Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
British rap drama has cursing and questions about identity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Mogul Mowgli
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MOGUL MOWGLI, when British-Pakistani rapper Zed (Riz Ahmed) is offered a tour of the U.S., the dream he has worked so hard to achieve is within his grasp. Before the tour commences, he goes back to the U.K. to see his family. But there, Zed receives devastating news that puts both his health and his career in doubt.
Is It Any Good?
Ahmed has described this pulsating drama as his most personal film yet. Having co-written and produced Mogul Mowgli, he also stars in the central role as Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper who is on the cusp of super-stardom in the U.S.. But then Zed is diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease, putting the future he has worked so hard for in jeopardy. Zed must also deal with this crushing news while visiting his family in the U.K., who although supportive of his career, don't fully understand it.
Having established himself as one of his generation's finest actors in the likes of Nightcrawler and The Night Of, Ahmed also gets to showcase his other talent, rapping. His poignant rhymes are delivered with the skill you'd expect from someone who has been MCing for most of his life. Yet this is far more than a showreel of Ahmed's talents. Themes such as identity, race, heritage, and even fertility are all explored, without trying to provide any quick answers to such complex questions. Some of the scenes between Zed and his father, Bashir (Alyy Khan), are particularly moving, managing to avoid being overly sentimental. Personal it maybe, but there's plenty here for anyone who's ever asked themselves what their place in the world is.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the issue of identity as portrayed in Mogul Mowgli. What emotions do you think Zed feels when he visits his family? Do you think his family understands him? Do you think he understands them? What does it mean to be from somewhere? What are the dangers of categorizing people?
Talk about some of the language used in the movie. Does it seem necessary or excessive? What does it contribute to the movie?
How does Zed deal with his diagnosis? Does that change over time? How does he show courage and perseverance? Why are these good character strengths to have?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 3, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : February 15, 2022
- Cast : Riz Ahmed , Anjana Vasan , Alyy Khan
- Director : Bassam Tariq
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Strand Releasing
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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