Was thrilled with excitement: Ali Fazal on working with Oscar-winner Judi Dench

Mumbai: The most anticipated trailer of  ‘Victoria & Abdul’ starring Oscar-winner Judi Dench and Ali Fazal in the lead roles was released on Tuesday. The trailer is about the little-known story of Queen Victoria’s relationship with her closest confidant, Abdul Karim.

At the trailer launch, Ali said, “‘Victoria & Abdul’ is a biopic which portrays the relation between Queen of England and Abdul Karim, who went there as a servant, but there was much more to him. Their friendship was such that the royal family hasn’t spoken about it yet.”

Talking about the trailer, it was great to see Ali in every frame of the trailer, unlike other newcomers in Hollywood. The scenes between Judi Dench and him were refreshing as well as humorous.

The 'Fukrey' actor began his career in Hollywood with a special appearance in ‘Furious 7.’

When the 30-year-old was asked how did he get the role of Abdul Karim in this film, he narrated an interesting story of how he was locked for this film.

“I went through a proper process of auditioning. I gave the audition from India. In fact, I was in a meeting, and one day I wish I’ll take that person’s name because I owe it to that person. She’s from the industry itself. She told me there’s a film happening, but the auditions are done, why don’t you try? I called up the casting director and said I’ll send you the recording of my audition through phone, and later I completely forgot about it. After 20-25 days, I got a call saying that they really liked it and are coming down to India to see another version,” asserted Ali.

“They were still meeting lots of actors, and knowing that list was fun. I still feel privileged, because there were some of my colleagues whose work I really respect, and to be picked over them, is already a big award for me.”

He continued, “I was sitting with my friends in a restaurant, and I answered their phone call in the washroom because of the chaos in the restaurant. So, I actually said yes for the film in the bathroom.”

Further speaking about his excitement on sharing the screen space with the Oscar legends Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, and Eddie Izzard, an ecstatic Ali said, “I was thrilled with excitement. My happiness knew no bounds. I’ve grown up watching Judi Dench. And of course, she is an Oscar-winner. I couldn’t have asked for more than this.”

The film is based on the book of the same name by Shrabani Basu. It is a detailed account of the extraordinary friendship between the monarch and her servant.

Directed by Stephen Frears and written by Lee Hall, 'Victoria & Abdul' is slated to release on September 22 in the US.