Aziz Ansari is preparing to release his directorial debut, Good Fortune, after multiple delays, notably caused by misconduct allegations against Bill Murray on the set of Ansari’s original project, Being Mortal. The incident, which involved Murray allegedly climbing on a masked female production assistant and kissing her during COVID protocols, prompted an HR investigation and a subsequent production shutdown in early 2021. Despite these serious allegations and the unexpected halt, Ansari remains committed to finishing the film with Murray involved.
Reflecting on the situation, Ansari said,
He couldn’t believe it happened. I think this movie meant a lot to him.
He described Murray’s reaction as devastated by the event, showing the emotional toll it took on the actor.
Bill Murray’s Response and Comments on the Investigation
Bill Murray publicly addressed the incident in April 2024, expressing that he thinks often about the event from three years prior. He remarked,
go too many days or weeks without thinking about what happened on Being Mortal.
However, Murray’s tone revealed frustration with the investigation rather than regret. In a New York Times interview, he criticized the studio’s HR process, stating,
there was no conversation, there was nothing, there was no peacemaking, nothing
and describing the process as lunatic arbitration that fell short of his expectations for fairness and justice. His comments contrasted with earlier statements where he expressed cooperation and a hope to complete the film while taking time for self-reflection.
Aziz Ansari Reflects on His Own Past Misconduct Allegations
Ansari has faced allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior since 2018, which he addressed in his 2019 comedy special Right Now. He acknowledged feeling terrible about the accusations and indicated he took time to reflect. Speaking about his time away from the spotlight, Ansari clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that it was not a formal break, emphasizing,
It wasn’t really a break, per se. I did that tour, and I wanted to address it in the special because people were curious about how I felt about the whole experience. So I felt like I had to talk about it in the special,
he explained.
Regarding his apology, Ansari stated,
I mean, I apologized to the person personally, right? When it happened.
However, he did not issue a public apology, choosing to keep his response private.
Production Challenges and Future Prospects for Ansari’s Films
The shutdown of Being Mortal came as a major setback after the HR investigation halted production three-quarters into filming. Following this, Ansari’s new film Good Fortune became a critical focus, though it has also faced delays, partly due to industry strikes. Ansari’s insistence on including Murray despite the misconduct allegations signals his desire to overcome past obstacles and complete his cinematic vision.
The situation also underscores wider industry tensions around misconduct accountability and the impact such controversies have on film productions and careers. Ansari’s determination to move forward with Murray involved may shape public and industry perceptions about how allegations affect professional collaborations.
