Ali Fazal (born 15 October 1986[2]) is an Indian actor who works primarily in Hindi and English films and series. He made his screen debut with a small role in the English film The Other End of the Line (2008) before appearing in the American television miniseries Bollywood Hero (2009).[3] He had his first Hindi film release with a supporting role in 3 Idiots (2009), and went on to star in Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011), Baat Ban Gayi (2013), and Bobby Jasoos (2014).
Fazal appeared in a small role in the James Dodson-directed romantic comedy film The Other End of the Line (2008).[10] The film was a critical and commercial failure.[11][12] He next appeared in the American television miniseries Bollywood Hero (2009) where he portrayed the role of Monty Kapoor.[10] During his second year of college, Saeed Akhtar Mirza saw him in a play and picked him for the lead of erotic thriller Ek Tho Chance (2009), alongside Amrita Arora and Saurabh Shukla.[6] The film focused on the realities and comedies inherent in life in Mumbai. The film premiered at the 14th International Film Festival of Kerala.[13]
In 2011, Fazal was picked up by Shah Rukh Khan's production house, Red Chillies Entertainment for the Roshan Abbas–directed romance film Always Kabhi Kabhi.[17] Appearing opposite Giselli Monteiro, Fazal plays the role of Sameer Khanna and had to lose 15 kilos for the role.[15] The film received negative response from the critics and was a box-office failure.[18] While Komal Nahta of Koimoi said Fazal acted reasonably well,[19] Gaurav Malani from The Times of India picked him as best in the cast.[20] Later in an interview, Fazal said that doing the film was not a good decision.[21]
2013–present: Career progression
Fazal's first release in 2013 was in a coming-of-age comedy film Fukrey, in which he portrayed the role of Zafar, a struggling musician.[22] The film along with his performance received mixed responses from critics. Nishi Tiwari from Rediff.com said he wore a "dazed expression" throughout the film,[23] and Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV felt his role was "underwritten".[24]
The same year, Fazal appeared in the romantic comedy film Baat Bann Gayi, which was considered a parody of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors.[7] He portrayed the dual roles of Kabir, a successful novelist from Singapore, and Rasiya Bihari, a local don.[25] The film met with negative reactions from critics and failed at the box office, though Fazal was praised for his acting.[18] Faheem Ruhani from India Today considered him an upcoming talent to "watch out for",[26] while The Times of India affirmed he is "standing out" from the cast.[27]
In 2014, Fazal appeared in a supporting role opposite Vidya Balan in the comedy-drama Bobby Jasoos. Initially, Fazal refused the role since he felt he had "nothing much to do in it", but later agreed because of the "unusual romance" between him and Balan.[28] 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": "Although pitted against a powerhouse performer like Vidya, Ali makes his presence felt with a wonderful performance".[29]
The same year he appeared in the 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.[30] His acting received mixed response from critics, where many criticised him for "recent stereotyped roles".[31] 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",[32] though Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India felt he was "likeable in his character".[33] Both films received mixed to negative response from critics and were declared to be box office flops.[18]
Fazal next took the lead role in the psychological horror thriller Khamoshiyan (2015).[34] He portrayed the role of Kabir, an alcoholic novelist, whose failed career and relationship forced him to move to Kashmir in search of an inspirational story. The film was a critical failure, though Fazal's performance was well received. Bollywood Hungama said: "He has a wide range of emotions that effortlessly inhabit his face".[35]The Hindu critic Arjun Kumar described him as a "natural performer with effective screen presence".[36] Reportedly, Fazal was offered a role in the American political thriller television series Homeland, but he had to reject the offer since he had already commenced shooting for Khamoshiyan and ultimately the role went to Nimrat Kaur.[37][38]
Fazal made his Hollywood film debut with a special appearance in the action film Furious 7, the seventh instalment in The Fast and the Furious film series.[39] In the film review, The Hindu wrote: "Ali Fazal turns up in a fleeting cameo and before we could breathe in his presence he is ejected out of the scenery".[40] Fazal said that he had only three scenes, but Subhash K. Jha from Bollywood Hungama considered those scenes "delightful". But it must be considered as a part of the story in furious as the friend of Ramsey.[41][42]
Fazal was next seen in an Indo-American film, For Here Or To Go? which revolves around two Indian immigrants who find it difficult to build a successful life away from home. The film was played at many international film festivals.[43] That same year, Fazal played the leading role in the Yash Raj Films youth studio Y-Films web series Bang Baaja Baaraat.[44]
In 2017, Fazal appeared in the sequel Fukrey Returns. He also starred in the British-American film Victoria & Abdul, which depicts the relationship of Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) and her confidant, Indian servant Abdul Karim.
In 2018, he appeared in the spin-off Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi and played Guddu Pandit in the web series Mirzapur.
In 2019, he was cast in Milan Talkies, Prassthanam, and Netflix film House Arrest.
In 2020 he continued his role of Guddu Pandit in Mirzapur season 2. He has also been cast in the film Death on the Nile as Andrew Katchadouriaan, a film based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.
In 2021 he turned producer. He started his own film production company named Pushing Buttons Studios with Richa Chadha.[49][50]
Personal life
A practising Muslim, Fazal performed the Umrah pilgrimage in January 2022. He shared his journey to Mecca and Medina on Instagram.[51]
Fazal had been in a relationship with Richa Chadha, though their marriage plans had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[52] On 23 September 2022, he and Chadha announced their impending marriage and said that the ceremony would be eco-friendly.[53] On 4 October 2022, they married in a ceremony in Lucknow.[54] The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on 16 July 2024.The couple announced that they have named their daughter Zuneyra Ida Fazal.[55]
On 17 June 2020, Fazal's mother died[56] due to health complications in Lucknow. Ali Fazal's grandfather died on Saturday 24 April 2021.[57]
In February 2015, Fazal joined a Cancerthon organised by NDTV and Fortis to create awareness about cancer and raise funds for children battling the disease. He has though now[when?] left the work.[58] Along with Tochi Raina, Fazal participated in a musical concert to raise funds for victims of the earthquake in Nepal.[59] In 2014, Fazal made an entry in The Times of India's listing of the "Most Desirable Man".[60] In 2019 Power Brands honoured Fazal with “Power Brand: Industry Trendsetter” at BFJA (Bollywood Film Journalist's Awards).[61]
Akshaye Khanna is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Hindi films. Khanna is known for his versatility and is a recipient of numerous accolades including two Filmfare Awards.
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Pulkit Samrat is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi films along with Hindi television. Best known for playing "Hunny" in the Fukrey film series, Samrat made his acting debut with the series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2006) and made his film debut with Bittoo Boss (2012). He is a recipient of an Indian Telly Award.
Jeet Gannguli, is an Indian music composer and playback singer who works in Hindi and Bengali cinema.
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Manjot Singh is an Indian Bollywood actor, best known for his role in films like Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Student Of The Year and Fukrey. He won Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for his performance in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!.
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Always Kabhi Kabhi is a 2011 Indian romantic comedy film directed by Roshan Abbas and produced by Shah Rukh Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment. It stars Ali Fazal, Giselli Monteiro, Harsh Nagar, Zoa Morani, and Satyajeet Dubey with Satish Shah, Lilette Dubey, Vijay Raaz, Mukesh Tiwari, and Manoj Joshi playing supporting roles. It focuses on four teenagers embarking on a dramatic journey during their incident-packed final year at school.
Parineeti Chopra is an Indian actress and singer who primarily works in Hindi films. Chopra is a recipient of several accolades, including a Filmfare and a National Film Award. Chopra has appeared in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list since 2013.
Gulshan Devaiah is an Indian actor who primarily appears in Hindi films. He is known for his roles in Shaitan, Hate Story and Hunterrr. His performance in Shaitan was critically praised and earned him a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
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Fukrey (transl. Slackers) is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language comedy thriller film, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, and starring Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Priya Anand, Vishakha Singh, Pankaj Tripathi and Richa Chadda. The story and dialogues are written by Vipul Vig and the screenplay is written by Vig and Lamba. Produced under the Excel Entertainment banner, the film was released on 14 June 2013. Despite a poor opening, the film went on to become a sleeper hit. Its first installment in Fukrey franchise.
Khamoshiyan (transl. Silences) is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language romantic thriller horror film, written by Vikram Bhatt and directed by debutant, Karan Darra. Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt produced the film in association with Vishesh Films.
Happy Bhag Jayegi is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film, written and directed by Mudassar Aziz, and produced by Aanand L. Rai and Krishika Lulla. It stars Diana Penty as the eponymous character; a free-spirited bride-to-be from Amritsar who runs away from her wedding ceremony and inadvertently arrives in Lahore, Pakistan. The production features an ensemble cast consisting of Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Sheirgill, Ali Fazal, and Momal Sheikh.
Fukrey Returns is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. It is a sequel to the 2013 film Fukrey. The film stars Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Priya Anand, Vishakha Singh, Pankaj Tripathi, Rajiv Gupta, and Richa Chadda. Fukrey Returns was released on 8 December 2017.
"Baatein Yeh Kabhi Na" is a song from Khamoshiyan, a 2015 Indian romantic horror film. The male version of this song was sung by Arijit Singh and the female version of this song by Palak Muchhal. It was composed by Jeet Gannguli with lyrics penned by Sayeed Quadri.
Fukrey 3 is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under the banner of Excel Entertainment. The film is the third installment of the Fukrey franchise and the sequel to Fukrey Returns (2017). It stars an ensemble cast of Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh, Richa Chadha, and Pankaj Tripathi.
Fukrey is a series of Indian Hindi-language comedy thriller films. All films are produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under the banner of Excel Entertainment and directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. and distributed by AA Films.
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