After his Hollywood period drama film Victoria and Abdul last year and Happy Phirr Bhaag Jayegi recently, Ali Fazal is currently shooting for Sanjay Dutt’s Prassthanam and Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ambitious film Milan Talkies opposite south sensation Shraddha Srinath.

Ali will be seen playing the role of a young and ambitious filmmaker in the latter film. The actor is a fan of classic movies and in each interview he quotes various actors and directors from both Hollywood and Bollywood cinema. He has often mentioned that he has always been inspired by legendary Indian filmmakers like Rishikesh Mukherjee, Sai Paranjpe and Satyajit Ray, although Guru Dutt is his favourite actor and filmmaker of all time.

Guru Dutt was considered a man ahead of his time; he was one of the greatest icons of commercial Indian cinema. Ali, who is also penning his short film currently and will soon begin directing it, has drawn inspiration from Guru Dutt for the same where the actor worked on his versatility as a writer, actor and a director on his pet project.

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His film will be an ode to the ace filmmaker and he is even using some of Guru Dutt’s characteristic traits in his upcoming film Milan Talkies. The actor aims to bring different aspects of the auteur’s work through his short film and his role.

“It was his fervour to do more than just acting that I’m just inspired by. He was someone who achieved fame through acting, directing and producing. It takes a lot to find success of this kind. The legend he has left behind is something unmatchable and the aura is something that truly is inspirational. So for me to be inspired by him is something I truly do hope I can channelize even a bit of it.”

Now that's really wonderful. Don't you think so?