EXCLUSIVE: Did You Know Ali Fazal Went To Boarding School, Has A Water Phobia?
In an exclusive and heart-to-heart chat with Instant Bollywood, Ali Fazal opened up about his school days, life lessons, and one regret that continues to linger.
EXCLUSIVE: Ali Fazal On Pros & Cons Of Attending Boarding School
Ali’s schooling journey took him to The Doon School in Dehradun. It’s a prestigious all-boys boarding school known for its discipline, tradition, and impressive alumni list. Naturally, the school comes with its fair share of stereotypes. But Ali was quick to clarify that being from Doon doesn’t mean one walks around with an air of superiority.
(Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ali Fazal On His Troubled Childhood – “Had To Grow Up Too Soon”)
“The pros are that boarding school made me self-sufficient. I’m very proud of my school. I know a lot of people say, ‘Oh, you’re from Doon School? Must’ve been really snooty and full of attitude.’ But there’s nothing like that.”
Instead, his time there gave him valuable life skills. The most important one, he says, is independence. Boarding school taught him how to take care of himself, and it’s a quality he still carries proudly today.
It wasn’t just about academics or routine. For Ali, boarding school was a space where he explored all kinds of sports, and he threw himself into every opportunity with enthusiasm. He rattled off a list that could make a professional athlete pause for breath: basketball, hockey, cricket, shot put, badminton, triple jump, 400 meters, 800 meters, cross-country running, and squash.
“It taught me team spirit. There are so many sports people don’t get to play in their lifetime, and I was exposed to all of that. You name it, I’ve probably played it.”
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Did You Know Ali Fazal Had A Phobia Of Water?
Swimming, however, was a different story. He admitted that he had a fear of water for years and avoided learning to swim. But eventually, he faced that fear and learned it later in life. That, he says, felt like a personal victory.
When it came to academics, Ali shared that he was somewhere in the middle. He wasn’t the top student, but he wasn’t lagging behind either. With sports taking up so much of his energy and time, studies sometimes took a back seat. Still, he managed to hold his ground.
Alongside all the physical activities, Ali also picked up a few survival skills, including cooking. Initially, it was just the basics; the kind of quick, no-fuss meals you learn to make when you’re on your own. But over time, that survival cooking turned into something more fulfilling.
He especially enjoys making pulao, and according to him, he does it really well.
Ali Fazal Regrets Time Lost With His Mother
But not everything about boarding school was a bright memory. Ali spoke about one particular downside that still stays with him. Being away from home meant missing out on precious time with family, especially his mother, who was unwell during those years. Looking back, he wishes he had been able to be by her side.
“Now, I regret that time I lost with my mother. She wasn’t well at the time. So I wish I could’ve spent that time with her.”
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