Ali Fazal, who played a cameo in the seventh instalment of the 'Fast And Furious' franchise, has bagged the lead role opposite
Dame Judi Dench
in director
Stephen Frears' next film. Tentatively titled 'Victoria & Abdul', it is set in the late 1800s and is based on the book that narrates the true story of an unexpected friendship between
Queen Victoria
and
Abdul Karim, a young clerk from India. While Ali will play Abdul, Judi, who played Queen Victoria in '
Mrs Brown
' (1997), will once again essay the role. Though a few Indian actors auditioned for the part, Ali bagged the role. He told Bombay Times, 'I think they liked my hold on Hindi, English and Urdu. I'm growing a beard for this movie. Hence, I'm looking like a homeless guy while promoting my upcoming film 'Happy Bhag Jayegi'. I'll leave for
London
after it releases." Ali, who is thrilled to work with the Oscar winning actress, adds, 'I'm living my dream. Abdul is a guy from
Agra
who goes to London and is thrown into a fancy place all of a sudden. That's just what happened to me.
Stephen
liked my audition and I did reading sessions with Judi Dench.' While the actor hasn't read the book the movie is based on, he has read a few letters exchanged between the Queen and Abdul from the archives. 'I didn't want the book to influence Stephen's vision or the script. I wanted to retain the innocence that Abdul had. From teaching the Queen Hindi and
Urdu
to becoming her confidante and political advisor ' they shared a unique relationship,' says Ali.
A lipstick obsessed compulsive shopper, Renuka is not spaced out ...
Read MoreA lipstick obsessed compulsive shopper, Renuka is not spaced out when watching a good film or a good game. A film critic for The Times of India and entertainment/sports writer for Bombay Times, she likes everything British, especially Tom Hiddleston.
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