Ali Fazal Reflects on Filming his Entry Scene in the Film “Kandahar”: “That Was One of the Most Challenging Shots I’ve Ever Been a Part Of”
The Hollywood action-spy thriller film, “Kandahar,” featuring Gerard Butler and Ali Fazal, showcases numerous action sequences with intricate stunt work. Among the various stunts performed by Ali, one particular scene stood out as exceptionally difficult, surprisingly being his opening shot in the movie.
Recalling the filming of this challenging stunt, Ali Fazal explained, “During the shooting of ‘Kandahar,’ I vividly remember filming one of the most demanding scenes, which, I believe, turned out to be the most iconic shot for me – my entry. It involved a thrilling sequence where a sleek chopper flies over a seabed. Just before it lands, I have to open the door and jump out, swiftly entering a running van. We speed off, and as the van reaches a valley, I transition onto a bike. The van halts, the back door opens, and the bike awaits, requiring me to swiftly mount it and ride off. However, the challenging part was dismounting the moving bike on the sandy surface while taking a turn and rushing off in the opposite direction.”
Ali Fazal went on to elaborate, “This was probably one of the toughest shots I encountered in the film. The continuous sequence demanded precision and focus, especially while maintaining balance and stability on the moving bike on the sandy terrain, which undulated like waves. Despite the difficulties, the experience was exhilarating. On the big screen, it translates into a visually stunning scene, and I’m extremely pleased with how it turned out.”
“Kandahar” is a major Hollywood production with an estimated budget of $70 million. Alongside Gerard Butler and Ali Fazal, the film stars Travis Fimmel, Tom Rhye Harries, Farhad Bageri, Olivia-Mai Barret, and Navid Nagahban. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, the movie was released on May 26, 2023, and received mixed reviews. In the film, Ali Fazal portrays the character of Kahil Nasil, a villainous Pakistani agent and ally of the Taliban.
