As part of our Throwback Thursday series that takes you back in time with our substantial article archive, this week we bring to you a conversation with actor Ali Fazal, whose film Milan Talkies hits theatres tomorrow.
How did acting happen? Was there one defining moment when you realized this was what you wanted to do?
It was a series of moments. Much like a screenplay really. For a science student, acting is like a great comic punch in the scheme of things. But mine lasted and developed its own little brain. One day, when I was studying at The Doon School, I broke my arm during an inter school basket ball tournament. It was always sports and studies for me until that day. And in a boarding school you're compelled to do other things. So I did. I tried to impress a girl from Canada for our annual production. Turned out, I got the part in my attempt to woo her. So that’s where this journey began and I slowly began falling for the smell of the stage and copper trophies. But bigger things only happened around college. I got casted in 3 Idiots when I was in my second year.
Do you add your own nuances to the characters you play?
I feel an actor is lying if he is not putting a part of himself in the character he plays. For an actor, getting to the heart of a character is aided by the collaboration of all the people on set.
You have worked with veterans such as Judi Dench. Is that overwhelming?
The entire journey was wonderful and more than anything else, I gained a friend. The idea of working with a veteran like her was overwhelming, but it wasn't intimidating at all. Judi compliments you every step of the way, she is a very generous actor and she is as seasoned as seasoned can be. She is almost royalty in the world of theatre and cinema and that's what it was, I got a royal treatment. In her company I couldn't have gone wrong. I don't know how bad or good my performance is but she definitely made it better than what I had expected it to be.
From Fukrey to Hollywood, its been a long journey. Have you grown with each character you played?
Yes I have grown with every character that I have played. I think one of the most important lessons of my life was came from Mahesh Bhatt when he told me not to hide behind false masks, false faces and images that you feel fit the world view. You are who you are and you are beautiful and you must believe that. I swear that he might not even remember saying that. The idea is to break yourself to a point where you find yourself and I am very thankful to God for giving me such chances.
This conversation with Ali Fazal was first published in our Design Issue, 2017.
Text Ritupriya Basu