Ali Fazal On Facing Moral Dilemma Over Violent ‘Mirzapur’ Scene: ‘It Was Unnecessary’
Ali Fazal recently opened up about grappling with a moral dilemma during the filming of an intensely violent scene for the popular web series Mirzapur. Speaking to film critic Sucharita Tyagi, the actor admitted he felt discomfort while shooting a sequence he believed was unnecessarily brutal and struggled to justify its inclusion. Fazal expressed frustration, questioning why a scene like that would even be written into the story.
“Yes, now, by way of my privilege, I suppose, [my voice] has increased,” said Fazal when asked if he ever puts his foot down while dealing with moral concerns on set. “But I’ve always been a bit… and that’s probably why I’ve lost out on a lot of work.” He added that such ethical dilemmas often arise in his projects.
Reflecting on Mirzapur, he explained, “There was a scene where I kill someone in what I thought at the time was a very unnecessary way to execute that scene. And I just couldn’t redeem myself. The character also could not have redeemed itself from that. I thought it was just wrong, like why would you write that?”
Fazal shared that these situations lead to inner conflict, where he must balance his own moral judgments with those of his character. “I had to constantly battle my head and the character’s, and not judge that. And at the same time, I’m asking the filmmaker, ‘Why?’” The actor said such discussions with writers and directors can sometimes lead to tense situations.
Upcoming Projects for Ali Fazal
The actor has a packed slate of projects ahead. He will next be seen in Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino, slated for a 2024 release. He is also part of Lahore 1947, directed by Sunny Deol, and Thug Life, which stars Kamal Haasan.
Additionally, Fazal recently appeared in the announcement teaser of Mirzapur – The Film, an adaptation of the Hindi crime thriller series that brought him widespread acclaim. Fazal’s international career continues to expand as he confirmed his role in the Hollywood film Rule Breakers, directed by two-time Oscar-winner Bill Guttentag and co-starring writer-actor Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The film, set in Afghanistan, explores themes of resilience and resistance, and is scheduled to premiere in March 2025.
