Ali Fazal underground fight club's Mir?
Updated On: 31 October, 2018 08:01 AM IST | Mohar Basu
Ali Fazal uses the pseudonym when battling real-life wrestlers in the interiors of Banaras as part of prep for his gangster act in the web show, Mirzapur
Ali Fazal
If his physical demeanour is anything to go by, Ali Fazal has certainly put in a fair share of toil to slip into his role of a gangster in the upcoming web series, Mirzapur. The actor, we hear, is now referred to as Mir Fateh in the interiors of Banaras, and no, that isn't the name of his character in the show.
Fazal, we learn, used the pseudonym to be part of the underground fight clubs of Delhi and Bhadohi, a task he undertook to do justice to his act. A source tells mid-day, "Ali plays the role of Guddu Pandit, a gangster who is set to take over a lawless land where arms and drugs are traded. Since Ali has not essayed a grey character on screen, he immersed himself into this role. So much so that apart from going through a gruelling physical transformation, he also turned up at underground fight clubs, or 'clans'."
It was Fazal's friend who helped him discover this facet of the city, and the actor began to turn up at the fights in utmost secrecy to understand the techniques of underground fighters. "He even participated in two matches, and landed up bruised on set."
Fazal confirms the news to mid-day, adding that he wouldn't advise another actor to partake in the kind of practice that he did, for the Amazon original. "Shooting for Mirzapur has been scary, yet adventurous. But, I would not recommend this to others. To them, I'd say, 'Try acting and forget the method'." He, however, does admit that the ropes he picked up, like "saving yourself during a fight," helped him enhance his act.
ADVERTISEMENT
Poll
Who will win the Punjab Elections?
Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Trending Stories
Latest Web Stories
Latest Photos
06 August, 2026 08:34 PM IST | In Photos: Hiroshima Day Silent Peace March 2026
Preshit Deorukhkar
17 December, 2025 11:56 AM IST | IN PHOTOS: MLAs at Vidhan Bhavan during Maharashtra Legislative Council polls
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:32 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: People in Mumbai celebrate Gauri Puja during Ganeshotsav
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:13 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: Mumbai witnesses sunny weather as rains take a break
Asif Ali Sayed
Latest Videos
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-day Fast
Latest Headlines
23 August, 2026 09:06 AM IST | mid-day online correspondent
20 August, 2026 09:25 PM IST | mid-day online correspondent
19 August, 2026 07:14 PM IST | Makepeace Sitlhou
19 August, 2026 11:50 AM IST | Test Tushar