Talented British Indian stage actor Bally Gill is all set for his first major film role as Dr Valentine in ‘Allelujah’, out in cinemas from next month.
The theatre actor shares screen time with the likes of Oscar-winning Judi Dench (pictured above) in the warm, humorous and deeply moving story about surviving old age.
Gill said of his big screen debut: “All of the actors that I had scenes with have been amazingin terms of their characterisation and dedication to the role.”
Based on a play by Alan Bennett, the film is directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Kevin Loader and Damian Jones.
For Eyre, finding an actor like Gill was immensely important to the production, as he explains: “If a star means somebody who shines brightly in the firmament, Bally Gill is one of those. No matter how good of an actor you are, you can’t fake charm.”
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‘Allelujah’, a Pathé, BBC Film and Ingenious Media presentation of a DJ Films/Redstart Production, revolves around an important subject dominating the news headlines with National Health Service (NHS) strikes.
When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanising the local community. They invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. ‘Allelujah’ celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand.
The film’s powerhouse cast includes comic genius Jennifer Saunders, Derek Jacobi, David Bradley, Russell Tovey and Julia McKenzie.
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The stage production of Bennett’s ‘Allelujah’ premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London in July 2018. Producers of the film invited Cameron McCracken, Executive Producer and Managing Director of Pathé UK, to see the play. They could all see its potential to form the basis for a feature film that could be both entertaining and politically urgent.
*Info: Allelujah
