Ali Fazal

Early Life and Education: Shaping Ali Fazal’s Artistic Vision

Ali Fazal was born in Delhi but his roots run deep in Lucknow. He spent most of his childhood in Uttar Pradesh’s cultural capital and built a strong bond with its heritage and lifestyle. “Mera poora bachpan Lucknow mein beeta hai,” Fazal remembers, highlighting the city’s impact on his early years. After his parents’ separation, he moved in with his maternal grandparents in Lucknow, a place that would shape his artistic journey.

Growing up in Lucknow: Cultural influences

Lucknow’s rich culture became part of Fazal’s identity from his early days. His middle-class upbringing gave him a love for the city’s charm, especially Hazratganj, where he spent countless hours with friends and family. “I miss the old Hazratganj. That had such an old world charm and there are so many of my memories associated with the place,” Fazal shares with longing. He still visits his 88-year-old grandmother in Lucknow every month, keeping his connection to his childhood home alive.

His family setup was different from most. His father worked in the Middle East and stayed away often. His mother lived with him in Lucknow, and he later found out she was once a star performer at Aligarh Muslim University. “My mother was a painter; I had only known about that. It was only five years ago that I came to know that she was also a popular stage name at the Aligarh Muslim University,” Fazal says. This hidden theatrical heritage might have sparked his acting career, though he didn’t know it then.

Educational journey from Doon School to St. Xavier’s College

Fazal’s education combined academic excellence with growing artistic interests. He started at La Martiniere College in Lucknow, one of India’s top schools. His father’s job took him briefly to the International Indian School in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, before he came back to India.

His life changed when he joined The Doon School in Dehradun, a prestigious all-boys boarding school known for its tough academics and complete development. At Doon, Fazal excelled in studies while taking part in many activities, though he wanted to become a doctor or pilot. “I was a science student and was studying in a boarding school. I wanted to be a pilot, then I wanted to be a doctor,” he recalls about his early dreams.

Fazal moved to Mumbai after school and joined St. Xavier’s College, where he earned his Economics degree. He balanced his studies with theater work during college, which caught several casting directors’ eyes. “My Bollywood career started with ‘Three Idiots’ in 2009 when I was in my second year in college,” Fazal mentions about starting his acting career during his college years.

Discovering acting through Shakespeare

A broken arm changed Fazal’s life path from sports to stage. “I broke my arm, before that I used to play a lot of basketball, hockey, and shot put. That is when I experienced stage or acting of any kind,” Fazal explains. This accident led him to try out for William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at Doon School.

He got the role of Trinculo, the jester in “The Tempest,” and found his natural talent for acting. “I played Trinculo from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. It was a memorable role for me,” he reflects on this key moment. He admits he “decided to sign up for the staging of The Tempest” because he “liked a girl on the team,” who became his high school sweetheart.

The stage sparked a passion that would define his future. Though people looked down on theater in India, as Fazal points out, saying “there are ‘theater guys,’ you have a sling bag with a kurta, and you’re that guy”, the experience helped shape his acting skills. His economics and science background took a back seat as Shakespeare’s influence led Fazal to become one of India’s most versatile actors.

Breaking into Bollywood: First Steps in Indian Cinema

Ali Fazal’s life took an unexpected turn when industry professionals spotted his college theater performances. He broke into Hindi cinema while still studying economics at St. Xavier’s College, unlike other actors who spent years waiting for their big break.

Debut in ‘3 Idiots’: The memorable Joy Lobo

Ali Fazal’s big screen journey started with a small but influential role in the 2009 blockbuster ‘3 Idiots.’ “I was doing a play in Bombay when I got a call from Raju Sir’s office to audition. I went in, read the part, and he watched it,” Fazal says. Rajkumar Hirani had seen one of his plays before, which helped him land the role. Fazal recorded “Give Me Some Sunshine” on his own, and Hirani picked him for the part within days. This role showed him just how far movies could reach and touch people’s lives.

His brief appearance as Joy Lobo – an engineering student who takes his own life due to academic pressure – struck a chord with viewers. The role that launched his career also brought some dark days. “I slipped into depression when I started with 3 Idiots,” Fazal shared. News reports about real students taking their lives, much like his character, hit him hard. “I was crushed at that point. I was naive. I was in my second year of college,” he said about how media questions about these similarities affected him deeply.

Early struggles and learning experiences

His newfound visibility from ‘3 Idiots’ didn’t guarantee instant success. His actual first film, directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, never saw the light of day. “Meri pehli film maine khud nahin dekhi,” Fazal admitted about this unreleased project.

Shah Rukh Khan’s production ‘Always Kabhi Kabhi’ (2011) seemed like his big chance but fell flat. “Perfect platform! But woh bhi thhap ho gayi,” Fazal remembered. The movie came out with five others that weekend and vanished quickly. “I remember the film came out on a Friday when six films were released together. I asked the trade analyst why he wasn’t reporting the collections of ‘Always Kabhi Kabhi’ – he very sweetly told me that it was because the film wasn’t doing very well,” he shared.

These setbacks shaped him. “Tab se mera darr nikal gaya, because you can only go up from that point,” he reflected. His failures helped him overcome his fear of rejection. He became more careful about picking scripts, though this pickiness sometimes meant losing roles. “At an early stage in my Bollywood career, that has also cost me movies because I used to be like ‘script, script.’ That was me being very naive at the time.”

Finding his footing with ‘Fukrey’

2013’s ‘Fukrey’ changed everything for Fazal. The comedy-drama became an unexpected hit. His role as Zafar, a musician with both emotional range and comic timing, showed he could do more than the intense drama of his ‘3 Idiots’ role. The movie’s success made him a familiar face in Bollywood and brought new roles his way.

‘Fukrey’ meant more than just career success – it led him to his future partner, actress Richa Chadha. The movie became his career’s foundation and grew into a popular series. His absence from ‘Fukrey 3’ (2024) raised questions, which he addressed: “I got a lot of flak for not being in Fukrey 3, but that was not because I wanted to be away from it, I was stuck on filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj ji’s film.”

Fazal’s early days in Bollywood showed his determination and desire to grow as an artist despite setbacks. His smart choices in India’s competitive film industry set him up for his later international success.

From Indian to the World

Hollywood Calling: Ali Fazal’s International Breakthrough

Ali Fazal built his name in Indian cinema and carved out a path that would place him among the few Indian actors with a strong Hollywood presence. His rise to global cinema wasn’t overnight but came through talent and determination.

From ‘Furious 7’ to ‘Victoria & Abdul’

Ali Fazal’s Hollywood experience started with a small but notable role in the 2015 blockbuster Furious 7, part of The Fast and the Furious franchise. He played Safar, a tech-savvy car dealer in Abu Dhabi, and appeared in just three scenes. The Western film industry’s payment structure became clear when Fazal revealed: “I still get royalties for Furious 7 for five days of work in the film. Every time it is screened on any TV, I will get a royalty”.

His big international break came with Victoria & Abdul (2017). He brought to life the character of Abdul Karim, Queen Victoria’s Indian servant who became her trusted confidant. The Stephen Frears-directed historical drama showcased Fazal’s talents to the world. “It was essentially two people just trying to have a conversation and talk and share things… It was love in so many ways. It was complicated. It was so layered,” Fazal shared about his character’s relationship with Queen Victoria.

Working with Dame Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench’s presence changed Fazal’s life both on and off screen. “I got a call from British producer Beeban Kidron, offering me the part of Abdul Karim in a biopic about his relationship with Queen Victoria… my Victoria was Dame Judi Dench, the undisputed queen of the silver screen,” Fazal remembered.

Their bond grew beyond the set. Fazal spent time in Dench’s trailer practicing Urdu together. The friendship lasted well after filming wrapped up. “Though it was primarily a professional collaboration, through the process, we ended up becoming thick as thieves”. He “FaceTimes her every other week” and keeps the Academy Award-winning actress updated about his life and career.

‘Death on the Nile’ and expanding global presence

Fazal’s role as Andrew Katchadourian in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile (2022) marked another milestone through color-blind casting. “I am glad that it’s changed and I am so happy that I could be part of a cast like this and actually fit into a role that was essentially played by George Kennedy… they’ve changed the character for me,” Fazal said.

His global reach keeps growing with roles in films like Kandahar (2023) alongside Gerard Butler. He’s about to make history as “the first Indian actor to join an international action film franchise” with the Kandahar sequel. Looking at the industry changes, Fazal points out, “There’s more inclusivity than ever before… narratives are also starting to claim culture”.

Mirzapur and Digital Domination: Becoming Guddu Pandit

Ali Fazal’s international success grew steadily, but his role as Guddu Pandit in the crime thriller ‘Mirzapur’ proved his versatility in India’s digital world. The series became a cultural sensation after its 2018 debut and significantly expanded his fanbase nationwide.

Transformation into a complex character

Guddu Pandit’s character development highlights Ali Fazal’s exceptional acting range. “Over the past two seasons, Guddu Pandit has undergone a remarkable transformation. Guddu has evolved into a more strategic and mature leader, using his intellect as much as his brawn,” Fazal explained about his character’s trip. The physical preparation demanded intense dedication.

He worked with celebrity trainer Rohit Nair to build the muscular physique needed for the role. Fazal explored deeply into his character’s psychological decline: “It’s an entire season of an arc where this person, in one instance, is saying ‘Violence is my USP,’ and in another instance, he is a very lonely man”.

Impact on his career trajectory

Mirzapur changed Fazal’s career path completely. “Mirzapur had certainly provided me with opportunities and expanded my horizons,” he acknowledged. The show’s effect on his Hollywood career was unique since Western circles rarely discussed it. On top of that, it led to a film adaptation. Fazal revealed: “The film will feature not just me, but also Divyenndu, Pankaj Tripathi, and Abhishek Banerjee”. This new format marks another milestone as he revisits the character.

Fan following and cultural phenomenon

Guddu Pandit’s fan response exceeded all expectations. Crowds chanted “Guddu Bhaiya” during his first hometown visit after Season 3’s release. His wife, Richa Chadha, showed this audience connection by sharing a reel of his intense scenes, writing: “I am the first member of the Ali Fazal fan club, he is exceptional in Mirzapur”. The character’s influence went beyond entertainment. Fazal shared an emotional note: “I got a lot of flak for not being in Fukrey 3, but that was not because I wanted to be away from it, I was stuck on filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj ji’s film”.

Personal Life and Relationships: Beyond the Camera

Ali Fazal’s personal life shows a man shaped by deep relationships, heartbreaking losses, and a strong sense of who he is. His life away from the camera blends moments of happiness and sadness that have helped him grow as an artist and person.

Partnership with Richa Chadha: Love and collaboration

The “Fukrey” (2013) set became a life-changing place for Ali Fazal. Here, he met fellow actor Richa Chadha. They kept their relationship private until 2017, when Fazal made it public before the Venice Film Festival. “I remember I had to travel to be his plus one for the Venice Film Festival for Victoria & Abdul with Judi Dench. I was like… I am not missing your Judi Dench red carpet for the world,” Chadha shared about this milestone. The couple married legally under the Special Marriage Act in 2020, though COVID-19 delayed their celebration until October 2022. Their bond goes beyond romance—they created Pushing Buttons Studios, a production house that focuses on meaningful shared projects.

Family influences and personal losses

Fazal’s parents’ separation marked his childhood years, happening during his final year of school. “Eventually my parents got divorced when I was in class 12th and the father figure for me was somebody on the phone,” he revealed. His mother played a special role in his life—he later found out about her acting career during her time at Aligarh University. Recent years brought deep sorrow as he lost his mother to health complications in June 2020 and his grandfather in April 2021. These losses touched him deeply, as his pilgrimage words show: “Their loss will never heal me… maybe healing isn’t the answer. Seeking is”.

Faith and identity as a Muslim actor

Fazal balances his acting career with his Muslim faith. He completed the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in January 2022. He shared this spiritual experience on Instagram, writing about praying for “family, friends, and all the people in need of love”. Online questions about acting’s compatibility with Islamic principles met his confident yet humorous responses, showing how naturally he combines his faith and profession.

Read more about Ali Fazal’s incredible 2025 journey and upcoming projects.

Giving Back

Ali Fazal has consistently used his platform to contribute to society, reflecting his deep sense of social responsibility. He actively supports causes such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief. Ali has participated in events like NDTV’s Cancerthon, raising funds for children battling cancer, and has contributed to relief efforts during natural disasters, including the Nepal earthquake.

Alongside his wife, Richa Chadha, Ali has championed initiatives for the underprivileged, including programs that support young artists and filmmakers. The couple also invests in projects that foster meaningful storytelling, such as their co-produced film Girls Will Be Girls, which sheds light on critical societal issues. Ali’s commitment to philanthropy highlights his belief in using art and influence to drive positive change.

Key Takeaways

Global Versatility

Ali Fazal has successfully bridged the gap between Bollywood and Hollywood, proving that talent transcends borders.

Breakthrough Moments

From Fukrey to Victoria & Abdul and Mirzapur, he has showcased a wide range of acting abilities, gaining acclaim both in India and internationally.

Commitment to Growth

His career trajectory reflects a dedication to evolving as an artist, whether through indie projects, international films, or theater.

Social Responsibility

Ali actively gives back to society, supporting causes in education, disaster relief, and filmmaking, embodying a socially conscious star.

Promoting Brand India

Through his work in international cinema and global festivals, Ali Fazal has become an ambassador for Indian talent and creativity on the world stage.

Innovation in Storytelling

Co-producing impactful films and supporting unique narratives, Ali demonstrates his vision for meaningful cinema.

Global Indian Impact Analysis

Read a similar story of Adil Hussain, a Global Indian Actor.

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