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 said.

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.