Ali Fazal is all set to return with his character of Guddu Bhaiya from Mirzapur, starring Pankaj Tripathi, Shweta Tripathi and Rasika Duggal. The Season 2 of the series will premiere on October 23.
We caught up with Ali, to know more about the upcoming season and how has Guddu Bhaiya changed his life. Excerpts from the conversation:
Do you think the audience will connect to the characters as there has been a gap of 2 years between both the seasons?
I am actually no one to tell that. I think we have all seen the excitement. We have already seen the wonderful fans and the audience, pretty much all of India has kept us relevant for the last one and half years since season 1 came with endless love and memes. There has been a whole meme army for the whole Mirzapur. And so many artists have come out as I see a lot of fanart of our posters. So, I think that's really endearing and overwhelming.
When you signed Mirzapur, did you expect Guddu Bhaiya's character to become a hit?
It's nice to see when as an actor you transform into something and that works. Jab season 1 kar rahe the mujhe pata nahi tha kya hoga. Ye chalega ya nahi chalega as it was an experiment for me. I had to take my hair off, build a huge body but I didn't want people to just see me as somebody who has transformed. I really hope we start seeing actors more than just physical and visual transformations. And it happened. So yes, I am really happy about that and never expected Guddu Bhaiya to be so hit.
Ali, Richa's recent post said that people have seen you play softer parts but Mirzapur took them by a surprise. What do u have to say about this shift in perception?
It's a pleasant shift. Vo kehte hain na actor ke liye amrit hota hai ki aapko aapke shift ke liye appreciate kiya jaaye. I am not someone who has done like 10 superhit films in the past. But it's a good change and stepping stone for me. And I am looking forward to it. As now all the films that I am doing have very different approaches.
Which genre comes most naturally to you?
I think mujhe comedy mein bahut maza aata hai. And also light-hearted love stories as I believe there is no cinema without love.
If Ali was to rule the country, like how Kaalin Bhaiya ruled Mirzapur, then what sort of a leader would you be?
I would definitely like to make the country more democratic. Unlike Kaleen bhaiya, I will try and treat everybody equally. I will go back to the basics of democracy.
If not Guddu, which other character from the series, would you like to play and why?
Rasika Duggal's character of Bina in the show. Not as Ali agar main ladki hota to vo play karna chahta. It's a very challenging character and you will see why in season 2 also. Also, Kaleen Bhaiya's character..
Vikrant is not a part of this season but if his character was carried forward, who do you think between Guddu or Bablu Pandit, would have been a better ruler of Mirzapur?
Bablu Pandit (Vikrant Massey) because he is an educated and peaceful person. So, if he would have ruled Mirzapur then he must have made sure to control violence and brought law and order in place. He was close to his father and as our father is a lawyer, he would have used his expertise. Surely he may have turned out to be a better leader.
Is there anything which you despise in your character?
His impulse and instincts in that context are very dangerous for him. The way he misuses hunger and power, is something I don't like.
How do you feel when you have to convey something in dialogues which you would never say in real life?
It is hard and very unlike me. But that's our job as actors. We love to break our own image and play something else.
Can we expect a Season 3 after this?
For one and half years, I was constantly being asked about Season 2 kab aayega. Ab jaake rahat mili hai thode time ke liye (laughs).
Image source:-Instagram/rasikadugal