Latest news with #Ali
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Mirzapur' star Ali Fazal reveals key differences between Bollywood and Hollywood work cultures
Ali Fazal contrasted Bollywood's casual lateness with Hollywood's strict punctuality, sharing how rehearsals in Hollywood start precisely early morning. He admitted to sometimes being fashionably late in India but values the discipline he learned abroad. He also spoke about maintaining a small, close circle of friends despite challenges. Ali Fazal began his Hindi film journey with a supporting role in '3 Idiots' and later featured in movies like 'Always Kabhi Kabhi', 'Baat Ban Gayi', and 'Bobby Jasoos'. Recently, he reflected on the differences between Bollywood and Hollywood, pointing out Bollywood's tendency for fashionable lateness compared to Hollywood's emphasis on punctuality. Strict Punctuality in Hollywood In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Ali emphasized the strict punctuality in Hollywood. He explained that in Hollywood, schedules are very precise and well-organized across all departments, not just for actors. He described how, even as early as 4:30 a.m., he might be shaving while rehearsals are already underway by 4:45 a.m. on set. Despite being in a robe or half-shaved, everyone is expected to be present and ready to rehearse before changing into their costumes. This disciplined approach contrasts with the more flexible timing often observed in Bollywood. Personal Routines and the Challenge of Punctuality in India He mentioned that despite the structured schedules, personal routines and vanities still exist within each department. He emphasized that punctuality is a valuable lesson from his Hollywood experience. However, he acknowledged that in India, punctuality is not consistent, and many people, including himself at times, tend to be fashionably late, which he feels bad about. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He admitted that he used to park his car about 500 meters away and walk in late intentionally, but has realized that this habit is not ideal and tries to avoid being very late. Friendship Culture in Bollywood and Hollywood When discussing the culture of friendship in both Hollywood and Bollywood, Ali explained that sometimes there isn't a strong sense of permanence in relationships. He mentioned that he holds on tightly to the good people in his life and has only a few close friends—around five or six. Recently, two of these close friends had a fallout after about five years, which made him feel like his close group was falling apart. However, despite these challenges, he emphasized that his core circle of friends remains strong.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ali Fazal on playing Guddu Bhaiya; Found it easier to give gaalis in 'Mirzapur'
Ali Fazal's role as Guddu Bhaiya in 'Mirzapur' challenged him to adopt a new persona, influenced by his nervousness on set. His authentic portrayal, aided by studying local nuances, earned global recognition, especially among the Indian diaspora. Despite the show's harsh language, Ali used few abusive words himself. Ali Fazal who started his career with a small role in the film 'The Other End of the Line' has gone on to make his mark on television and international cinema. In a recent interview, Ali opened up about how his character Guddu Bhaiya from 'Mirzapur' became famous worldwide and how his own nervousness influenced the way he acted. The Challenge of Portraying Guddu Bhaiya Speaking to Bollywood Bubbles, Ali Fazal revealed that playing Guddu Bhaiya in 'Mirzapur' was a significant challenge for him. He explained that the role required a transformation unlike anything he had done before, as it was very different from his own personality and the characters people usually see him portray. To prepare for the part, Ali immersed himself in understanding the local people and their surroundings. He credited the show's writer and director, Puneet Krishna , for creating an authentic world that greatly helped him. He shared, 'I used to take notes—like the pronunciation marks, intonations, and those little linguistic nuances, which are very important, because every region has its way of speaking.' Global Recognition and Audience Impact Ali reflected on the widespread global popularity of his character Guddu Bhaiya, saying, 'It feels nice, I mean that you've reached people.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo He mentioned that in India, it seemed like almost everyone with a mobile phone had watched the show, even if not on TV. Sharing his experience from a recent trip to New York, Ali revealed that he was recognized 90% of the time he went out, either for his role in 'Victoria and Abdul' or 'Mirzapur'. He added, 'People only had two things to talk about, and you also realise how massive our NRI audience is, how strongly it functions globally.' On Using 'Gaalis' in Mirzapur When questioned about how easy it was for him to use abusive language or "gaalis," Ali clarified, 'Listen, to be honest, more than me, the other character actors were the ones who were using gaalis. In fact, in season 2, I didn't use a single gaali. But I just didn't need to—season 1 had enough of that. People didn't even realise.' On whether delivering such lines comes naturally to him, he laughed and said, 'Nahi aajati hai (laughs) abh mahaul hi aisa hai. Itna kehna kaafi hai.' A Defining Moment on Set The actor recalled a memorable moment from the 'Mirzapur' set that he will always cherish. On his very first day of shooting a classroom scene at Gajomal College, he felt intense nervousness despite all his preparation. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the role or if he looked the part. To overcome his insecurity and appear more intimidating, he unconsciously changed his walk and posture. Ali explained, 'That posture, that vibe, it all came from that one moment. '
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Justin Langer: Are those cigarette-stained images really ‘the good old days'?
Hanging on the wall in my daughter Ali's kitchen is a sign declaring 'THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.' It's perched above her eclectic collection of cool coffee cups, one of which states, 'Life's Too Short for Shitty Mugs.' I smile every time I walk into Ali's kitchen of philosophy. And I smile when I think of the good old days. Like the night before my cricket Test debut for Australia, when I walked into an Adelaide hotel. I was already on cloud nine, as earlier that day I'd received the shock call-up, and within a couple of hours I was on a flight to Adelaide. There at the bar were Allan Border, David Boon, the Waugh brothers, Ian Healy, Merv Hughes, Mark Taylor and others. Greeted with handshakes and a nod of the head, I was handed a glass of beer poured from a jug of the hotel's coldest and best. 'Boony' was sitting with a cigarette hanging from his mouth and the whole team was talking and preparing for the mighty West Indies the following morning. 'Ah, the good old days.' When I share this scene in my keynote presentations, I then joke about modern-day players by saying something along the lines of: 'These days the players aren't drinking jugs of beer the night before a game. They are shaving their legs, meditating, spiritual healing, shining their diamond earrings and counting their cash.' This is always met with raucous laughter, which is amplified when I finish off by saying: 'Ah, the good old days.' The phrase, 'These Are the Good Old Days,' carries a delicious irony that would make even the most seasoned philosopher chuckle into their café latte. The good old days is a curious psychological phenomenon that seems to be hard-wired into our brains; a concept where we romanticise the past, while simultaneously failing to recognise the present moment for what it might become in the future. From an Australian perspective, this sentiment takes on particularly vivid dimensions. Ask any baby boomer about the good old days and you'll hear tales of unlocked front-doors, milk delivered in glass bottles, Commodores and Falcons, 20 cent bags of mixed lollies, and Saturday afternoon footy matches where you could actually afford a meat pie and a beer without taking out a second mortgage. There's a wistful longing for the Australia of Menzies-era suburbia, where a single income could buy a quarter-acre block and the biggest worry was whether the cricket would be rained out. Life was so simple back then, we often hear. Yet scratch beneath this golden veneer and you'll find a more complex reality. Those same good old days featured asbestos in every ceiling, lead in the paint, 17 per cent interest rates, smoking sections behind a curtain on domestic flights and in every public space. Women needed their husband's permission to open a bank account, and the White Australia Policy was still casting its long shadow. Indigenous Australians weren't even counted in the census until 1967, and multiculturalism was barely a glimmer in Gough Whitlam's eye. The universal truth about good old days nostalgia is that it's highly selective memory at work. Back in 1993, when I made my Test debut, Bob Simpson was our coach and 'AB' was our captain. We travelled with one physio (Errol Alcott), a scorer and a team manager, who was a member of the Australian Cricket Board. In all we had four support staff. This made life simple to a degree, but we had to fend for ourselves. Resilience wasn't a buzz word as it is today. Instead, it was like an invisible muscle that grew in us, if we were able to survive the battle of the fittest and best. Most of us had to have a 'real' job, especially if you weren't a consistent member of the team. My first Australian, non-negotiable contract was $7500. Even back then, it was hard to live off that. We were paid another $1100 a Test match, but getting into that first XI, and therefore being paid, was as tough as pulling out your own teeth with a pair of pliers. We shared rooms, sometimes with a chain smoker. There were no mobile phones, so we would have to reverse charge call to our families, or spend a fortune ringing home from the hotel, or pay phone, from wherever we were in the world. Showing any sign of weakness was taboo, concussion protocols were unheard of and every changing room we walked into there were cartons of Benson and Hedges cigarettes on the table in the middle of the room. Six stubbies and a toasted sandwich before bed were the staple diet for our more seasoned players during a Test match. 'Ah the good old days.' Just a few weeks ago I returned from another stint in the Indian Premier League. Gone are the days of four support staff, a stubbie and a toasted ham and cheese 'toastie' before bed. On many occasions we would board a chartered flight with up to 90 people as a part of our entourage: players, coaches, physios, doctors, sport scientists, managers, social media crews and massage therapists. Most of whom have their assistants to assist the assistants. There were literally people everywhere. With wealth comes players with their own personal chefs, minders and trainers. More bums on seats as they say. No wonder the chartered flights are preferred. But then, the more people the less work as well. For past generations this makes less sense because players, coaches and support staff are being paid more than one could only dream of a few decades ago. Who gets paid more to do less? 'The world has gone mad' we say, 'It's nuts it seems,' but 'these are the good old days,' or at least they will be down the track. Players also play the game differently today. Last week Indian superstar Rishab Pant, smashed two Test hundreds against India. He danced down the pitch, sat on his backside playing reverse sweeps and lapping the fast bowlers, before doing his signature front flip for the crowd when he brought up his centuries. Remember Sam Konstas's debut innings at the MCG last summer? What a memory. Even if Geoffrey Boycott, Border and Sunny Gavaskar didn't play Test cricket like that in the good old days when they batted all day with fire in their eyes, Konstas's emergence won't be forgotten. It's no different in other sports. For example, the modern AFL player, who now kicks a goal every weekend from a set shot with a banana, right in front of goals. What happened to the safe and tested purity of a drop punt? God forbid, what would Jason Dunstall, Austin Robertson and Tony 'Plugger' Lockett think of that? Perhaps the real wisdom lies in recognising that every era has its shadows and its light. Jigsaw puzzles, family connection and the simplicity of COVID enforcement may tell happy past tales down the track. But, for many others, that certainly won't be the case. Professional athletes being paid handsomely for pursuing their passion was once a fantasy. Today it is a reality and privilege that brings with it responsibility. In this social media world, there is nowhere to hide on or off their field of dreams. Kids currently learning to code in primary school, growing up with renewable energy and marriage equality are givens rather than dreams in today's society. In time, they will be tomorrow's nostalgia. The truth is, I love the sign in Ali's kitchen because we shouldn't forget that these probably are 'the good old days'. Our normal lives, disguised as ordinary weeknights, weekend drinks with friends, and those perfect winter mornings when the coffee and warm muffin tastes just right, are all our living memories, our future selves will treasure. While there's something lovely about pausing to reflect on time and our memories of the past - it's one of those conversations that reminds us why being human is so wonderfully complicated. When we scroll through our phones wondering where the world has become lost and why young Australians are facing housing unaffordability, let's not forget we are also the most globally connected, environmentally conscious, and socially progressive generation in our history. Maybe the secret isn't waiting for recognition from hindsight, but rather, developing the ability to spot the extraordinary hiding in plain sight. After all, in 20 years' time, someone will undoubtedly be lamenting the loss of our 'simpler' 2020s, when you could still find a decent avocado on toast for under $20 and people still remembered how to have conversations without consulting an AI friend. THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS — thanks for the reminder Ali.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Will 'Mirzapur' end with season 4? Ali Fazal hints at final chapter
Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are teaming up for a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic, filming in late 2025. The film will blend drama and comedy, reflecting their signature style. Meanwhile, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is nearing Rs 100 crore, solidifying its box office success. The anticipation for Mirzapur's next season has grown as Ali Fazal, who plays Guddu Pandit, hinted that the upcoming installment might be the final one. He also expressed excitement about the 'Mirzapur' film and indicated that the series could conclude after its fourth season. Original Cast to Return and Film Promises Surprises In an interview with Hindi Rush, Ali expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming 'Mirzapur' project, mentioning that the original cast will be returning. He revealed that he recently got a chance to read the script and found it impressive, promising, 'It's going to be a big surprise for everyone.' Ali also emphasized that the project isn't just a simple adaptation of the series into a film but something entirely unique. He added, 'Peaky Blinders has done the same format. They are making a film out of that.' Cast Announcement and Series Writing Update The actor refrained from revealing the finalized cast for the upcoming film, mentioning that the official announcement will be made by the makers shortly. Speaking about the series, he stated, 'That (the new season) is still being written because… I don't know… It will probably be the last season.' Ali Fazal's Views on OTT Content During the discussion, Ali expressed his views on the prevalence of violence, nudity, and explicit language in OTT content. He remarked, "When it was new, people were just abusing in all the OTT shows. All the OTT shows were just about crass language and sex, it was heightened, I think. It just felt like people were venting but slowly, everything has been normalised." He also highlighted the importance of accountability, stating, "If you are on OTT or elsewhere, the responsibility is on you. Responsible viewing, responsible making, however you define that.' Ensemble Cast and Release Timeline The 'Mirzapur' franchise continues to bring together a strong ensemble cast, including Pankaj Tripathi , Divyenndu, Abhishek Banerjee , Shweta Tripathi , and Shriya Pilgaonkar alongside Ali Fazal. Fans can expect the new season to arrive between late 2025 and early 2026, with the 'Mirzapur' film set for release in 2026.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This Indian actor is the only non-Korean in Squid Game. Now fans celebrate him as 'Prince' of K-drama
From Delhi to Korea: A Dream Too Bold to Predict A Character That Touched Millions From Player 199 to Prince Samir — kdramadaisy (@kdramadaisy) The Bridge Between Two Worlds You Might Also Like: Squid Game creator once sold his laptop to pay house rent. Now, fans await season 3 of a billion dollar phenomenon As Squid Game Season 3 hits Netflix this Friday, June 27, fans are eager to return to the brutal world of deadly games and moral dilemmas. But amid the returning thrill and suspense, one name from Season 1 continues to resonate with deep emotional weight — Ali Abdul (#199), played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi . The show may be Korean, but Ali's sincerity gave it a universal soul — and Tripathi, its most heartfelt becoming a household name, Tripathi was a theatre student from a middle-class Indian family who dared to dream differently. 'Anybody wants their kids to study and get a better job, but I was the wildest one in the home,' he told Tudum by Netflix. That defiance of expectations led him to a scholarship at Korea National University of Arts — and a one-way journey to a country where he didn't speak the language but spoke the language of real-life story closely mirrors that of his on-screen character, Ali — a migrant worker from Pakistan navigating a foreign world with courage and desperation. In Squid Game, Ali joins the deadly contest not out of greed but for the love of his family. For Tripathi, it was no stretch to connect with Ali's quiet resilience. 'I, myself, was an immigrant in Korea looking for a better opportunity,' he said. 'He's gentle and honest. He cares for his family. I am trying, [Ali] was also trying.'Ali's story arc may have ended in betrayal, but his impact was lasting. In a narrative soaked in violence, fear, and survival, Ali stood out as the most human — the kindest. His portrayal touched hearts across the globe and made Tripathi the breakout star of a series that drew over 142 million viewers in its first month. 'I never imagined people would talk about my character,' Tripathi said humbly. 'Everybody's a huge star in South Korea. They have their craft, and I was learning from them.'Yet fans connected to Ali because he wasn't just a player. He was the pulse of decency in a game of cruelty. The only non-Korean participant in the series, he reflected an entire diaspora of people who live, work, and struggle far from rising star didn't stop with Squid Game. He went on to play Prince Samir in the hit K-drama King the Land , further embedding himself into Korea's entertainment industry. Speaking to Variety, he said, 'After Squid Game, life has turned around a lot for me. Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.' Fans on the streets began calling him 'Ali' and later, 'Prince.'More than the recognition, Tripathi wants to use his visibility to open doors. 'I want to be called an Indian actor in Korea ,' he said. 'I feel so great that I'm representing India and foreign actors also.' He hopes for more inclusivity, even expressing a desire to see Korean award shows create categories for foreign Squid Game returns for its final season, Anupam Tripathi may not appear in the new episodes, but his legacy lingers. He wasn't just a character in the series — he was its emotional anchor. And as he continues his career in Korea while representing India on the global stage, he stands as a bridge between two cinematic worlds that rarely meet.
