudi government.
“We are very mindful of our independence and objectivity,” said Arvind Ganesan, the organization’s head of economic justice and rights.
Researcher Joey Shea added that while the organization hadn’t called for a full boycott of the festival, it did expect performers to speak up for free speech and human rights.
“It’s not too late for comedians to call for the release of detained Saudi activists,” Shea emphasized.
The controversy has reignited debate around Ansari’s judgment—and whether his attempts at redemption are being undermined by the very decisions meant to repair his reputation.
Revisiting the 2017 Allegations That Changed Everything
Ansari’s reputation first took a major hit back in 2017, when a Brooklyn-based photographer accused him of sexual misconduct following a date at his TriBeCa apartment.
The woman, who spoke anonymously to the outlet Babe, claimed she experienced a “violating and painful night” during which Ansari ignored her verbal and non-verbal cues.
According to her account, they met at an Emmy Awards after-party in 2016 and later arranged a dinner in New York.
She alleged that after a rushed meal, Ansari pressured her into sexual activity despite her discomfort.
The detailed story, which included claims that he repeatedly guided her hand toward him and ignored her boundaries, became one of the earliest cases to complicate the public’s understanding of consent in the #MeToo era.
Ansari’s Response and Attempt at Redemption
A year later, Ansari addressed the allegations during a surprise set at New York’s Village Underground, admitting that the situation had deeply affected him.
“There were times I felt really upset and embarrassed,” he told the audience. “Ultimately, I just felt terrible that this person felt this way.”
He said the experience forced him to reflect on his behavior and the wider issue of male accountability.
“If it made me or other guys think about how to be more aware and respectful, that’s a good thing,” he said earnestly.
The comedian admitted the scandal had shaken his career to its core, but it also made him more grateful for his audience.
“Now when I say ‘Thanks so much,’ I mean it on a different level,” he told fans.
“You canceled whatever you were supposed to do tonight and came out just to hear me talk. That means the world to me.”
A New Beginning or More Trouble Ahead?
Now, as Ansari prepares for the release of Good Fortune, his first venture behind the camera, questions remain about whether audiences are ready to forgive—and whether he can truly move on from the controversies that continue to shadow him.
For Keanu Reeves, whose reputation remains untouched and whose humility continues to charm the world, the evening at Lincoln Center was another reminder of his enduring appeal.
For Ansari, however, it was yet another moment where the spotlight shone just a little too harshly.
As Good Fortune nears release, only time will tell whether this film marks a turning point for Ansari—or just another chapter in a career defined as much by controversy as by comedy.