Upala KBR (DNA; October 15, 2014)

Ali Fazal has decided to stay away from women-centric films after two heroine centric films — his last release Bobby Jasoos (with Vidya Balan) and his next release (Sonali Cable). The actor has earlier acted in films like 3 Idiots, Fukrey, Murder 3 and Always Kabhi Kabhi.

Post Sonali Cable, Ali has signed two dark and edgy thrillers and one a comedy. After doing women-oriented films, he doesn’t want to take on more of such films as he is beginning to feel typecast. He has turned down a few films which had a woman as the protagonist. Currently, he is shooting for Mukesh Bhatt’s Khamoshiyan after which he begins Shagufta Rafique’s Nark - To Hell And Back. Shagufta’s film is a dark love story and Ali’s first film as a solo lead. His third film is Vishwaas Paandya’s black comedy Baa Baa Black Sheep. It also stars Anupam Kher and Annu Kapoor.”

Ali confirms, “I love women — who doesn’t? But yes, I am avoiding women-oriented films now for the time being. Even during Bobby Jasoos, I had some apprehensions before I signed the film. I am very harsh about what I require from a film — what the script gives me and what I have to do. Maybe subconsciously, I chose my next three films which were male-centric, but I think now it’s a more conscious decsion to stay away from women-centric films. People keep asking me if I am playing second fiddle to women and I am feeling comfortable about it. Audience are getting the impression that I am doing supporting roles.”

Ali says that he loved the scripts of Khamoshiyan and Nark - To Hell And Back because of the dark and edgy feel that his characters have. “In Khamoshiyan, I play a romace writer who has grey shades. It’s a psycho-thriller and is about his journey from a narcissist-obsessive character who consciously tries to fight the grey elements in persona and emerge a better man. Nark is a dark love story and the scary bits about the story is what attracted me to the film. But I am most excited about Baa Baa Black Sheep as it’s a madcap fun film. I needed to do something completely different after these dark and brooding roles.”

The actor chooses his roles according to the production company and the script. “Though I am instinctive about selecting my roles, roles ke mamle mein, main chor bhi hoon (laughs)! I keep picking people’s brains of stars like Shah Rukh bhai (he had produced Always Kabhi Kabhi) and Aamir Khan (worked with him in 3 Idiots). Everyone wants to be part of a decent production house who will promote their films well and take it to the audience.”