Ali Kazmi to feature in Netflix adaptation of Funny Boy

KARACHI: Shyam Selvadurai’s coming-of-age novel, Funny Boy, is getting a Netflix adaptation and will be released this December, reported Variety. Set in Sri Lanka, the 1994 book narrates the story of a young boy who is deemed ‘funny’ by the people around him due to his sexual orientation. Shot in Colombo, the Funny Boy film explores “Tamil protagonist Arjie’s (Arush Nand/Brandon Ingram) sexual awakening from a young boy, deemed “funny” by disapproving family, to a teenager enamoured by a male classmate, just as political tensions escalate between the Sinhalese and Tamils in the years leading up to the 1983 uprisings — violence that led into a 26-year civil war,” wrote Variety.

To one’s surprise, our very own Ali Kazmi, who last appeared on the big screen in Baaji, is an integral part of the film’s cast. The actor took to social media to announce the news.

He will be seen alongside Ingram, Nimmi Harasgama, Agam Darshi, Seema Biswas, Rehan Mudannayake and Shivantha Wijesinha. The movie is being directed by Deepa Mehta.

Speaking to Cutacut, Ali Kazmi shared that the other actors are from Srilanka, India, Canada, England and the USA! “I’m the only Pakistani and that too a lead in the film playing the Appa – the father of Funny Boy! Lots of hard work, research and physical/ mental transformations went into developing the character. I learnt how to speak Sinhalese, Tamil and British/Colombo English Accent! Delved into the history of the country and the people and the 1983 Riots and civil war! Lots of fun but lots of burden on the shoulders to portray the character as realistically and honestly as possible,” he maintained.

In the social media post, Ali revealed, “It’s a film based on the critically acclaimed novel Funny boy, it’s relevancy transcends time, race, religion and cultures. It puts up a mirror to reflect the human condition. It takes a lot of hard work, literal blood sweat and tears to bring a film to life and I’m so proud to be a part of this ones journey! There’s nothing Funny about #Funnyboy ! I can’t wait for you all to experience it December 10th, 2020!”