He dreamed of becoming a basketball player. But a serious injury pushed him towards theatre. How one career decision changed the life of this Mirzapur actor

Sometimes a roadblock can become a blessing in disguise. Initially, a setback may feel disappointing, but with time, you may realise it was the best thing that ever happened to you. Something similar happened to Ali Fazal. The actor, who is currently basking in the success of his latest crime thriller Raakh, needs no introduction. From making his big Bollywood debut with Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots to becoming an overnight sensation with the cult thriller series Mirzapur and even working in Hollywood, the 39-year-old has indeed come a long way in his career.

A setback that became a turning point

Born and raised in Lucknow by his grandparents, Ali Fazal's childhood was shaped by personal challenges, as per The Better India. Long before he forayed into acting, Fazal harboured a deep love for basketball and dreamt of building a career in the sport. A state level player, he even captained his school basketball team for 3 years, dedicating much of his time and energy to the game.


However, fate had other plans. A serious arm injury brought Ali Fazal’s sporting ambitions to an abrupt halt, leaving him heartbroken. Looking for a new experience, Fazal signed up for a school play, a decision that would eventually change the course of his life. What began as a way to cope with disappointment soon turned into a passion. He discovered a love for performing and continued acting in theatre productions throughout his college years.

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From theatre stage to global screens

One of those performances caught the attention of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who invited him to audition. The opportunity led to a memorable role in the blockbuster 3 Idiots, where an emotional scene left a lasting impression on audiences. Although his first lead film, Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011), failed to make an impact, the actor found wider recognition 2 years later with Fukrey.

Ali Fazal’s career reached new heights with the hit series Mirzapur, where his portrayal of Guddu Pandit turned him into a household name. Success soon crossed international borders as well. After auditioning for Furious 7 over the phone, he flew to Hollywood shortly afterwards and went on to feature in projects such as Victoria & Abdul and Kandahar, cementing his place as one of the few Indian actors to build a career in both Bollywood and Hollywood.

Ali Fazal latest project

Workwise, Ali Fazal once again received much praise for his performance as Sub-Inspector Jayprakash in Raakh where he puts his all to solve the kidnapping and brutal murder of two teenagers. As the man-hunt for the criminals begin, Jayprakash finds disturbing details of the case that changes everyone’s lives. Raakh, also starring Sonali Bendre, Aamir Bashir, Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Rakesh Bedi, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Anshul Chauhan, Vivaan Sharma and Divya Sharma, is inspired by the real-life Ranga-Billa case.