Ali Fazal Remembers His Starstruck Moment with Al Pacino
A Memorable Encounter with a Hollywood Legend
Ali Fazal, known for his upcoming role in Mirzapur: The Movie, recently recounted one of the most significant experiences of his career—not on a film set, but as a devoted fan meeting his idol, the iconic Al Pacino. Despite collaborating with numerous esteemed international actors like Dame Judi Dench in Victoria & Abdul, Vin Diesel in Furious 7, and Gerard Butler in Kandahar, Fazal admits that Pacino is the only star who left him utterly starstruck. "The buck stops there," he shared with Variety, reflecting on his encounter with the legendary actor. "Since childhood, I have been chasing that man. I remember listing every one of his films on my hostel wall because they were hard to find. Somehow, I managed to watch them all."
The memorable meeting took place in London at the premiere of Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. Fazal, who was in the city for the filming of Death on the Nile, almost missed the event due to a mix-up with the dates. He realized just 20 minutes before the event started and, unable to find a cab, he quickly donned his suit and dashed to the venue. "It was so filmi!" he exclaimed. His hurried arrival proved worthwhile; as soon as the doors opened, he headed to the bar for water and turned to find Pacino smiling at him. "That was the first time I was genuinely starstruck by someone," he recalled.
Fazal noted that meeting Pacino as a fan was a different experience compared to working alongside other stars. "When you're collaborating with someone, it's enriching because you're focused on the craft. But in this case, I was just a fan," he explained. The two engaged in a conversation, bonding over their shared love for theatre. Fazal shared details about his work, and Pacino responded with enthusiasm. "He has always been a huge advocate for Shakespeare and has an extensive body of work in theatre beyond cinema," Fazal added.
Fazal also admitted that his admiration for Pacino bordered on obsession during his youth. "I would tell my friends all sorts of trivia about him, like how many auditions he had to go through for The Godfather. I was truly obsessed with him." For an actor with a remarkable international career, working with Hollywood giants has become routine. However, meeting Al Pacino remains a unique moment for Fazal, where he was not just an actor but a fan fulfilling a lifelong dream.