Ali Fazal

Ali Fazal

Ali Fazal looking away from camera

Fazal at 59th Filmfare Awards ceremony, 2014
Born (1986-10-15) 15 October 1986
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation Actor, model
Years active 2008–present
Religion Islam

Ali Fazal (pronounced [əliː fəˈzaːl]; born 15 October 1986) is an Indian actor. Born in Lucknow, he made his screen debut with a small role in the English language film The Other End of the Line (2008) before appearing in the American television miniseries Bollywood Hero (2009).

Fazal made his Bollywood debut with a special appearance in 3 Idiots (2009) and he next appeared in Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011). His first success came in Fukrey (2013) and was seen in a supporting roles in films; Baat Ban Gayi (2013), Bobby Jasoos (2014) and Sonali Cable (2014). He played lead role in "khamoshiyan" (2015)—followed by his first American film Furious 7.

Early life

Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Fazal's family hails from Allahabad.[1] He was brought up in a "middle-class family" from a village near the Ganges. His father worked in a firm in the Middle East. He grew up in his maternal grandparents' home—with his grandparents and his mother—since his parents were separated while he was a kid.[2] The couple got divorced when Fazal was 18.[3] He completed schooling from The Doon School in Dehra Dun. He used to play basketball during his school days, and hoped to represent India as a basketball player.[3]

In 2004, he participated in school plays and engaged in debates, more for passing time than anything else, as he had fractured his hand and could not practice basketball.[4] He was selected for the role of Trinculo in the role play of The Tempest by William Shakespeare, which resulted in him developing a passion for theatre.[1] Fazal first took up engineering, convinced by his parents since he is the only child in the family.[2] However, he persuaded his parents to change his stream to economics.[2] He came to Mumbai and graduated in economics from St. Xavier's College.[5]

Career

2008–11: Early work

Fazal committed to acting professionally in 2008, with a small role in the James Dodson—directed romantic comedy film The Other End of the Line (2008).[6] The film was a critical and commercial failure.[7][8] He next appeared in the American television miniseries Bollywood Hero (2009), where he portrayed the role of Monty Kapoor.[6] During his second year of college, Saeed Akhtar Mirza saw him in a play and picked Fazal for the lead of erotic thriller Ek Tho Chance (2009), alongside Amrita Arora and Saurabh Shukla.[1] The film focused on the realities and comedies inherent in life in Mumbai. The film premiered at 14th International Film Festival of Kerala and is scheduled for a worldwide release in 2015.[9]

Ali Fazal looking at the camera
Fazal at a promotional event for Always Kabhi Kabhi, 2011

The same year, Fazal made Bollywood film debut with Rajkumar Hirani's National Film Award-winning 3 Idiots, a film loosely based on the novel Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat.[10] He was doing a theatre play at Prithvi Theatre in Juhu, when a person from the film's production unit noticed him and referred him to Hirani.[5][11] Co-starring alongside Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, Fazal played the role of an engineering student, Joy Lobo. The film received critical acclaim and emerged as the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time up until then, grossing ₹3920 million (US$58 million) in worldwide.[12]

In 2011, Fazal was picked up by Shahrukh Khan's production-house, Red Chillies Entertainment for Roshan Abbas–directed romance film Always Kabhi Kabhi.[13] Appeared opposite Giselli Monteiro, Fazal plays the role of Sameer Khanna, and had to lose 15 kilos for him to suit the role.[11] The film received negative response from the critics and was proved to be a box office flop.[14] While Komal Nahta of Koimoi felt he acts reasonably well,[15] Gaurav Malani from The Times of India picked him as the only saving grace from the cast.[16] Later in an interview, Fazal expressed doing the film was not a right decision.[17]

2013–present: Breakthrough

Fazal's first release of 2013 came in the Mrighdeep Singh Lamba–directed coming of age comedy film Fukrey, in which he portrayed the role of Zafar, a struggling musician.[18] The film along with his character received mixed response from critics. Nishi Tiwari from Rediff.com disapproved how he wears a "dazed expression" throughout the film,[19] and Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV felt his role is "underwritten".[20] However, he considered the film as a "major turning point" of his career since he received many offers for lead roles, post the release of the film.[21] The same year, Fazal appeared in the Shuja Ali–directed romantic comedy film Baat Bann Gayi which was considered as a "parody" on Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors.[3] He portrayed the dual roles of Kabir—a successful novelist from Singapore— and Rasiya Bihari—a local don.[22] The film met with negative reactions from critics and flopped at the box office, though Fazal was praised for his acting.[14] Faheem Ruhani from India Today considered him as an upcoming talent to "watch out for",[23] while The Times of India affirmed he is "standing out" from the cast.[24]

In 2014, Fazal appeared in a supporting role, opposite Vidya Balan in comedy-drama Bobby Jasoos, directed by Samar Shaikh. Initially, Fazal refused the role, since he felt he has "nothing much to do in it", though later agreed, because of the "unusual romance" between him and Balan.[25] Fazal's role as Tasawur, a popular local TV anchor who helps a Hyderabadi woman who aspires to be a detective—played by Balan—was well received. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama described Fazal as a "complete revelation", adding: "Although pitted against a powerhouse performer like Vidya, Ali makes his presence felt with a wonderful performance".[26] The same year he appeared in Charudutt Acharya–directed film Sonali Cable opposite Rhea Chakraborty, where he portrayed the role of Raghu. Fazal did his first on-screen intimate scene for a song in the film along with Chakraborty.[27] His acting received mixed response from critics, where many criticised him for "recent stereotyped roles".[28] Mohar Basu from Koimoi commented, "Ali Fazal is not even close to what he is capable of. The actor has good potential and this film fails to unleash it",[29] though Renuka Vyavahare reviewing for The Times of India felt he is "likeable in his character".[30] Both the films released during the year received mixed to negative response from critics and was declared to be box office flops.[14]

Fazal next took the lead role in Karan Darra's psychological horror thriller Khamoshiyan (2015).[31] He portrayed the role of Kabir, an alcoholic novelist, whose failed career and relationship forcing him to move to Kashmir in search of an inspirational story. The film was a critical failure, though his performance was well received. Bollywood Hungama considered him as a gifted actor. "He has a wide range of emotions that effortlessly inhabit his face".[32] The Hindu critic Arjun Kumar described him as a "natural performer with effective screen presence".[33] Reportedly, Fazal was offered a role in the American political thriller television series Homeland, but he had to reject the offer since he already commenced shooting for Khamoshiyan and ultimately the role went to Nimrat Kaur.[34][35]

Fazal made his Hollywood film debut with a special appearance in the action film Furious 7, the seventh installment in The Fast and the Furious film series.[36] He plays the role of Safar, a friend of Ramsey—played by Nathalie Emmanuel—and an Emirati-resident mechanic of Abu Dhabi.[37] In the film review, The Hindu wrote: "Our Ali Fazal turns up in a fleeting cameo and before we could breath in his presence he is ejected out of the scenery".[38] Reportedly, Fazal admitted that he has only three scenes in the film and Subhash K. Jha from Bollywood Hungama considered those scenes "delightful".[39][40] Fazal regarded the film as an "experience to remember for a lifetime".[41] It was followed by an appearance in an online video on the occasion of Mother's Day, entitled Cheers, under the direction of Piyush Raghani.[42] He was next seen in an Indo-American film, For Here Or To Go? which revolves around two Indian immigrants who find themselves difficult to build a successful life away from home.[43] He played the role of Vivek Pandit who is an aspiring Indian tech entrepreneur who is poised to become a key hire at a healthcare startup.[44] The film is premiered at many international film festivals.[45]

As of October 2015, Fazal had started filming an Indo-Chinese romantic drama, playing a villager.[46] He also had commenced shooting for Anand L. Rai's upcoming Happy Bhaag Jayegi, opposite Abhay Deol and Diana Penty, where Fazal will portray the role of a Punjab boy in the film.[47] Fazal is also cast in Yashraj Films youth studio Y-Films' web-series Bang Baaja Baraat opposite Angira Dhar.[48]

Personal life and off-screen work

A sporty person, Fazal loves to play hockey and basketball and considers watching movies in his leisure time.[11] He has water phobia and cannot swim.[3] So he participated in a diving expedition in Thailand. He says, "Though I still cannot swim, I felt one with nature underwater".[3] He convinced his parents to get a divorce, since he felt it would make everyone happy and is the right decision.[3] "I believe it's not fair on people to continue in a relationship only because a child’s involved".[3] A music lover, Fazal dreams to be a part of the music band and wants to play guitar in particular.[49]

Ali Fazal looking walking on a stage
Fazal walking the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week, 2015

Fazal keeps his relationship link-ups private and conceal it even from his family.[1] In August 2014, reports suggested that Fazal began a romantic relationship with a Delhi girl named, Anisha Gupta.[50] However, he denied the news and regarded it as a false rumor.[50]

In addition to acting, Fazal has been supporting charitable organisations, and has performed for stage shows. In February 2015, he joined a Cancerthon organised by NDTV and Fortis in order to create awareness about cancer and raising funds for children battling the disease.[51] He raised voice against smoking during the event.[51] Moreover, he took part in organizing a drag race in Lonavla, in the memory of Paul Walker.[52] That year, he participated in a musical concert—titled 'Rooh Kambdi'— to raise funds for victims of the earthquake in Nepal along with Tochi Raina.[53] On 29 May 2015, Fazal participated in the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix to promote Furious 7.[54] Same year, he inaugurated the Lucknow Police's Modern Control Room, supporting in the progress of the state.[55]

In the media

Fazal is particularly known in the media as a "talkative" person with a media "friendly self".[56][57] His earlier releases like, 3 Idiots, Always Kabhi Kabhi, Fukrey and Baat Ban Gayi featured him in cameo appearances and small roles, where, Chaya Unnikrishnan, a journalist from Daily News and Analysis felt that most of his performances are "restrained" and "measured".[56] Fazal, then decided that he will refrain from doing small roles and multi-starrer films.[58] Subsequent releases, Bobby Jasoos and Sonali Cable had him appearing in supporting roles in women-centric films, which Firstpost reviewers found "similar" and Bollywood Hungama labelled his roles "stereotyped".[28][59][60] Neha Maheshwri of The Times of India appraised his "professionalism" as he "experiments with his looks".[61]

In 2014, Fazal made an entry on The Times of India's listing of the "Most Desirable Man".[62] Furthermore, he is the celebrity endorser for RuPay—an Indian domestic card scheme.[63]

Filmography

Films

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2008 The Other End of the Line Vij Special appearance [8]
2009 Ek Tho Chance TBA Premiered at International Film Festivals [1]
2009 3 Idiots Joy Lobo Special appearance [64]
2011 Always Kabhi Kabhi Sameer "Sam" Khanna [65]
2013 Fukrey Zafar [49]
2013 Baat Ban Gayi Kabir / Rasiya Bihari Dual role [66]
2014 Bobby Jasoos Tasawur [67]
2014 Sonali Cable Raghu [68]
2015 Khamoshiyan Kabir [69]
2015 Furious 7 Zafar English film
Special appearance		 [70]
[71]
2015 Cheers Himself Short film [42]
2015 For Here Or To Go? Vivek Pandit Indo-American film
Premiered at International Film Festivals		 [45]
[44]
2016 Happy Bhaag Jayegi Film has yet to be released TBA Post-production [72]
2016 Love Affair Film has yet to be released TBA Pre-production [73]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Bollywood Hero Monty Kapoor 3 episodes

Web Series

Year Title Role Produced by References
2015 Bang Baaja Baaraat Pawan Y-Films [74]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Singh, Raghuvendra (25 July 2014). "I would do Brokeback Mountain with Ranveer Singh". Filmfare. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Fazal, Ali (16 January 2015). "The city with the filmy angle". India Today. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sattar, Saimi (25 January 2015). "A second act". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  4. ↑ Vijayakar, R.M. (26 January 2015). "Meet 'Khamoshiyaan' Stars Alia Fazal, Sapna Pabbi and Gurmeet Chaudhary". India West. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 Kaur, Amarjot (7 July 2014). "Life in the fast lane". The Tribune. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Will always cherish my part in ‘Fast & Furious’: Ali Fazal". The Hindu. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "At the other end of the line?". The Times of India. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  8. 1 2 Pais, Arthur J (3 November 2008). "Shriya's Hollywood debut a dud". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "'Ek Tho Chance' is a people's film'". Deccan Herald. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  10. ↑ Nair, Patcy (23 December 2009). "An exclusive interview with Raju Hirani". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Sahu, Deepika (14 June 2011). "Ali Fazal's the first actor in his family". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "Chennai Express Crosses Ek Tha Tiger Worldwide In Ten Days". Box Office India. 19 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  13. ↑ Unnikrishnan, Chaya (31 January 2015). "This Valentine's Day, I will be alone: Ali Fazal". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 "Ali Fazal: Box Office Details and Filmography". Box Office India. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  15. ↑ Nahta, Komal (17 June 2011). "Always Kabhi Kabhi Review". Koimoi. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Malani, Gaurav (17 June 2011). "Always Kabhi Kabhi: Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Wadhwa, Akash (2 September 2014). "Ali Fazal: Always Kabhi Kabhi was a dent in my career". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Chopra, Anupama (15 June 2013). "Anupama Chopra's review: Fukrey". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  19. ↑ Nishi, Tiwari (14 June 2013). "Review: Fukrey doesn't really work". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  20. ↑ Chatterjee, Saibal (13 June 2013). "Fukrey movie review". NDTV. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  21. ↑ "Ali Fazal: Bobby Jasoos is About Relationships". NDTV. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Maniar, Parag (7 October 2013). "Ali Fazal challenged by his dual role". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  23. ↑ Ruhani, Faheem (11 October 2013). "Movie Review: Baat Bann Gayi". India Today. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  24. ↑ Anshuman, Karan (11 October 2013). "Film Movie Review: Baat Bann Gayi". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  25. ↑ Wadhwa, Akash (13 August 2014). "I didn't want to do Bobby Jasoos says Ali Fazal". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  26. ↑ Adarsh, Taran (4 July 2014). "Bobby Jasoos Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  27. ↑ Dipti (2 October 2014). "‘I chose Bhatt over Homeland’". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  28. 1 2 Adarsh, Taran (17 October 2014). "Sonali Cable Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  29. ↑ Basu, Mohar (17 October 2014). "Sonali Cable Review". Koimoi. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Sonali Cable Movie Review". The Times of India. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  31. ↑ "Glad I said yes to ‘Khamoshiyan’: Ali Fazal". The Indian Express. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  32. ↑ "Khamoshiyan Critic Review". Bollywood Hungama. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  33. ↑ Kumar, Arjun (30 January 2015). "Movie review of Khamoshiyan: A quiet date". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  34. ↑ "Ali Fazal missed chance to star in ‘Homeland’ for ‘Bobby Jasoos’". The Indian Express. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ali Fazal "Happy" About Nimrat Kaur's Role in Homeland". NDTV. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  36. ↑ Masand, Rajeev (14 September 2013). "Not Deepika, not Sonam, Fukrey's Ali Fazal lands role in 'Fast and Furious 7'". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  37. ↑ Tsering, Lisa (2 April 2015). "‘Furious 7’ Role Gives India’s Ali Fazal a Chance to Shine". India West. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  38. ↑ Kumar, Anuj (3 April 2015). "Fast & Furious-7: Time to apply the brakes". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "I have three scenes in ‘Fast and Furious 7’: Ali Fazal". The Indian Express. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  40. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. (3 April 2015). "Subhash K Jha speaks about Furious 7 (a.k.a The Fast & The Furious 7) in Hindi". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  41. ↑ "Check out: Ali Fazal in Furious 7". Bollywood Hungama. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  42. 1 2 "Ali Fazal’s ‘Cheers’ to release on Mother’s Day". The Times of India. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  43. ↑ "For Here Or To Go? - About this film". Indiegogo. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  44. 1 2 "‘For Here or To Go?’ Sparks U.S. Immigration Policy Dialogue". India West. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  45. 1 2 "'For Here or To Go?' was challenging for Ali Fazal". Mid Day. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  46. ↑ Das, Anirban (4 September 2015). "Ali Fazal delays Mahesh Bhupathi's film over date issues?". Mid Day. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  47. ↑ Bhatnagar, Rohit (26 September 2015). "Selfie moment for Ali Fazal on the sets of ‘Happy Bhaag Jayegi’". The Asian Age. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  48. ↑ "In conversation with the makers of web series ‘Bang Baaja Baaraat’". The Indian Express. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  49. 1 2 Dave, Kajol (17 June 2013). ""Farhan & Ritesh are the biggest Fukras" - Ali Fazal". Filmfare. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  50. 1 2 Razzaq, Sameena (20 August 2014). "Is Bobby Jasoos actor Ali Fazal secretly dating Delhi girl Anisha Gupta?". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  51. 1 2 "Salman Khan, Kajol Join the Fight Against Cancer". NDTV. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  52. ↑ Baksi, Dibyojyoti (29 January 2015). "On a promotion spree: Ali Fazal to be part of Furious 7 drag race". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  53. ↑ "Tochi Raina to raise funds for Nepal quake victims". The Indian Express. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  54. ↑ "Ali Fazal to attend Grand Prix to promote 'Furious 7'". Mid Day. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  55. ↑ "Celeb support for U.P. Government initiatives". The Times of India. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  56. 1 2 Unnikrishnan, Chaya (31 August 2015). "This Valentine's Day, I will be alone: Ali Fazal". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  57. ↑ "Ali Fazal and Rhea Chakraborty at media meet for 'Sonali Cable'". Mid Day. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  58. ↑ "Ali Fazal: I will not do multi-starrer films". The Times of India. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  59. ↑ Sharma, Priyanka (4 October 2014). "'Rose' is my most ambitious film: Ali Fazal". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  60. ↑ Dey, Simantini (17 October 2014). "Sonali Cable review: Rhea's annoyingly bubbly, Ali Fazal stuck playing arm candy". Firstpost. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  61. ↑ Maheshwri, Neha (22 April 2015). "Ali Fazal: Paul Walker asked me to keep it real". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  62. ↑ "Times Most Desirable Men 2014 - Results". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  63. ↑ Sundaresan, Satish (26 August 2015). "Ali Fazal to endorse RuPay?". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  64. ↑ Baksi, Dibyojyoti (14 December 2011). "3 Idiots' Joy Lobo turns negative". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  65. ↑ Shetty, Shubha (18 June 2011). "Always Kabhi Kabhi - Movie review". Mid Day. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  66. ↑ Dias, Noel Singh (19 October 2013). "Ali Fazal on Baat Ban Gayi". The Free Press Journal. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  67. ↑ Vijayakar, R.M. (11 July 2014). "Bobby Jasoos: It’s Cute, Serious and Comic but It’s No Thriller". India West. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  68. ↑ Dey, Simantini (17 October 2014). "Sonali Cable review: Rhea's annoyingly bubbly, Ali Fazal stuck playing arm candy". Firstpost. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  69. ↑ "Khamoshiyan to release on January 30". The Times of India. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  70. ↑ Newbould, Chris (31 May 2015). "From Bolly to Furious 7 – Ali Fazal’s life in the fast lane". The National. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  71. ↑ Altatis, Conviron (30 June 2015). "‘Furious 8’ Cast With Zhang Ziyi: Will It Break ‘Furious 7’ Box Office Record?". Yibada. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  72. ↑ Bhatnagar, Rohit (26 September 2015). "Selfie moment for Ali Fazal on the sets of ‘Happy Bhaag Jayegi’". The Asian Age. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  73. ↑ "Ali Fazal replaces Arjun Rampal in Soni Razdan’s ‘Love Affair’". The Indian Express. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  74. ↑ "Web series is a ‘different film’ for Ali Fazal". The Indian Express. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

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