”Loud work and loud perception has its place, but I’ve always believed in letting my work speak for itself”: Ali Fazal as Raakh earns audience acclaim

Ali Fazal is currently receiving widespread appreciation for his performance as SI Jay Prakash in Raakh, a character that has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. As the film continues to gain momentum, many viewers have noted how different Jay Prakash feels from the actor’s popular portrayal of Guddu Pandit, a role that has become deeply associated with him over the years.

While Guddu Pandit remains one of Ali’s most recognised performances, the actor believes that his journey has always been about embracing diverse characters and building a body of work that reflects different shades of storytelling, rather than being defined by any one role.

Reflecting on his career choices and the response to Raakh, Ali says, “For a long time, I was told in different ways that I didn’t fit the mould. Sometimes it was about the kind of films I was choosing, sometimes it was about my personality, and sometimes it was simply because I wasn’t following a particular formula that people believed worked. I genuinely admire people who wear their ambition on their sleeve and celebrate their work loudly, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Loud work has its place. But over the years, I’ve realised that every actor has their own journey. Mine has always been about staying consistent, choosing stories I believe in, and trusting that the work will eventually find its audience. Some characters reveal themselves gradually, and I’ve always been drawn to those journeys.”

He further adds, “I never looked at it as a struggle against anything. I quietly kept building something that I would be proud of. Whether it was independent films, international projects, commercial cinema or long-format storytelling, I wanted every experience to add another layer to me as an actor. The audience today is incredibly aware and open to different kinds of stories. They’re willing to invest in characters that feel honest and authentic, and that’s something I find very encouraging.”

“But as an actor, you also hope that the audience will come with you when you step into a very different space. Jay Prakash exists in a completely different world. He is observant, patient and carries the weight of responsibility differently. The fact that people are discussing him and connecting with him tells me that audiences are open to embracing different kinds of heroes and performances.”

Ali believes that over the years he has consciously built a parallel cinematic identity alongside some of his most popular mainstream work. “What’s encouraging for me is that characters like Jay Prakash are creating their own space. I never wanted my career to be defined by only one role, no matter how successful that role was. If Guddu represents one side of my journey, then characters like Jay Prakash represent another side that is equally important to me. I’ve always wanted to move between different worlds and genres, and when audiences embrace both, it gives you the confidence to keep exploring as an actor.”

With Raakh continuing to resonate with audiences, Ali Fazal’s portrayal of SI Jay Prakash has further reinforced his reputation as an actor who seamlessly balances mainstream appeal with layered, character-driven performances, while continuing to build a filmography defined by versatility, authenticity and a commitment to meaningful storytelling.