Other prominent contenders in the category include Kathy Carver (Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story), Trevor Noah (Into the Uncut Grass), US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (Lovely One: A Memoir) and Fab Morvan (You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli).

In a Facebook post, Amjad Ali Khan congratulated the Dalai Lama, describing the collaboration as “close to our hearts” and “a listening experience that invites reflection, stillness and compassion.” Calling the experience a “profound privilege,” he said the team hoped the nomination would highlight “the timeless need for compassion in our world.”

The Dalai Lama has received numerous honours over the decades, including the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2006 US Congressional Gold Medal, the 2012 Templeton Prize, the 2015 Liberty Medal, the 2019 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, and the 2025 Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability.