Veteran English actor Judi Dench loved the company of her co-actor Ali Fazal while shooting for their upcoming international film, Victoria & Abdul. The two attended the Venice Film Festival for the world premier of their film, and couldn’t stop gushing about each other.
Fazal plays the character of Abdul Karim, a man from Agra, who was appointed as an attendant to Queen Victoria (played by Dench) and went on to become one of her closest confidantes. Dench says that she shares a special bond with Fazal — the two got along well while shooting for the film.
“If today, in fact, Ali walked in where I was, you wouldn’t recognise me. I would be a spring chicken, all over the place. So beautiful,” she beams.
Dench also draws similarities between their on screen and off screen relationship. She shares, “Abdul was someone, [with whom] she [The Queen] could actually relax, all formal protocols cancelled. A real proper relationship, being able to speak her mind with somebody, I think that’s what it was. It’s exactly what I have with Ali.”
Fazal, who admits that he was intimidated by the James Bond star, has now grown comfortable around the actor. While shooting, the duo got along very well and bonded on sets on various things they like, including Bollywood and world cinema. Now, Fazal, too cannot stop gushing about Dench and the aura around her.
{{/usCountry}}Fazal, who admits that he was intimidated by the James Bond star, has now grown comfortable around the actor. While shooting, the duo got along very well and bonded on sets on various things they like, including Bollywood and world cinema. Now, Fazal, too cannot stop gushing about Dench and the aura around her.
{{/usCountry}}“We both share a [similar] sense of humour that is the key to a friendship, and a certain comfort. My dame makes me look good — I am honoured to have been a part of her troupe and this film. And her reaction makes me ecstatic,” adds Fazal.
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