Ali Fazal opens up about being 'imperfect', missing social events for cinema
Synopsis
Ali Fazal's candid Instagram post about missing birthdays and being emotionally reserved is rare for Bollywood — a star choosing self-aware vulnerability over curated image. Framed around his experience on Prime Video's Raakh, it doubles as an unusually honest look at what creative obsession costs in personal relationships.
Key Takeaways
Ali Fazal described himself as 'imperfect' in a candid Instagram post shared in early July .
He admitted to frequently missing birthdays, celebrations, and social invites due to his absorption in cinema and creative work.
Fazal called his experience on crime thriller series Raakh 'an amazing ride' that prompted personal introspection.
Raakh , inspired by the real-life kidnapping of Geeta and Sanjay Chopra , also stars Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir .
The series premiered on Prime Video on 12 June .
Actor Ali Fazal has described himself as 'imperfect' in a candid Instagram post, reflecting on the personal costs of his deep immersion in cinema and creative work. The actor acknowledged missing birthdays, celebrations, and social gatherings — a pattern he attributed to getting 'lost in dreams and fantasies and cinema.'
What Ali Fazal Said
In the post, shared alongside photographs, Fazal wrote: 'I often forget.. i miss birthdays, celebrations, invites…. I get lost in dreams and fantasies and cinema.. i am not perfect.. but what i am is - strong. I am there and i can listen.' (sic) He also acknowledged being emotionally reserved, noting that he is 'not very expressive with the people i love' but finds quiet, personal ways to make them 'feel witnessed and loved.'
Reflections on Raakh
The post was also a tribute to his experience working on the crime thriller series Raakh, which Fazal called 'an amazing ride.' He described the project as one that prompted genuine introspection. 'Raakh was that kind of a journey for me,' he wrote, adding that 'introspection and self awareness isn't something we are born with — sometimes it takes people around you to do that for you or enable.' (sic)
He also gave a shoutout to designer Vikash Rathod for the suit he wore in the photographs, saying he intends to 'keep wearing it shamelessly.'
About Raakh
Raakh is a crime drama series inspired by real-life events, centred on the tragic kidnapping case of Geeta and Sanjay Chopra. The show also features actors Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir, and premiered on Prime Video on 12 June.
The Broader Picture
Fazal, known for his roles in Fukrey and several international productions, has increasingly spoken about the emotional and social trade-offs of a career in cinema. This post stands out for its unusual candour — a public figure choosing vulnerability over carefully managed image-building. It resonates with a wider conversation in the Indian film industry about the personal toll of creative obsession.
Point of View
Typo-laden, and deliberately unguarded. In an industry where actors typically curate every public statement, choosing to be visibly imperfect is itself a kind of brand positioning. That said, the post is doing double duty: it is also a promotional beat for Raakh, which dropped on Prime Video in June. The question mainstream coverage will miss is whether this kind of emotional transparency is becoming a new currency in Bollywood PR — and whether audiences are learning to read it as such.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ali Fazal say about himself in his Instagram post?
Ali Fazal described himself as 'imperfect' in an Instagram post, admitting he often misses birthdays, social gatherings, and celebrations because he gets absorbed in cinema and creative work. He also said he is not very expressive with people he loves, but finds his own quiet ways to make them feel valued.
What is Raakh and where can it be watched?
Raakh is a crime thriller series inspired by real-life events, based on the kidnapping case of Geeta and Sanjay Chopra. It stars Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, and Aamir Bashir, and is available to stream on Prime Video. The series premiered on 12 June.
Why did Ali Fazal post about Raakh on Instagram?
Fazal used the Instagram post to reflect on the personal and emotional journey that working on Raakh prompted, calling it 'an amazing ride.' He described the project as one that fostered self-awareness and introspection, crediting the team and experience for that growth.
Who else stars in Raakh alongside Ali Fazal?
The crime drama series Raakh features Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir alongside Ali Fazal. The show is inspired by real-life events surrounding a kidnapping case.
What is Ali Fazal known for?
Ali Fazal is best known for his role in the Fukrey film franchise and has also appeared in several international productions. He is currently receiving attention for his performance in the Prime Video series Raakh.
