From playing cameos to driving narratives, Ali Fazal has come a long way. The diligent actor, who is shooting for Prasthanam , a remake of South Indian film with Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala, has changed his game plan as he gained more in terms of confidence and maturity. “I am not doing what I used to do earlier – taking everything that came my way. I did it because at that time the idea was to gather experience.” He is playing the lead protagonist in Tigmanshu Dhulia's much-awaited Milan Talkies , which according to Ali is a “mix of Italian classic Cinema Paradiso and Romeo and Juliet .”
Here he talks about his current state of mind, international recognition and why he does not want to do smaller roles in Bollywood.
Excerpts:
What is your plan of action?
I am choosing films according to the roles, not by any strategy. Obviously, the script is God these days because films are more content driven and of course one has to be aware of the credentials of the director and producer. There are many films which come each year but not all have a vision. Sometimes, the producer is unable to take the film to a larger audience It is something that I am taking into account.
Do you think that you have been able to go beyond the urban boy next door image?
Yes, I think that people no more see me as a boy next door as I have done different kinds of roles. My upcoming film Milan Talkies is a highly romantic film and I am exploring different avenues like for Amazon Prime show Mirzapur, which I am doing with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, I have built muscles. I underwent proper training for six months.
Does the business of films affect your choices?
I believe in moving fast from one film to the other. One thing I have learnt is if one film doesn’t work at the box office, it should not stop me from doing the next film. I can’t be too choosy until all my films start working at the box office. Unfortunately or fortunately that's how things work in our industry. You are considered bankable only if you give good returns at the box office. Being a good actor is not enough.
How has life changed after international recognition?
I am fortunate that I am one of the few who have done a lead part in a proper Hollywood film (Victoria and Abdul), made on a big scale. I am happy for all the love I have got after the film. I am now a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and I feel blessed that I am one of the youngest Indians to be on that list.
Recently, you also judged short films at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne...
I love short films as a form because we don’t have much time and short films give you more creative freedom.
I watch films critically as I know the craft. I write and want to direct one day. The film has to touch you and take you on a journey, wherever that journey may be.
There must be in depth discussions with your directors...
Yes, you have to understand where your character is coming from and why did the writer choose to write from a certain point of view. Sometimes, the actors build a character’s background and history but I don’t believe in that process. The film starts with first page of the script and ends with the last page. Your world is limited within that and all the answers are present in it. For me, costumes are very important and a lot of discussion goes into that.
They are like second skin and give you the posture and the feel. In Victoria and Abdul , we used to spend hours discussing costume as we did not have a timeline in the film and you can see the time passing.
How is working in a franchise with an ensemble cast different from working as a solo lead actor?
At this point in my career, I am bagging some lead parts and I know it is a wave that I have to ride. I cannot just go and say that I can do a cameo in some random film.
There have been some big films in which some cameo roles were offered but I declined. I have played Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots or Zafar in Fukrey but I think I have to believe in myself and take the things on my own shoulders otherwise there won’t be any growth.
But there are films which can give you more visibility...
You have to define what is big and what is a small role. It depends on what kind of a project it is. Fast and Furious was a huge project with high visibility. I didn’t hesitate working in it as it was produced by Universal Studios which later produced Victoria and Abdul.
It was a big step ahead. Maybe I will not hesitate in Hollywood for smaller roles as I am just starting out there but in Bollywood, I have made a name already and I have to think really hard before taking any smaller role.
