Indian actor Ali Fazal says he is no longer chasing stardom, choosing instead to pursue projects that align with his values and leave a lasting impact on audiences. Speaking to Elle India, the actor reflected on cinema, creative risks and why meaningful storytelling now takes precedence over commercial success. Fazal said he increasingly prioritises roles that have "less relevance and more resonance", explaining that he wants both his Bollywood and Hollywood work to reflect the ambition and humanity that define him as a person rather than simply as an actor.
"Mostly the feeling that you've made less of a difference in people's lives," he said when asked what worries him most. Using his upcoming film Raakh as an example, Fazal said some projects go beyond commercial success by sparking conversations. "Sometimes you're part of things that work, and that's wonderful because we all need appreciation to move forward.
But once in a while, there are projects that actually begin conversations. They come at a time when society perhaps needs them or needs reminding that, sadly, not much has changed fifty years later. It has humbled me." The actor said his priorities have shifted significantly since the early days of his career.
"Earlier, I'd jump into whatever came my way because I had to," he admitted. "Today, I can afford patience." Rather than chasing one blockbuster after another, Fazal said he now gravitates towards intimate, character-driven roles, streaming projects and stories with emotional depth. He also revealed that the screenplay remains the deciding factor when choosing a project.
"The script is always the first thing. The punctuation in a screenplay tells you whether it's going to be good or bad. I'm not some A-list star who's staying away from genres because they'll spoil my image," he joked.
"I've probably stayed away from bad scripts more than genres." Reflecting on his career, Fazal credited one of his earliest films, Always Kabhi Kabhi, with shaping his understanding of filmmaking despite its modest box-office performance. "It taught me the grammar of cinema. It helped me understand filmmaking.
Summary from source