Ali Fazal says one can't get cynical in the industry and lose empathy, as the moment an actor thinks he is too smart for people, it reflects on his characters.
The "Mirzapur" actor said he constantly tries to not let complacency and over-confidence creep in.
"You can't get cynical here. A lot of people after a long time tend to become that and lose empathy. The moment you think you're too smart for yourself, for everybody else, it reflects in your characters as well. It's the look in the eyes that knows it all," Ali told PTI.
"That's something I can't have. It's a constant fight to keep learning. If sometimes not here, I step out of my box and I try to be heavily delved in the West, grasp as much as I can there," he added.
The 32-year-old actor said he has reached a stage in his career where he has realised that every time he is pushed out of his comfort zone, he does his best work.
"I'm hungry for good directors to push me. I've noticed when I'm pushed out of my comfort zone, things work for me. Like 'Mirzapur' and 'Victoria and Abdul.' It's also about taking risk on somebody like me who has a very mixed image."
"Sanjay sir makes it a point to keep the actors very comfortable. He's a very giving actor, which is rare from his generation. They both are giving. In my shot, Jackie sir told me where to stand according to the light so that it'll make me look sharp."