Actor Ali Fazal, who will work with British actor Dame Judi Dench in Stephen Frears’ next movie, was so stunned by the offer, that he asked the producer to repeat herself thrice when she called to give the news.
“I was sitting in a restaurant when I saw a UK number flash on my phone. I went to the loo because I couldn’t find any other quiet place. It was the producer and she told me that I have been selected for the film. I made the producer say it thrice. I was so ecstatic about it and got a kick every time she said it,” says Fazal.
The film is based on author Shrabani Basu’s book Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closet Confidant.
The 29-year-old actor touched Dench’s feet when he met her.
“When I was entering the hall, I saw Judi from the window. I went inside, touched her feet and kissed her hand.”
Ali Fazal says though he is a fan, but is not nervous about working with the veteran actor. “Acting is one place where I am not nervous. Once the camera is on, it is all about getting it right. It’s not mine or her movie; it’s the whole teams. The whole atmosphere needs to be right and I will aim at doing it in the right way.”
Shooting starts in September in Delhi and Agra.
COURTESY HINDUSTAN TIMES
