As told to Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 9, 2018)

The 2017 British biographical comedy-drama Victoria & Abdul (above), which was nominated for two Oscars, came to me unannounced. I was told about it by an agent in Mumbai and went through multiple auditions in London studios and readings with director Stephen Frears. After I landed the part, a month-and-a-half before the shoot, I locked myself up in my hotel room in London with 12 history books spanning the last 200 years.

Abdul Karim, the young prison clerk from Agra who sails to England for Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 to present her with a gold coin and strikes an unlikely friendship with the Queen had got lost in time. In the 18th century there weren’t too many photographs taken and no video footage, so we had to build him up from the few that existed, mathematically map out Abdul’s life through his clothes and suchlike. The books only helped me 10 per cent in fleshing out the character, but thanks to the film, I brushed up on my history.

Abdul had lived in London for 15 years and served as the Queen’s munshi. An Urdu scholar who knew the Quran well, he was also her Urdu and spiritual teacher. During their time together they had fallen in love, even though he was 30 and she 80. But from the way the screenplay was written, it seemed like the story had unfolded over five days and the only way to track the timeline was to be attentive to the costumes which changed with the years.

I’d lied saying I’d read the book on which the film was based, only doing so after the shoot. The screenplay wanted to create a fantasy in the midst of chaos and I didn’t want to burst that. But I did brush up on my Urdu and even taught it to Judi Dench. She in turn taught me table manners, in particular how to eat lobster. Both of us come from a theatre background and we’d chat for hours. The friendship that blossomed was real.

For my other Hollywood film, Fast and Furious 7, I learnt to drive sports cars because in the initial script I had a race with Vin Diesel. I practised on an Audi R8 and Bugatti but by the time we reached the second schedule, we lost Paul Walker and the script turned into a tribute to him. So the race didn’t happen but another scene was added as compensation. The film was the Dabangg of Hollywood and I was playing royalty but royalty today wears Versace and not a crown. I knew a few princes from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, observed how they spoke and thought and even acquired a Middle-Eastern accent.

Back in Bollywood, the Fukrey (left) franchise has become a crowd-puller but I admit, the first time I heard it, I didn’t think much of the role I played. Zafar, the struggling musician, seemed too easy and I thought if he were mute, I would be more impactful. The filmmakers eventually convinced me to come on board and I developed a great chemistry with the other boys (Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Manjeet Singh). I also got to play some amateurish guitar which I’d learnt during 3 Idiots (right). I hadn’t got much time to prep then so I used a few common chords while singing “Give Me Some Sunshine” live, full out. But the guitar became a part of me.

More recently, for Mirzapur, a story of two brothers, I put on 12 kg of muscle and shaved my head to play this medieval character in a series which is a mix of Narcos and Godfather. It has hi-octane action sequences which required training. But since I come from a family for whom hunting was a game once, though I don’t promote it, I know my guns.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 24, 2017)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 4, 2017)

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 19, 2017)

Victoria & Abdul may have received mixed reviews upon its release last month, but Dame Judi Dench holds the film close to her heart. The beautiful storyline exploring the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and her servant aside, the Academy Award-winning actor believes it gave her a talented co-star in Ali Fazal. Dench, who has worked with some of the brightest talents of Hollywood including Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig and Gwyneth Paltrow, feels that Fazal shows tremendous promise as an artiste.

In a chat with mid-day, she revealed that she finds similarities between Fazal and her Chocolat (2000) co-star Johnny Depp. “I think if I had to peg Ali as someone, he would be a younger version of Johnny Depp.” Dench, who recently shot with Depp for Murder On The Orient Express (2017), added that the Indian export was gifted with a great sense of humour — much like the Hollywood hottie. “Ali is a beautiful boy, very gentle and intelligent. And he’s really funny.” Understandably, Fazal was beside himself with joy to be compared to the Oscar-nominated actor.

Not only is he an ardent admirer of Depp’s work, a compliment of such magnitude coming from Dench makes him all the more confident about his craft. He said, “To be compared to someone I have admired for a long time means so much. Judi and I hit it off instantly. We shared numerous laughs, and we often discussed her experience of working with Depp on Murder On The Orient Express. I guess I don’t need to compliment her in return, she is more popular than Queen Victoria would have been today.”

Model, theatre artiste, film and TV actor, Neena Kulkarni discusses her career spanning 40 years...
Yogesh Pawar (DNA; September 23, 2017)

As a model, theatre person, film and TV actor, filmmaker and columnist, Neena Kulkarni wears several hats and brings the sincerity of her craft to every frame making each character she portrays, real and imbuing even similar ones with an edge that make them different. To do this once in a while is itself worthy of admiration so what does one say to someone, who has done this for four decades. On the completion of 40 years in the industry, the seasoned actor opened up on her exceptional work, her life and her hopes from the future...

It’s been four decades of acting. Does it still thrill you like when you started in the mid-70s?
Of course, it does. Nothing gives me the same high as acting. Acting will always be my biggest love. I think that’s happened because I’ve enjoyed and made the most of every part, however, big or small. I’ve almost never taken up a part that I didn’t like under compulsion.

Do you feel the Padma awards have taken their time to find you? After the National award for Shevri (2006) and state awards for theatre and films, not many have come your way?
What is recognition after all? Recognition and love I get from people when I step out? The way someone recalls/praises a play/serial/ad I did even from the early 80s? Or the respect and warmth I receive from people in the fraternity? Isn’t that more important and satisfying? Having said that, I haven’t stopped hungering. Who knows, a better, more challenging role and the recognition it will bring in its wake may still be ahead. After all, we live in really interesting times when filmmakers are pushing the envelope, both with subjects and genres.

How does that affect you?
You know how this plays out. An actress is assumed to have a certain shelf life after which she’s thrust into a ‘character role.’ I’m 62. There was a time when someone my age would be just another glorified prop, but not so anymore. One of the nicest things about contemporary takes on gender and sexuality have meant assertive women. And filmmaking has had to make space for that. That is why films are being written for a Meryl Streep, a Judi Dench or a Sridevi here. Even if one has to etch a mother she isn’t simply filling the frame. Look at how wonderfully Shabana ji (Azmi)’s character stood out in Neerja.

Didn’t you too audition for that part?
Well, I did. And given the prep that I put in, I won’t lie and say that it didn’t hurt to not get it. But when I saw the film, I was floored with what Shabana ji brought to the role. We come from really different schools of acting so obviously her take on the character is very different from mine.

You did not grow up in a filmi family.
Not at all. I was always the upper middle-class Mahim girl. My parents were both doctors and really well-respected names in the medical fraternity and I schooled at Canossa Convent and then pursued my BA from Elphinstone College. So acting happened as a matter of chance.

Really?
You can blame that on our short college hours and lack of diversions like social media. (Laughs) We’d have a lot of time on our hands. I’d begun doing fashion shows and modelling for a lark even doing the odd experimental play. My progressive parents were quite supportive and never resisted. And so I carried on.

And then you met Pt Satyadev Dubey?
Satyadevji is known as a director, actor, playwright and screenwriter. But his greatest contribution has been his mentoring of an entire generation of actors helping them discover their own strengths. Imagine my luck that I met this walking encyclopedia of theatre and went on to be part of several productions under him. Though extremely moody and temperamental, he was a very generous teacher. I was young and all of this was totally new, so I’d be excited about everything. I hadn’t had any formal training in acting. It all began with Satyadev ji. He’d make us learn the whole play, all dialogues for all parts. And anyone could be called to play anyone if that person didn’t turn up. It trained and opened up doors for me to act in other plays like Mohan Rakesh’s Adhe Adhure, Shankar Shesh’s Mayavi Sarovar and Willie Russell’s Educating Rita.

You were to shortly meet your second mentor Vijaya Mehta...
All of us call her 'Bai' respectfully. She was already quite a big name and I was quite chuffed she chose me to play Shabbo in Anil Barve's Hamidabai chi Kothi (1978). The grammar, craft and technique of her theatre work is at a complete variance from Satyadev ji. She wants you to find your character yourself. Given my enthusiasm, I adapted and picked up soon. It set the stage for me to do iconic plays like Mahasagar and Savitri with her. Later I did other plays like DhyaaniMani, Prem Patra and Vatvat Savitri. A few years ago in a hugely emotional development, I got to step into Bai's shoes and play Hamidabai's character which she played when the play was revived. At her behest, I have joined her to conduct workshops for young actors.

You also did a play with autobiographical shades of the dynamics between Medha Patkar and her ex over her career and cause choices.
Yes, a lot of people saw resonances of her life in a play I did with my late husband Dilip, Aaicha Ghar Unhaat. I only met her much later personally when she was asking many of us to join her in the Narmada Movement.

And did you?
No, I didn’t. I felt it should be something one does full-fledged and not as occasional photo-ops. I was by then faced with the prospect of running a home by myself and couldn’t make time.

Are you talking about the passing away of your husband Dilip Kulkarni?
Yes, till it happened very suddenly in 2002, I’d thought of what I do as only a passion. True, I contributed to the family kitty, but he was the man of the house in my head. You know, he acted as a part-time thing, but worked in a cooperative bank full time. With his passing away, once I was past the sorrow what stared at me was providing for my two children and running the house.

Do you still miss him?
I know it’s been 15 years. I’ve reconciled to the idea of his passing away, but how can one not miss a partner one loved and shared a life with? You know when we first met during rehearsals for a play, he’d maintain a shy distance. That drew me to him and made me fall in love. We came from really different backgrounds. He came from a working class background in Deolali and was settled here in a bank job. On my insistence, he agreed to buy a flat in the same housing society I grew up in from early childhood and set home here. Even now when I’m by myself I feel like talking to him.

Your children are both in the entertainment industry now.
Yes, but both have decided to be behind the scenes. My daughter is into TV production and my son is into advertising.

Speaking of the latter, you are an Indian model with one of the longest innings. Aren’t you?
Well, I began early. I was the Clearasil girl when I was barely 16. I have played everything from young girl, wife, mother, elderly old age home inmate selling everything from hair oil, insurance and what have you. I have never sought work. But over the years, people have always approached me and I feel lucky to have done campaigns like Bisleri, Sprite, Mother Diary, Cadbury and Life Insurance Corporation and others. Besides, ads don’t tie you down to a project for long.

You mean daily soaps like Yeh Hai Mohabbatein where you are Madhavi Vishwanathan Iyer since 2013?
TV is no longer the poor cousin of the big screen. With its wide reach, it has pulled actors towards it. Actors of my seniority too get a lot of different characters without getting stereotyped. Many big actors are coming to the small screen since it gives them a direct connect with fans. But I must mention here that sometimes TV can be a blur. Some people think as long as they look good and say their lines properly, it’s fine. This is unfair to other actors really working on their craft. But given the rush, even a not-so-good take is canned and often makes it on air too. That hurts because I come from a culture of worshipping my work.

Will you continue to do plays?
I’ll continue to do theatre till I breathe. I only feel the work should challenge me. Wedding Album or a Mahatma versus Gandhi with Naseeruddin Shah was quite fulfilling and I want more of that kind of work. The last play I was doing was Chaapa Kaata. After I point, I was unhappy about turning up at work. The idea of travelling long distances for a three-hour-show, which is not doing anything for me got to me and I stopped doing that play.

And you’re equally selective about films?
The medium seems to love me. I’ve worked with greats like Mani Ratnam, Amol Palekar, Priyadarshan and Shankar. I even played a cameo opposite Amitabh Bachchan (Bhoothnath) because it was a BR Films project. Also, many new indie filmmakers are doing fascinating stuff. It will be great to work with them. Unlike TV, here it matters who the director is and what the set-up is.

You have to talk about working with Judi Dench.
The modesty and humility of a legend like Judi Dench can only be seen to be believed. For a scene in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel where she was not even in the frame, just to cue me she came and stood in front. Here if an actor realised that s/he was not in the frame a spot boy would replace her/him.

You've done a French TV series Raani which ran to great acclaim on channel France Deux and a French film Noces. Did you learn especially learn French?
French was what I majored in while graduating from Elphinstone College. I did occasional translation jobs till I got drawn to fashion, modelling and acting. Of course, my French is quite rusty but in both these projects, it suited the context of my characters. I haven't quite gotten over the fun we had while shooting for Noces in Luxembourg last year.

Who are your favourite young actors among the current lot?
I think almost all of them bring such energy and drive to what they are doing that its almost inspiring. When we began we were just looking for work. These guys come looking careers.

Any advice for the younger actors?
Who am I to advise anyone anything when I learn so much from them? I have learnt to lighten up, live the moment and have fun. They help me stay young. Who would have thought, but it’s also kept me busy on social media.

Who are you closest to in the industry?
Given my innings, I get along with almost everyone. But in the passing away of Reema Lagoo, I have lost a soulmate. A fellow acolyte of Vijaya Bai, I’d discuss anything personal/professional with her with complete ease. I’ve now reached a stage where I prefer being a loner.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 21, 2017)

Ali Fazal’s Brit drama, Victoria & Abdul, has been receiving mixed responses from UK critics, with The Telegraph saying it had reduced the ‘fascinating real-life tale to biscuit-tin proportions’. But, unfazed by the criticism, the actor is enjoying his time in Los Angeles, where he is touring with his film. Fazal has been interacting with the elite of the industry in LA, ahead of the screening of the Judi Dench-starrer yesterday, and even bagged the chance to meet the great granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Cécile of Hohenlohe-Langenburg at a special luncheon organised for the film’s crew.

Recalling his interaction, Fazal tells mid-day, “Cecile was warm and humble. It was great to be in the company of Dame Judi Dench and a real-life princess in the same room. We exchanged notes on cinema and spoke extensively about the film.”

In the film, Dench plays Queen Victoria, who shares a special bond with Fazal’s character, the monarch’s tutor and confidante.

Meanwhile, responding to a British daily’s report of his film grabbing the second spot at the UK box-office, after supernatural horror It, Fazal, said in a statement: “I can’t believe we [are] above such wonderful movies. So, I guess I am happy.”

Chronicling the Queen's relationship with her aide in 'Victoria & Abdul', Dame Judi Dench expresses her fondness for co-star Ali Fazal
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 4, 2017)

When the idea of making 'Victoria & Abdul' germinated in producer Beeban Kidron's mind, she couldn't imagine anyone but Dame Judi Dench portraying the role of the British monarch. After all, the Academy Award-winning actor had etched her place in everyone's minds as Queen Victoria in her 1997 outing, 'Mrs Brown'.

Two decades later, Dench has reprised her role in the Stephen Frears-directed drama that explores the Queen's nuanced relationship with her Indian servant, Abdul Karim.

The Queen's fondness for Abdul was a subject of much heartburn in the royal court during those times, and of much discussion in the years to follow. Dench has her own interpretation of the unusual friendship.

"Abdul was someone around whom she could actually relax, all protocol cancelled," Dench tells mid-day over e-mail. Given the loneliness that entails being the Queen, Dench states that she understands why the 19th century monarch would grow on to depend on the Munshi.

"[It was] a real relationship, (where she was) able to speak her mind to somebody. That's what it was more than anything else. It must have been glorious to have somebody to talk to," analyses the celebrated actor.

The film is based on Shrabani Basu's book, Victoria & Abdul: The True Story Of The Queen's Closest Confidant. Besides studying the Munshi's journals, Basu also referred to the 13 volumes of the Queen's Hindustani journals, which chronicled her daily lessons with the Munshi, who taught her Hindustani.

As part of their research for the drama, Dench and Fazal read the Queen's letters that were included in the Hindustani journals. However, their real challenge was to bring alive a relationship on screen, only through undertones. And this is where Dench feels her understated chemistry with Fazal came to the fore.

Besides being a dream co-star, the actor says that Fazal has gone on to become a friend she truly cherishes. "The friendship we struck is so beautiful," she says, before adding, "When Ali would walk in the room, you wouldn't recognise me. I would be a spring chicken, all over the place."

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 29, 2017)

The makers of Ali Fazal and Judi Dench-starrer Victoria & Abdul are leaving no stone unturned to make the Brit-drama reminiscent of the 1800s. The studio has roped in Oscar nominated Irish costume designer, Consolata Boyle, to create the attires for the period saga.

A source from the unit informs mid-day, “After a lot of research, 600 costumes were made for Ali’s role. Judi’s outfits outnumbered those of the actor. The makers wanted to see the options to ensure that each scene was depicted accurately. Given that the film is set in the 1800, they wanted to imitate the culture.”

As many as 50 artisans had worked for several months to make the costumes. Buzz is, Indian designers Raghavendra Rathore and Ujjwal Dubey have also worked on the film to create a few traditional ensembles for Ali. In fact, the actor had recommended Dubey’s name to the makers. “The attires made them standout on screen. Boyle’s perfection and elegance is evident from the attires. We have noticed it in the trailer that released a few days ago,” informs a source from the film’s studio.

The film chronicles an unlikely friendship formed between Queen Victoria (Dench) and an Indian orderly (Abdul, Fazal), summoned to serve at her court.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 26, 2016)

Ali Fazal on his Academy Award-winning co-star’s love for India and the Hindi filmdom
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 17, 2016)

The last two months have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for Ali Fazal. Shortly after his cross-border romantic comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi hit theatres, he packed his bags and flew off to the UK, where he has been stationed ever since to shoot for Stephen Frears’ Victoria and Abdul. Being part of a Hollywood film sure makes him proud, but what Ali is more excited is that he has Oscar winner Judi Dench as his co-star. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he says.

The unit recently wrapped up shooting in Osborne House, Isle of Wight in Southern UK (former Royal Palace). “Being a tourist is completely different from shooting here with the picture of the person you are playing hanging right in front of your eyes. The palace is gorgeous. There is a durbar hall, exactly like the ones we have in Indian palaces,” he adds.

The actor admits he has read only a few pages of Shrabani Basu’s Victoria And Abdul: The True Story Of The Queens’ Closest Confidant on which the film is based. “I stopped consciously. I will read once I am through with the shoot. I have prepared extensively, studying everything from history to art and literature of that era. There is a different kind of thrill in bringing alive a hushed-up story. Victoria and Abdul… it was a spiritual relationship. There is evidence of a romance too. Some feel it’s platonic, but they were intimate as well, but not in a pervert way,” he shares.

Off the set, Ali is a student taking notes from the locals. “Can you imagine sitting around people whose conversations start with ‘When I was having tea with Robert De Niro’? When Judi or Sir Michael Gambon (widely known for his role as professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter) talk of legends like Marlon Brando like they are regular people, I realise what I am into. But, they are grounded. I have found a great friend in Judi and I couldn’t help, but fall in love with her,” he says.

We have heard the unit is flying down to Agra in the first week of November. Ali confirms that, saying, “It’s a seven-day schedule. Judi loves India and is curious about Bollywood. Since she has shot the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) and its sequel (2015) in India, she is aware of who’s who. Industry gossip amuses her. She enjoys it.”

Ali Fazal who plays Abdul Karim in Stephen Frears’ Brit drama on his new ‘friend’ Judi Dench
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 14, 2016)

Sitting in his vanity van in London, Ali Fazal sounds nothing like the flamboyant Bollywood actor who made his debut nine years ago. Today, he speaks about Shashi Kapoor whom he is frequently compared to by two-time Academy Award-winning director, Stephen Frears (Shashi and Stephen worked together in the 1987 hit Sammy and Rosie Get Laid) and now, Ali is in his upcoming film, Victoria & Abdul. He’s also set to ring in his 30th birthday with an Anushka Shankar concert on October 15.

Ali plays Abdul Karim, a young clerk who in a turban, mojdis and desi wear travelled from India to be a part of the Queen’s golden jubilee celebrations in 1987 and forged an unlikely friendship with Queen Victoria, who eventually appointed ‘Munshi’ as her Indian Secretary. He served her during the last 15 years of her rule.

“My look will shock everyone! The costumes have been handpicked by Consolata Boyle (who dressed up Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady and Helen Mirren in The Queen),” informs the Lucknow-born actor, who’s been shooting in England and Scotland for the last two months and will wrap up the film in Agra in December.

He’s gained weight for the film too, but now has to get back into shape, for the film’s next portions and his next film, Fukrey 2. His prep also included Urdu classes and handwriting workshops. “The script only demanded one Indian actor and I bagged the part. I was ecstatic! My first shot with Judi Dench was on top of a mountain in Scotland, on a windy day. Abdul needed to shiver and that was easy, since I was nervous, anyways,” he laughs, admitting he’s found a friend in Dame Dench. “She’s the most loved woman in Britain!”

Shooting inside the royal darbar of the Osborne House, built between 1845 and 1851, as a summer home for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, brought Ali closer to his character. “I realised that I’d be the face of Abdul for those who read Shrabani Basu’s book, Victoria & Abdul, in the future,” says Ali, who started reading the book but quit after a few pages because he wanted to experience the era on the set. “My dad and grandfather finished the book in a week, when I told them I’d bagged the film. The day we wrap up, I’ll finish the book in a readathon,” Ali beams.

He marvels at how everything is unbelievably professional, from the scented candle in his vanity van to his interaction with the other actors, including Sir Michael Gambon aka Dumbledore, his fave Harry Potter character. “He’s a legend and rehearsing with him was surreal,” he raves. Ali is more grounded and humbled today, having worked with the greats. He’s happy to cheer on Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan too. “I’m missing India! I watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. Sushant (Singh Rajput) was terrific in it!”

The Brit veteran reunites with Oscar-nominated director, Stephen Frears
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 18, 2016)

Subhash K Jha (DNA; August 9, 2016)


Says Ali, “Yes, she has expressed a desire to watch Happy Bhag Jayegi. Judi is very interested in India and Indian cinema. We spoke about our cinema over lunch. And when I told her about my new film she said she wanted to see it. As soon as it is ready we’ll take it to London to show her. I am most happy to show her this from among my films. It’s a film I am proud of.”

Ali’s first meeting with the 81-year old Judi Dench was memorable. “At lunch in London I went down on my knees in front of her and kissed her hand. Of course, I am going to be flirting with her. Our friendship in the film gives me the right to.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 6, 2016)