Imtiaz Ali confirmed that his film 'The Idiot of Istanbul,' starring Fahadh Faasil, has been officially shelved. Speaking at the Jagran Film Festival, Ali revealed that while the collaboration was planned, it did not materialize. However, both remain eager to work together in the future.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's announced film The Idiot of Istanbul, headlined by actor Fahadh Faasil, has officially been shelved. The director confirmed the development at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai.
Speaking at the festival, Ali shared that while the two were meant to collaborate on the film, the project did not "materialise". He added that Faasil and him are in touch and are both keen to work together.
Addressing the press at the festival, Ali said, "I want to work with Fahadh Faasil. We tried to do one film together but the project did not materialise. We are in touch with each other, and I think that, 'dono taraf hai aag barabar lagi hui'. At some point of time, I will have the pleasure of working with Fahadh."
During an earlier roundtable with The Hollywood Reporter India, Ali had announced this collaboration with the actor, sharing then that while the film would not be his immediate next project, it was a film he had hoped to make for some time. He shared, "It might not be my next film, but yes, I have been trying to make this film for a long time. It is called The Idiot of Istanbul."
When asked if the film he was talking about would star Fahadh Faasil, Ali laughed and added, "Yeah, I would love to do this; I plan to make this film with Fahadh. But when it will happen... that's not really confirmed. We have to figure it out, it might not be the next one. "
Had the film gone ahead, it would have marked Fahadh’s first leading role in a Hindi-language production.
Imtiaz Ali’s most recent release was Main Vaapas Aaunga (2026), starring Vedang Raina, Diljit Dosanjh and Sharvari. The Main Vaapas Aaunga team—Imtiaz Ali, Sharvari and Vedang Raina— are reuniting for a project, as Ali has reportedly locked his next directorial venture, billed as an untitled romantic-drama that is set to go on floors this November.
Fahadh Faasil, who works primarily in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries, marked his first leading role in a Telugu film with Don't Trouble The Trouble, which released in theatres earlier this month. He was also seen in Idhayam Murali and Patriot this year. Faasil's next leading role, Karate Chandran, went on floors this month.