People do talk too much about nepotism in Bollywood: Ali Fazal

Ali Fazal’s latest film release, ‘Victoria and Abdul’, has hit the theatres this week. Based on the unusual friendship between Queen Victoria and Abdul, who travelled from India to Britain in 1881 to take part in the queen’s Golden Jubilee, the film also stars Academy Award winner Judi Dench. Abdul eventually becomes Victoria’s teacher and spiritual advisor. 

‘Victoria and Abdul’ is directed by Stephen Frears and is based on is based on Shrabani Basu’s book, ‘Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant’. The film uses the unconventional pairing to examine race, power and the British Empire. 

While Fazal is no stranger to international acting projects, ‘Victoria and Abdul’ is by far his most important international role. He was earlier seen in a brief role in Vin Diesel-starrer ‘Furious 7’. 

Fazal made his Bollywood debut with a special appearance in ‘3 Idiots’ (2009), he next appeared in ‘Always Kabhi Kabhi’ (2011). His first success came in ‘Fukrey’ (2013). He was also seen in supporting roles in films like ‘Baat Ban Gayi’ (2013), ‘Bobby Jasoos’ (2014) and ‘Sonali Cable’ (2014). He played the lead in the horror film ‘Khamoshiyan’ (2015). He also had an important role in ‘Happy Bhag Jayegi’ (2016), opposite Diana Penty. Now, Fazal is looking forward to his upcoming film, ‘Fukrey 2’. 

Sony Pictures Networks’ English movie channel Sony Le PLEX HD hosted a special screening of ‘Victoria and Abdul’ in Mumbai on October 6, 2017. Adgully caught up with Ali Fazal at the film’s premiere for a brief interaction, where he spoke about his experience working in ‘Victoria and Abdul’, scope for small budget films in India, nepotism in Bollywood and more. Excerpts: 

How was your experience working in ‘Victoria & Abdul’? How did the role materialise? How did you prepare for the role?
It was a very good experience. For the first time I have done a biopic and also it is the first time on a global stage for any Indian actor in this kind of an ‘avtaar’. So, it’s a very proud moment and I feel quite responsible at the same time. I have acted opposite Judy Dench and it’s a Stephen Frears movie – it doesn’t get any better. 

There were a lot of look tests and auditions before the casting. I read a lot about the character and the whole story in preparation for my role. I have never read so much in my life before! I went through several history books because I wanted to get into the skin of the character. Abdul was a real person, but unfortunately I didn’t have much information about this man, since Abdul Karim’s history was shut and buried by the Indian and British Governments. So, it was something that we had to really take out and mathematically come to it. 

What were the three key things that you learnt from Judi Dench?

• How to work a fidget spinner in a really cool way
• How to rap, because she is a rapper
• A little bit of acting

You have worked in films, TV series and now also in a web series. How has your experience been in each of these mediums?
It was a very cinematic experience. I did them because they were all different mediums, but the way we shot them were like movies; it didn’t matter what platform it was. I think that was the most interesting part. Of course, the audiences are much wider now on the web domain; I am doing something on Amazon Prime Video and I am hoping everybody will see it. 

Which do you consider to be your breakthrough role?
The role of Abdul is my breakthrough role. 

You have worked in both Bollywood and Hollywood films. In which aspects do the two industries differ and in which aspects are they similar?
Bollywood and Hollywood movies are different. I think somewhere the ethics are changing in Bollywood, but technologically, Bollywood still lags behind a lot. So, we need to get up and game up. 

With the box-office and the business that a film does dictating a film’s success, what scope is there for small budget films with no big stars in them?
I think there is a lot of scope now as I think Indian Cinema is changing. It’s all about the times and we are coming up with good content, and that’s the only way we can get on to a global stage. If we don’t come up with content, and just keep coming up with formulas, then we will only be making people happy within our little bubble. But that’s not the way it works now, the way is changing. 

Is nepotism really as prevalent in Bollywood as it is made out to be?
I think nepotism is there and it is okay to have it. People do talk too much about it. We have some great talents from great families and I respect them. I am a big fan of those people. 

Could you tell us about your upcoming projects that you are most excited about?
‘Fukrey 2’ is my upcoming project and I am really excited about it. The film will be released this December. I am also doing something with Amazon Prime Video and Excel that I have just started shooting for.