Ali, Freida come together for Oz festival panel on crossover cinema
Actors Ali Fazal and Freida Pinto — two Indians who have done crossover cinema and worked with Western filmmakers — might not have shared screen space, but they’re set to share the stage at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
They will talk about doing notable work in Hollywood and cinematic techniques. Freida has worked in films such as Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Rise of the Planet of Apes (2011), while Ali has been in Fast and Furious 6 (2013) and Victoria & Abdul (2017).
A source says, “Both Freida and Ali will be sharing their views and opinions on the topic, the challenges and the need to overcome the stereotypes associated with being a non-American actor working in the West. Freida is flying in from Los Angeles.”
Ali is thrilled to share his experience of doing his first Indo-British film, in which he plays an unlikely friend to Queen Victoria. He says, “It’s always interesting to talk to people of different countries and backgrounds. It gives you great perspective. This, in fact, is my first time to Australia, and to get a chance to interact with film lovers and film students about crossing over is exciting — there’s so much to talk about.” He adds, “During the promotions and postrelease of Victoria & Abdul, when I spoke to people of such varied backgrounds, everyone had such interesting ideas about cinema and its role. So, I’m looking forward to doing this discussion alongside someone as talented as Freida.”