By Hemisha Morarji.
“I welcome all gifts and messages I receive from my fans…”
The teen idol makes his fourth screen debut following an impressive music career with hits like ‘Channo’, ‘Rangeen’ and Chal Dil Merey’. A composer, song writer, singer, actor, painter and model, the hugely talented star made his first acting appearance in 2010’s Tere Bin Laden. But Ali has not left music behind, for he penned the score to London Paris New York, using Pop influences in the London scenes, Electronic Sufi in Paris and Blues Rap in New York.
While we chat down the phone, Ali discusses proving his cynics wrong, why his fans are important to him, as well as his co-star’s “beautiful voice”…
Your character Nikhil is a posh kid studying Film Making using his dad’s money. Can you tell us a little bit more about your character?
My character wants to be a director, since his father is a Bollywood director. He’s very confident that he can make his own film and that it would become a huge success. It is this confidence that contrasts with Aditi’s character, who is a lot more down-to-earth and this difference not only brings them together, but also sets them apart.
How did you prepare for the role?
I don’t really prepare for roles. I read the script and I discuss with the director how we can improve it, as well as add to it. Just basic preparation.
What attracted you to the script?
It was a very interesting script. It’s a love story about two people coming together and the dialogue was very fresh and well written. There’s nothing but conversation in the entire film and it is very important to me that the dialogue is interesting enough to have the audience engaged.
The film deals with pain and heartbreak. What are your views on pain and heartbreak?
It’s a part of life. Pain is the other side of pleasure and we all go through it. It’s important that we experience all emotions in life; otherwise life would be very dull.
What was it like working with Aditi Rao for the first time?
She is wonderful. She’s very hardworking, with a beautiful singing voice. And yes, she’s very relaxed and chilled.
You contributed a lot to the music of the film. How did that come about? Were you asked to write the music?
Yes, I was. I wanted to write one or two songs for the film. When I made the tracks,
I approached the producers about the possibility of having them featured in the film. Luckily they really liked them and they wanted me to write all of the songs for the film!
Can you tell us about the soundtracks?
They’re all very different. Because the film is set in three different cities, I got to play around with the sound and feel of the songs. The songs featured in the London scenes have a young vibe because the characters are younger in that part of the film. But as they get older, the sound becomes a lot edgier, especially when tensions are mounting in their relationship. So I made the songs around the situations.
You are a musician, composer, song writer, singer, actor and model. How blessed do you feel to be so multitalented?
I am very lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to do all of these different jobs. As an artist, I am able to express myself through all of these different mediums.
Apparently a friend told you that you would never make in it Bollywood because the industry would never cast a Pakistani in a lead role. Did it feel good to prove him wrong?
Yes! (laughs)
You have a huge following in Delhi and you gave a live performance in front of your fans there. Do you ever get any strange gifts or messages from your admirers?
Yes, I get gifts all the time from my fans. They are all very interesting and I would not say any of them are strange. Everyone has a different way of expressing themselves and because of my fans’ love; I am here where I am. I welcome all gifts and messages I receive.
What is one of the biggest selling points of the film?
The film is very different. It is set in three beautiful cities, and the way the actors speak and the way it is directed is all very fresh and feels very natural and real. It is the first time in a Bollywood movie that the lead actors are singing their own songs. I’ve written all of the lyrics and it’s been great making this move from being a singer to an actor.
Out of London, Paris and New York, which city did you enjoy shooting in?
I enjoyed New York and London, both cities were great. But because of the language barrier in Paris, I couldn’t relish it in the way I was able to in the other two cities.
What would you like to say to our Asian World readers?
I’d say keep reading and watch the film because you’ll enjoy it!
