Indian actor still ecstatic about work with Dench
The chance to work with Judi Dench on the upcoming film “Victoria and Abdul” more than thrilled Ali Fazal.
“I was like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when I walked onto the set,” said the India-born actor, who shares most of the scenes in the film with Dench. The story of the final years in the life of Queen Victoria (played by Dench) focuses on the relationship she formed with a lowerclass clerk from India (Fazal) that was so deep that he became more of a confidant than any of her relatives.
Fazal, 30, has been working in television and film for a dozen years, but none of his projects was as large in historical scope. Nor had he ever co-starred with such a highly heralded actor as Dench.
“My first meeting with Judi was a bit of a fanboy moment,” Fazal said. “But she's so generous and such an easy person to like and love. She may be the most loved woman in Britain — if not the world.”
The initial meeting, he said, was made easy by Dench herself.
“I was a stranger, and she just gave me the warmest hug. We were suddenly friends.”
That connection surely only helped them with filming, given the close bond their characters form.
Fazal’s character, who was supposed to be in the presence of the queen only for a presentation to mark her golden jubilee, becomes a trusted mentor and adviser.
The film is based on the
book of the same name by Shrabani Basu.
During his youth, Fazal had heard about a man from India going to Britain and becoming a “munshi” to the queen.
To prepare for the role, he immediately began
researching the period to help him understand both the unique situation and the era.
“Here is a man who became her mentor and friend for 15 years and yet there wasn’t a lot to be found. It’s like the whole story had been brushed aside in both India and Britain,” said Fazal, who wanted to be sure that his performance
earned the real Abdul the recognition he didn’t get for many years.
“I had to join all of the pieces of the puzzle because it has been about 130 years or so that it happened and there is no record.
“My god, I wish I had read as many books when I was in school. I went through nine, 10 books on history.”
The way director Stephen Frears put the movie together, Victoria and Abdul develop a bond fueled by a mutual love and respect that’s strong enough to push aside the traditional way a queen should act.
Fazal sees the film as the story of a very intimate and spiritual relationship that was ahead of its time