Adil Hussain: I'm admirer of people who break free from all kinds of shackles
Mumbai, June 13
Actor Adil Hussain, whose film '52 Blue' is set to be screened at the upcoming edition of the London Indian Film Festival, has shared what made him give his nod to the film.
The actor spoke with IANS, and shared that he always looks for the story of an underdog, who breaks free from the challenges and carves out his own path.
The actor told IANS," I have always been a big fan and admirer of people who would like to break free from all kinds of shackles of circumstances to fulfil their dreams. I'm one of them. And I had tremendous affinity as a fellow human for those who come from a very underprivileged background, and who'd like to be a rebel and defy all kinds of norms and hurdles of society and economical conditions and all that. I immediately was drawn to the storyline. The storyline was also very interesting because of the fact that it is set in India, then this boy goes to, you know, Qatar to meet Messi".
He further mentioned, "And the innocence of this boy, who thought, 'I would like to meet Lionel Messi' because his elder brother, in the film, was a big fan of Messi".
"And that is a good enough storyline for me. And the role was of the father who had fulfilled his own dream being a dancer, which is not a very easy thing to do. In those days, in a society in Kerala, who had been a Bharatanatyam dancer, as a man, a Bharatanatyam dancer, there are challenges there. So he's also had been a rebel. But because of a tragedy, he decided to stifle the dream of his son. And that contradiction I have grown up with", he added.
London Indian Film Festival is set to be held from July 9 to July 19, 2026.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The bit about being a Bharatanatyam dancer in Kerala and the societal challenges really hits home. My own cousin faced similar resistance when he wanted to pursue classical dance. It's slowly changing now, but these stories need to be told. Adil Hussain brings such authenticity to these nuanced roles. London Indian Film Festival is doing great work showcasing such content.
I admire how Adil Hussain consistently picks roles that challenge conventional narratives. The way he talks about "breaking free from shackles" resonates so deeply - especially in a country like India where social and economic circumstances often determine one's path. This film sounds like another meaningful addition to his filmography. Also, the Messi connection is pure innocence - kids have such beautiful dreams! 💫
It's refreshing to see an actor who doesn't just do commercial roles but genuinely cares about the story. Adil Hussain is right - the most compelling narratives often come from underdogs fighting against the odds. And I appreciate that he acknowledges how even well-meaning parents sometimes stifle dreams due to their own past traumas. That's a very real and complex human emotion that deserves more exploration in Indian cinema.
While I admire Adil Hussain's artistic choices, I sometimes wish these indie films got wider theatrical releases in India rather than just festival circuits. So many meaningful stories remain inaccessible to the average moviegoer who only gets big-budget masala films. That said, kudos to him for staying true to his craft. Will definitely look out for 52 Blue when it streams somewhere.
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