Hollywood calling: Ali Fazal signs his next 'Victoria and Abdul' opposite Judi Dench!

Actor Ali Fazal who was last seen in a cameo in Fast and Furious 7, has bagged the lead role opposite Dame Judi Dench in director Stephen Frears's next. Set in the late 1800s the film is tentatively titled Victoria & Abdul and is based on a book which tells the true story of an unexpected friendship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim, a young clerk from India. While Queen Victoria will be played by Judi, Ali will play Abdul. 

Talking about his role, he said, "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 is excited to act with Judi. He 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.