Showing posts with label Death On The Nile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death On The Nile. Show all posts
I do feel that I might have to work twice as hard to be seen-Ali Fazal
8:07 AM
Being an outsider, the actor says he has to go out of his way to promote his international films in India
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 1, 2023)
From playing the lead opposite actor Judi Dench in Victoria & Abdul (2017) to starring in the Fast & Furious franchise, actor Ali Fazal has made a mark for himself in international cinema. Recently, after his appearance in the Gerard Butler-starrer Kandahar, Fazal’s wife, actor Richa Chadha, penned an appreciation post for his performance and said, “Do I think he would be celebrated more if he was not an outsider? Absolutely!”
Ask if he echoes the sentiment and Fazal says, “Yes, sometimes I do feel that I might have to work twice as hard to be seen here [in India]. When I have to promote my international projects here, I have to go out of my way and hope that someone supports me. The last time I experienced this was while promoting Death On The Nile (2022).”
The 36-year-old admits that not being noticed enough as an outsider “used to affect” him, but not anymore. He adds, “At the time of Victoria & Abdul, I had no money to spend on PR, as it was expensive. I was at the mercy of the film studio. We’d not had an Indian actor play the lead role in a Hollywood film in a long time, so it was definitely a big deal. Last time, it was (late actor) Shashi Kapoor sahab in Shakespeare Wallah (1965). But since I couldn’t afford a PR, it acted as a reminder for me. Tab mujhe laga, agar mere paas paisa hota, toh I would have killed it [by doing proper PR for myself].”
The actor says he doesn’t believe in asking for favours. “We all have pride. So, I will never say, ‘Sir, ek tweet kar do’. I respect people who reach out and appreciate my work. Thankfully, there are some good people in the industry,” he ends.
Ali Fazal drops out of Fukrey 3 due to date clash with Vishal Bhardwaj's Khufiya?
7:54 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 4, 2022)
Fukrey is special to Ali Fazal for several reasons. While the comedy marked one of his first hits, it was on the film’s set that he had first met his now-fiancee Richa Chadha. Surely then, dropping out of the third instalment of Fukrey must be a tough decision for Fazal. Sources say that the actor, who is shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Khufiya, is hard-pressed for time and has no option but to let go of Mrigdeep Singh Lamba’s directorial venture, which will go on floors next week.
The makers’ plans to kickstart the comedy — first in March 2020, then in February 2021 — were disrupted twice over by the pandemic. A source reveals, “Ali was busy till early February with the shoot of Kandahar, and promotions of Death On The Nile. Keeping his commitments in mind, Vishal sir lined up Khufiya for February. Meanwhile, Mrigdeep Singh Lamba got the combination dates of Richa, Pankaj Tripathi, Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat and Manjot Singh, and is eager to roll Fukrey 3. It’s an unfortunate turn of events, but Ali won’t be a part of it as he is busy with the thriller till March-end.”
We hear another actor won’t be roped in to play his character of Zafar. “The story will be tweaked to justify Ali’s absence. He won’t be replaced,” adds the source.
(Crisp) Movie Review: DEATH ON THE NILE by FENIL SETA
2:44 PM
Death On The Nile is a well-executed and well-shot murder mystery. As the name suggests, the action takes place in Egypt and that gives a nice touch to the narrative. The plot unravels slowly but keeps one engaged. A few developments are difficult to digest. Also, the tracks of most of the side characters are hardly exciting. The ending was unpredictable for me but some might be able to guess the identity of the murderer from a mile away. Speaking of performances, Gal Gadot, as expected, looks like a million dollars and does a great job. With so many actors in the cast, her screen time is a bit limited though. Kenneth Branagh is entertaining as the detective. Tom Bateman yet again puts up a confident act. Emma Mackey rocks the show. Ali Fazal has a significant role but is too uptight for some reason. Armie Hammer looks dashing and delivers a decent performance. Others who do well are Annette Bening (Euphemia), Letitia Wright (Rosalie) and Sophie Okonedo (Salome Otterbourne). All in all, Death On The Nile is a fine whodunit. You'll enjoy it, especially if you don't guess the suspense beforehand.
My rating - *** out of 5!
Somebody had to go out there and land these parts; that’s how we will get better stories out there-Ali Fazal
8:10 AM
As his murder mystery Death On The Nile hits screens, Ali Fazal discusses his role in paving the way for more South Asian actors to find a footing in the West
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 11, 2022)
It could be deemed a special week for Indian artistes. After the documentary Writing with Fire was nominated for the Oscars, Ali Fazal’s international project Death On The Nile releases today. When we connect with him shortly after the film’s London premiere, we obviously begin our chat with the long wait to the marquee. The release of the Agatha Christie adaptation, shot in late 2019, was held off due to the pandemic.
“When you wait so long, you get worried if people don’t like the film. I have watched the film at the premiere; my biggest takeaway is that it’s shot on a film camera, and is a spectacle. Kenneth [Branagh, actor-director] has managed to create the 1930s in an interesting way. My part was tailor-made. My character Uncle Andrew has been made younger; now, I play cousin to Gal Gadot’s Lynette. The plot is 80 years old, so Agatha fans know how it ends. That said, I hope they still enjoy how it unravels,” says Fazal.
As an ardent Agatha Christie fan, this is a special film for him. It’s also his widest release till date, the actor says, almost with a hint of disbelief. “We are releasing a record number of screens. 3300 in the US. Some 10,000 screens in China. More in Europe and Australia.”
The London premiere was extra special for the team, says Fazal. The team partied at the Egypt section of the British Museum, catching up with each other. “It was really posh, may I say. Some of our key cast couldn’t make it due to prior commitments, but for all of us who were there, we really had a swell time. We were chatting about scripts, stories and Oscar nominations. And just the next morning, Kenneth’s Belfast has 6 nominations. We were all so excited for him and it’s a great time for him to return with a bang! We got all sorts of reactions after the premiere. I got a lot of reactions from Academy members and people very sweetly texted. We are expecting all sorts of reactions.”
The mystery thriller boasts a diverse cast, consisting of Branagh, Gadot, Fazal, Russell Brand and Letitia Wright, among others. It speaks volumes about Hollywood’s endeavour to become inclusive. How does he perceive his role in paving the way for more south Asian actors to get leading parts in international movies? “For the longest time, I did not pay attention to my own work, instead humbling my way through it. But I’m glad I am a part of this door opening for the rest of the clan. Somebody had to go out there and land these parts. It is important that we all champion each other. I would be happy if five other Indians bag five more leading parts. That’s how we will get better stories out there. These are the few genres like whodunits and superhero films that commit to a geography. In this film, I play an English man. We aren’t preaching our ethnicity; we are blending into the narrative.”
Over the years, Fazal has managed to balance his Bollywood and international commitments –where there’s Kandahar with Gerard Butler, there’s also Vishal Bhardwaj’s Khufiya and the next season of Mirzapur on home turf. “It really matters the kind of filmmakers you work with. For instance, Kandahar is helmed by Rick Roman Waugh who is known for his large scale films. He is all heart. He understands action so well. This movie is a global story. You know Kandahar from the name and with all the turmoil that the country is going through, it’s not one of those run-of-the-mill Uncle Sam saves the day kinda movies. I am so proud of it. Of course, it’s an action film that has all the adrenaline for the junkies but it has a strong narrative. I think with each story something shifts inside me. I see so much I want to tell as an actor. Time becomes a fight sometimes. When you have one in the West, you lose some work at home. But I want to balance this right. Humare ghar ki kitni kahaniya sunani hai. We are going through so much as a nation and as an artiste, I want to tell stories at a time like this. This tryst is what holds me back from pursuing Hollywood alone. There is a desire to do more and better. I am so excited to work with Vishal-ji again next week. They were really sweet to wait for Kandahar to get over. Vishal-ji is one director who pushed me out of my comfort zone. I like to be challenged, otherwise what’s predictable is also just as boring.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 712
3:33 PM
THE DRY SEASON ENDS IN BOLLYWOOD TOMORROW
The dry season in Bollywood is about to end tomorrow. New films would once again start releasing after a lull of more than a month. Though one doesn't expect these films to work big time, the exhibitors and industry are happy that at least a start has been made.
The biggest film to release is Badhaai Do. It stars Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar and is directed by Harshvardhan Kulkarni of Hunterrr fame. The film tells an interesting story of a gay and a lesbian tying the knot to silence their respective families who have been pressurizing them for marriage. Though the premise looks promising, the buzz is very limited. Moreover, such topics rarely get acceptance from mainstream audiences. A recent example is Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. That film had a bigger actor like Ayushmann Khurrana and seemed far more entertaining than Badhaai Do. Yet, it opened at just Rs. 3.25 crore. Badhaai Do, hence, might have a lesser opening, anywhere between Rs. 1-2 crore. If the word of mouth is positive, it can hopefully grow well over the weekend.
The other release of the week is Khiladi, a Telugu film which has been dubbed in Hindi, starring Ravi Teja. The film is getting a wide release as the makers are hoping it can repeat the success of Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01. However, the awareness is just not there. Interestingly, Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01 opened at just Rs. 3.30 crore and then grew dramatically. But even this film had some sort of hype. Khiladi, meanwhile, is an unknown film for many. Its opening might be in the Rs. 1-2 crore range as well. In mass centres, it might open better than Badhaai Do.
Finally, there are 3 Hollywood films which will be released tomorrow – Death On The Nile, Moonfall and Marry Me. Death On The Nile seems the most exciting as it’s a murder mystery and the second part after the successful film, Murder On The Orient Express. The film stars Gal Gadot and that has enhanced the excitement. Moreover, it also stars Indian actor Ali Fazal in a crucial role. It can work and sustain in cinemas for several weeks if the reports are encouraging.
On the other hand, on digital, Gehraiyaan is up for release on Amazon Prime at 10:00 pm tonight. It stars Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday. It is directed by Shakun Batra and its bold and hot trailer has made it a trending topic. The film looks like an international product, technically and visually, and can emerge as one of the most successful Hindi films online if made well.
The turf has got bigger and there is a lot more to give than we were led on to believe from our side-Ali Fazal
8:20 AM
Ali Fazal talks about finding the right foothold in Hollywood; says the turf has got bigger
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 28, 2022)
Professionally, 2021 was interesting for actor Ali Fazal, as he bagged some exciting projects in “Hindi and Hollywood films”.
“Getting to work with (filmmaker) Vishal Bhardwaj is every actor’s dream and then sharing screen notes in Kandhar with (actor) Gerard Butler was fun. I think the turf has got bigger and there is a lot more to give than we were led on to believe from our side,” he shares, as he awaits the release of his next, co-starring actor Gal Gadot.
Personally, it was the other end of the spectrum for him “with losses” in his family. “I guess every family suffered during the second wave, and honestly, my heart goes out to everyone. We have a culture of ‘forget it and move on’, par wahi nahin ho pa raha hai. Maybe, as artistes, we are empaths and sometimes all that happened feels like a dream, as everyone seems to have moved on while others deal with their losses,” he elaborates.
Looking forward to this year, Fazal and his girlfriend, actor Richa Chadha’s first production, Girls Will Be Girls has recently received funding under the Aid aux cinemas du monde, a grant handed out by France’s Centre National du Cinema and Institut Francais. “Richa and I are excited about this and with the grant, we are taking baby steps. Experimentation on all kinds of mediums is our goal,” the actor says.
In a recent interview, talking about her career in Hollywood, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas had said that South Asian actors have to fight harder to get better roles in Hollywood. How has Fazal’s journey been over the last few years of working in the West? “It’s been a journey of finding the right foothold. You got to throw yourself in the right pit. At times, projects are specific, like I can’t possibly start shooting for Mission Impossible franchise, as it is a Tom Cruise (actor) film. But with a film like Death On The Nile, the studio decided on a blind casting. Earlier, my character was played by George Kennedy (actor) and the character was older, so the age was reduced. The colour didn’t bother anyone, so all these changes were exciting. Weirdly, the world is uniting and yet it is not. So, we have to slot ourselves to make headway,” he signs off.
Russell Brand kept me sane during the lockdown last year-Ali Fazal
8:11 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 9, 2021)
Talking about his other co-stars in the film, Ali shares, “Gal is wonderful to work with, and I had met Armie before. Yes, I had to work on my British accent for the film, but that is not something I want to boast about. An actor has to do whatever it takes to get into his character. It’s expected of us.”
Recalling an interesting incident during the shoot, he says, “Working on this film felt like a party, but no one ever lost focus. Ken (director Kenneth Branagh) made sure we got along well and got to know each other. For the shoot, we were on our way to the cruise in a small boat. It was a 20-minute journey, and on the way, he made these chits. And we played a quiz, which helped us to get to know each other. That was such a nice gesture.”
I have fair share of hand combat sequences in Codename: Johnny Walker-Ali Fazal
8:11 AM
Fresh set of restrictions in UK have delayed Codename: Johnny Walker shoot, but hasn't dampened spirit of Ali, who has begun prepping for his next global gig
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 2, 2021)
He may have had a laboured entry into showbiz, but Ali Fazal seems to have only gone from strength to strength in the last few years. While his act as the menacing gangster in Mirzapur has established him as a bankable actor among desi filmmakers, Fazal is rubbing shoulders with the finest in Hollywood too.
It doesn't matter that his upcoming film with Russell Brand and Gal Gadot has been delayed due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Fazal says while the movie was to release during Christmas, he now finds himself "among great company". "James Bond has been deferred, and so has Black Widow. We are now eyeing a September release, which is the hot season for big films," says Fazal of Death On The Nile, the mystery thriller helmed by Kenneth Branagh. "The team is confident of the movie. We have shot it on film. It is apt for the 70-mm experience."
Meanwhile, Fazal is training his eyes on his third international outing, Codename: Johnny Walker, which sees him in the title role made popular by the eponymous New York Times bestseller. While filming was to take place in Los Angeles, it has been deferred until principle cast-members are able to leave the UK, which is currently under lockdown. "I had two projects that were to start in January and February respectively. But, United Kingdom is in lockdown again, and some of our cast members, including those who featured in Game Of Thrones, reside there. Filming this movie will demand a bio-bubble. Our locations are not restricted to USA, or the UK alone, since it is based [on the] Iraq War. Locales will need to be zeroed in on with precision. The project has been pushed to the end of the year. We should be able to roll in September."
Based on Johnny Walker, the interpreter for the US Navy Seals on missions across Iraq, the film will involve a great deal of hand combat sequences. "I will require a lot of physical training. For now, I am prepping on my own. Once we get closer to production, I will work with [professional] teams. I will also have to be fluent in four languages. In Death On The Nile, I play a Britisher. So, this part will be in stark contrast to that. It is exciting."
Many told me to focus on films and not take up work on the web, but I refused-Ali Fazal
8:02 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 30, 2020)
He may not have had any film releases this year, but actor Ali Fazal had a great year nonetheless as he returned as Guddu Pandit in the second season of web series, Mirzapur. “I never expected this to become so huge. But at that time we were very few shows down in the world of OTT,” he says about exploring digital space.
Fazal admits that initially, he was dissuaded to take up projects on the web. “I remember a lot of people telling me to focus on movies. I used to tell them that my heart is in it and I would like to experiment with it and I think I can pull it off,” the 34-year-old adds.
The actor is grateful to have received so much appreciation for reprising the role because not many would have expected him to pull off this character. “I can understand, if I were a producer, I would think twice before casting Ali Fazal in this role because images play a huge part. Your last image is a big player in your next portrayal. But Mirzapur 2 and the Death On The Nile (upcoming international film) are very different from anything I’ve portrayed/been a part of,” he says.
Before the digital boom, there was a perception that actors opting for the medium weren’t getting films and Fazal had that fear himself.
“It is the social conditioning that we have. I was like will I get typecast? Will people think I don’t have films? But you have to understand that the world got bigger. Suddenly, we are competing at the same level as any other international show,” he says.
Fazal adds the audience gave him confidence that “at the end of the day, we are storytellers”. But he hopes things would pick up for cinemas as well because “we love the flavour of 70 mm”.
I wasn’t bogged down by the barriers in Hollywood or here-Ali Fazal
7:52 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; November 23, 2020)
Besides making a mark in Bollywood, Ali Fazal is one of those actors from Indian shores who have made headway in Hollywood with prominent roles in films like Victoria & Abdul (2017) and Death On The Nile (yet-to-release). The actor recently spoke to Bombay Times about diversity and inclusion in Hollywood, and also reflected on the challenges he faced in establishing himself as an actor in India and the West.
“When I was starting out, I was unaware of the industry norms. I was studying economics and doing theatre. I always knew there’s more to life, so I wasn’t bogged down by the barriers that came with growth, the trials and tribulations of being an actor. I was interested in everything. And it was the same with Hollywood. Indians have mostly played Middle Eastern roles in the West, but even in that, I tried to break stereotypes. So what if the character was a Sultan (his Hollywood appearance in Fast & Furious 7), he wasn’t dressed in those princely robes. It’s the 21st century, so you bring in your own understanding of it,” Ali said.
Talking about how he viewed the roadblocks he faced, the actor shared, “The challenges have been building blocks, perhaps a tad more democratic in the West, but they have always existed. I have known colleagues, especially in the West, who have faced a lot of stereotypes, too. It’s always good to retain your identity and culture and merge it with wherever you are. As long as you are confident of your culture, it’s just a part you are playing. As actors, we are supposed to be moulded.”
I don’t believe in banging drums all across about my work-Ali Fazal
8:07 AM
The actor is happy with whatever recognition he has received in India, says that he can’t force people here to appreciate him for his international laurels
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 9, 2020)
He’s among those few actors from Bollywood who’s consistently doing noteworthy work in Hollywood, and Ali Fazal is quite content with how his career is shaping up in both the Hindi film industry as well as the West.
Asked if the thought ever crosses his mind that he remains less celebrated in Bollywood and Fazal says, “That’s fine. We’ll come around that. We’re artistes at the end of the day. I’ll not stop doing the work.”
The actor, who’ll be seen in Kenneth Branagh’s Death On The Nile, cites the example of late actor Irrfan, who juggled Bollywood and Hollywood projects. Calling the late actor an inspiration, Fazal says, “Irrfan bhai never pito-ed dhindhora about his work. His Hollywood film Puzzle (2018) is so good. And even I had the same question that why don’t people talk about his work more.”
But Fazal, 34, isn’t one to dwell on the negatives, and is looking forward to breaking the boundaries with each of his roles in Hollywood projects. “Yahaan par we celebrate all my other work and that’s beautiful for me. I think we don’t realise that the world on the other side is very different and I don’t believe in banging drums all across about my work,” he reasons.
The actor has faith in the audience and hopes that they’ll see the hard work that he has been putting into his craft. “My film Victoria & Abdul (2017; with Judi Dench) was nominated at the Oscars and the BAFTAS and I got to hang out with Gary Oldman and likes. I can’t come back to India and say, ‘please appreciate me’,” he says.
Fazal notes that whatever may be the case back home, nothing can take away the fact that Indian actors are breaking boundaries internationally. “Right now, I’m at a stage where blind casting happens for me. We’ve always been typecast in roles for Indians. In Death On The Nile, my origin isn’t defined. I’m totally British in that. That’s the beauty of this world. We get to tell stories and dissolve ourselves in that,” concludes the actor.
I had learnt to ignore and move on until Richa Chadha pointed out that some things are not acceptable-Ali Fazal
8:46 AM
As he looks forward to the October release of Mirzapur and Death On The Nile, Ali Fazal expresses disappointment over the "blink-and-miss appearance" comment following the Hollywood film's trailer launch
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 28, 2020)
Days after the trailer of Death on the Nile dropped online, Ali Fazal announced the release date of the Amazon Prime series, Mirzapur 2. It's a happy coincidence that his two cherished projects will release on the same day — October 23. "I am happy that the world will see two different cinematic experiences in the same year. Considering Death On The Nile will be one of the first movies to release worldwide in theatres, it will be a refreshing change for the audience," says Fazal, who is keeping his fingers crossed for the theatrical run of the Kenneth Branagh-directed venture in India.
The actor has kicked off the virtual promotions with co-stars Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, and Branagh. "I hope we soon reach a point when we can sit with each other and promote it together."
The past week, despite bringing him good news from two different parts of the world, hasn't been kind to Fazal. A section of netizens called for a ban on the sophomore season of Mirzapur after an old video of the actor participating in an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) march in the UK went viral. Almost simultaneously, his screen time in the international movie became a subject of scrutiny on social media, with a report describing it as a 'blink-and-miss appearance'. At a time when the insider-versus-outsider debate is raging on, fiancée Richa Chadha pointed out how a section of media — instead of praising an actor's efforts to break into the international circuit — plays a role in discrediting his achievements.
"I had learnt to ignore and move on until Richa pointed out that some things are not acceptable. There is no need to pull your own people down. I have conditioned myself to not let social media affect me much. We live in a world where bots manage to sway trends, so it is hard to sift the real from the fake. But I am hopeful that we will come out of this age of information overload and find our bearings," says Fazal.
Ali Fazal's Hollywood flick Death On The Nile to be the first movie to hit Indian screens?
8:26 AM
With exhibitors considering running past blockbusters when theatres reopen, sources say Death On The Nile to be the first movie to hit Indian screens
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 20, 2020)
Cinemas are likely to reopen in the coming weeks as part of the phased unlocking of the country. While exhibitors and producers are considering re-releasing past blockbusters in the first few weeks to build the theatre-going practice among viewers, Ali Fazal's Hollywood outing Death On The Nile may be the first major film to release in India. The Kenneth Branagh-directed venture is slated to open on October 23.
A source tells mid-day, "To resuscitate the theatre business that has suffered losses due to the Coronavirus lockdown, releasing highly anticipated movies is the need of the hour. While Christopher Nolan's Tenet was scheduled to hit screens on August 12, it has now been pushed to next year. Undeterred by the current crisis, the studio is readying for a worldwide release of Death On The Nile. The promotional activities are being worked upon and will kick off soon." Fazal had shot for the Gal Gadot-led murder mystery, based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name, over a three-month schedule in the UK last year.
It may be noted that Bollywood biggies Sooryavanshi and '83 have sealed a date with the audience on Diwali and Christmas respectively.
Disney India remained unavailable for comment.
I have come back with a greater understanding of an actor's job-Ali Fazal
8:26 AM
Having wrapped up the shoot of Gal Gadot starrer Death on the Nile, Ali Fazal on how filming the Hollywood project has been a learning experience for him
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 5, 2020)
It couldn't have been a better start to the year for Ali Fazal — he spent the last two months shooting for Death On The Nile that also features Wonder woman (2017) star Gal Gadot. The actor, who recently returned to the bay, admits that facing the camera for the seasoned actor-director, Kenneth Branagh, has been a "learning experience"."When you shoot with people are who are masters of their craft, you end up learning a great deal. I have come back with a greater understanding of an actor's job. In this day and age, actors need to expand their skill sets. I aspire to work on different platforms and in different countries, regardless of the language. I want to seek parts and not projects; that's my blueprint going forward," says the actor, who is rumoured to have bagged another international project based on the Iraq War.
The latest screen adaptation of the Agatha Christie story boasts a glorious ensemble cast that includes Armie Hammer and Annette Bening, among others. Ask him about holding his own in front of reputed Hollywood stars, and he quips, "We were a diverse group who were making valuable contributions [to the final product]; it almost felt like the Olympics."
On home ground, rumours suggest Fazal will rub shoulders with Deepika Padukone and Rishi Kapoor in The Intern. He remains tight-lipped on the film, only willing to say, "I am taking my time to [find] projects that I truly want to be a part of. Amazon [Prime] has also announced that the second season of Mirzapur will arrive this year."
Ali Fazal and Gal Gadot to unite on September 30 in London for Death On The Nile
7:59 AM
The co-stars are uniting on September 30 to kick off new retelling of Death On The Nile, which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 28, 2019)
After sharing screen space with Academy Award winning veteran actress Judi Dench in the 2017 biographical comedy-drama Victoria & Abdul, Ali Fazal is gearing up for his next Hollywood outing. Also featuring Wonder Woman breakout star Gal Gadot, the film is a modern-day adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile and will be directed by another British heavyweight, Kenneth Branagh, who has earlier helmed the Chris Hemsworth starrer Thor and Murder On The Orient Express, featuring Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.A source close to the project informs Mirror that Ali will start filming for the project on September 30 in the Queen’s City. “Ali left for London last week and has been prepping for his part with the rest of the actors ever since. The film will be shot across the United Kingdom and Ali will be there for around two months before returning to Mumbai,” the source adds.
Death on the Nile was previously adapted for the screen in 1978 with Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow and Bette Davis, among others, and won the Oscar for Best Costume Design at the 51st edition of the award ceremony. When Mirror reached out to Ali, the actor said, “I’ve read the novel and had watched the earlier adaptation a long time ago. It was a great ensemble and now we are revisiting that great masterpiece. I feel blessed because it’s in Sir Kenneth Branagh’s hands. Also, for me the most essential prep is to get to know my costumes and look, once that part is sorted, everything else will follow. I have been focussing solely on that for the past one week.”
The film, which also features Call Me By Your Name actor Armie Hammer, is part of a series which earlier saw the highly successful Murder on the Orient Express. “Since I don’t play an Indian in the film, there is a dialect teacher on the set to train me and a bunch of others. I cannot reveal just yet what kind of accents we’re doing. All I can say is that I’m excited as there is a lot to look forward to and some big shoes to fill in. We’ve got an amazing cast,” Ali signs off.
I want to change cliches about Indian actors in the West-Ali Fazal
8:13 AM
With the lead role opposite Gal Gadot in Death On The Nile under his belt, Ali Fazal shares his Hollywood dreams
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 23, 2019)
"I did a look test for the film a year ago," begins Ali Fazal, when he connects with us over a phone call from London. B-Town was taken by surprise last week when it was announced that the actor has been chosen to play the parallel lead opposite Wonder Woman (2017) star Gal Gadot in Kenneth Branagh's Death On The Nile. "It was finally earlier this year that Kenneth told me that he wanted me to be part of it. When we met for costume trials, I knew I wanted to do this film." Branagh, who helmed The Murder On The Orient Express (2017), has put together an equally impressive cast — that includes Armie Hammer, Annette Bening and Letitia Wright — for the adaptation of the Agatha Christie book. The actor's excitement about meeting Gadot is understandable. "Gal is sensational. I am yet to meet her; she joins us next week."With Indian actors frequently earning a place in Hollywood projects, the stereotype around them is fast fading. "The ethnicity of my character is not key to the plot here. The guy could pass off as a man of Indian origin, but that's not instrumental to the events. The language is a challenge here, but only as much as it is in, say Mirzapur, where the diction is key to the plot. I am hell-bent on changing the clichés of what an Indian actor in the West should be like."
Crediting Victoria & Abdul (2017) for altering his career trajectory, Fazal hopes to strike the right balance between Bollywood and Hollywood commitments hereon. "The shoot of Bhoot Police had to be shifted because of this film. Juggling projects takes a toll, but I am not complaining. [The two worlds] can co-exist. I don't have to shift to Los Angeles to be in Hollywood. I can live in India, and fly in and out for shoots. I want to create a difference [with my films]."
Ali Fazal and Gal Gadot in Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile adaptation
8:07 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 12, 2019)
After working with Dame Judi Dench in Victoria & Abdul, Ali Fazal has bagged another biggie. The actor will be seen in the film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1937 detective fiction novel, Death On The Nile, which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh. The director, who has previously helmed movies like Murder On The Orient Express and the Thor series, will continue to play detective Hercule Poirot in the film.
Like Victoria & Abdul, Ali’s next, too, has a stellar cast, including Wonder Woman Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer, to name a few. The film explores Poirot’s investigation of a murder that takes place in a cruise on the Nile. As the probe begins, a handful of suspects emerge, but later, several of them meet their demise, further deepening the mystery.The film is part of the detective series, which earlier saw the star-studded Murder On The Orient Express (2017), starring the likes of Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp. Death On The Nile has previously been made in 1978, starring legends, including Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow and others. The film is slated to go on floors later this month in London and parts of Europe.
Confirming the news, Ali told Bombay Times, “Yes, I am a part of this wonderful journey and I am looking forward to it. My mother and I have always been huge fans of Agatha Christie novels, so this is special.” About working with director Kenneth Branagh, he added, “Kenneth is a master of his craft and I’m excited to be directed by him. And what a stellar cast to join hands with on this project!”
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