MUMBAI: Bollywood and Hollywood actor Ali Fazal, who will work with British actor Dame Judi Dench in Stephen Frears’ next movie, was so stunned by the offer, that he asked the producer to repeat herself thrice when she called to give the news of his selection.

“I was sitting in a restaurant when I saw a UK number flash on my phone. I went to the ‘loo’ because I couldn’t find any other quiet place. It was the producer and she told me that I have been selected for the film. I made the producer say it thrice. I was so ecstatic about it and got a kick every time she said it,” said the actor.

Ali said that when he first saw Dench, he had a combined feeling of happiness and nervousness. However, the 29-year-old actor touched Dench’s feet when he met her.

“When I was entering the hall, I saw Judi from the window. I went inside, touched her feet and kissed her hand,” he said.

Ali Fazal says though he is a big fan of the veteran British actor, but is not nervous about working with her.

“Acting is one place where I am not nervous. Once the camera is on, it is all about getting it right. It’s not mine or her movie, it’s the whole team’s. The whole atmosphere needs to be right and I will aim at doing it in the right way,” he said.

Earlier in an interview, Ali said that he can’t wait to start shooting with Dench. It was his dream which has been finally fulfilled now.

 “I can’t wait to take on Judi. She is the cherry on this wonderful pudding. The most loved woman of Britain and probably the world. It was a process of endless auditions and readings and conversations and today I am so glad that they grilled fully into it to a point of no return. I am ecstatic and I guess it hasn’t really sunk in. So I will take a bow when I finish my work on the film. The fun has just begun,” the actor said.

The movie titled as ‘Victoria And Abdul’ is based on author Shrabani Basu’s book Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closet Confidant.

Shooting starts in September in Delhi and Agra.