Actor Ali Fazal has opened up about his creative camaraderie with wife and fellow actor Richa Chadha, saying the couple has never chased a particular image or conventional career arc, choosing instead to follow characters that linger with audiences. Speaking from Mumbai on 3 June, the actor framed their shared philosophy as one rooted in instinct, patience, and the unpredictability of the craft.

A shared creative compass

“Richa and I have always been actors who are drawn to good characters first. For us, it's never really been about fitting into a certain image or chasing conventional paths it's always been about finding roles that challenge us and stay with the audience,” Ali said. He added, “I think we've both been very fortunate in that sense.”

Characters that broke out of the screen

Pointing to two of the most quoted figures in recent Hindi screen memory — Richa's Bholi Punjaban from the ‘Fukrey' franchise and his own Guddu Pandit from ‘Mirzapur' — Ali said such roles transcend their narratives. “When you look at something like Bholi Punjaban from Fukrey or Guddu Pandit from Mirzapur, these are characters that have gone beyond the screen and become a part of pop culture,” he noted. “That's a very special feeling as an actor, because it means the audience has truly connected with what you've created.”

Respect for the process

Ali underlined that he and Richa share a mutual understanding about the choices each makes. “We both respect the process and the unpredictability of this profession. Sometimes it's about taking risks, sometimes it's about being patient, but ultimately it's about honesty in storytelling,” he said. The actor believes longevity in the industry hinges less on hits and more on relevance — “success, but relevance that lasts beyond the moment.”

What's next: ‘Mirzapur — The Movie'

On the work front, Ali is gearing up for ‘Mirzapur — The Movie', locked for a 4 September release. The film extends the universe of the streaming series that follows Akhandanand ‘Kaleen' Tripathi, the crime boss who rules the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The big-screen outing marks a significant pivot for a franchise that built its cult following on long-form streaming.

Why it matters

For a film couple often spotlighted as much for their off-screen partnership as their on-screen choices, Ali's remarks reframe the conversation around craft over celebrity. With ‘Mirzapur — The Movie' approaching release, the actor's emphasis on character-led picks signals what audiences can expect from the next chapter of Guddu Pandit's arc.