Glad I said yes to 'Khamoshiyan': Ali Fazal

New Delhi: Breaking away from his boy-next-door image Ali Fazal will be seen in the role of a brooding lover in his upcoming 'Khamoshiyan' and the actor says he is happy to have accepted the film as he feels it has come to him at the right time.

The 28-year-old actor, seen in light-hearted films like 'Fukrey', 'Sonali Cable', 'Always Kabhi Kabhi', will be delving into the thriller genre with this Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt-produced movie.

"It is a different role for me. Yes, it is not the boy-next-door that I have done so far. I play a lover, a drunkard writer, who is on the edge of exploding. The entire story is from his eyes.

"I didn't make any effort to do a different kind of film. I didn't give much thought to it. The role came my way. I didn't think I wanted to do this kind of film. I was shooting for 'Bobby Jasoos' when I was offered 'Khamoshiyan'. The director (Karan Darra) narrated the entire script over the phone and from that day to today there has been no looking back," Fazal told PTI.

Besides role reversal on-screen, the actor has undergone a personality change thanks to producer Mahesh Bhatt, who is also the presenter of the film.

"Mahesh Bhatt has changed me a lot. I used to be very held back with my words. He has made me open up. He has taught me how to say what comes to my mind, just as he does. I have in a way become much more upfront and I like the new side of me," he said, adding that the filmmaker was a great mentor on sets.

'Khamoshiyan' also stars TV actor Gurmeet Choudhary and Sapna Pabbi and will hit theatres on January 30.

Fazal said that contrary to the general notion, the film is not an erotic-horror movie but a genuine love story weaved into a deep, psychological thriller.

"The rumour is that the film is an erotic horror, it is not that at all. It is a love story. We have not used any gimmicks, no jarring sounds. We have used a lot of silences. It is a psychological thriller," he said.

Fazal will also be seen in Hollywood film 'Furious 7', which is the seventh installment from the 'Fast and Furious' franchise. The actor has already started promoting the movie in India, which is heading to theatres on April 10.

"I participated in a drag race in Aamby Valley City to promote the film. There will be other promotional activities in which I will take part. But the team is keeping it low-key in honour of actor Paul Walker (who died in 2013 in a car crash)," Fazal said.

The actor has another movie with Vishesh Films and a Pooja Bhatt-produced project opposite Richa Chadda.