Abdullah Ali receives rare Palestinian medallion from the Imam ul-Mulk Family during India visit
(RAHNUMA) Hyderabad, May 14 — Saudi Arabia’s first International Actor, Abdullah Ali, who portrayed the late His Majesty King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in the acclaimed feature film Born A King, arrived in Hyderabad this week for a series of high-profile engagements.
Ali was discovered by Oscar-winning producer Andrés Vicente Gómez during casting for Saudi Arabia’s first-ever international commercial feature film. Under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Agustí Villaronga, Ali was handpicked to portray the young King Faisal, marking the first cinematic depiction of an Arabian royal in a global production.
Following the release of Born A King, the film enjoyed tremendous success, holding the #1 box office position across the Gulf Region for several weeks. It was celebrated as “the most successful film ever produced in the Gulf.” In recognition of his performance, Abdullah Ali was awarded at the 2019 Sharjah International Film Festival by His Highness Sheikh Saud Al Qassimi and festival director Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qassimi.
While in Hyderabad, Ali met with various dignitaries, sports promoters, and members of the erstwhile Royal Family of Hyderabad. A private dinner was hosted in his honour by the Imam ul-Mulk Family at their ancestral residence in Asif Nagar. He also visited the headquarters of The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily, where he met with Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Nawab Omer Draz Khan.
In a significant gesture, Abdullah Ali was awarded a rare gold medallion by the Imam ul-Mulk Family from a series originally presented to the late Imam ul-Mulk III, His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The medallion commemorates the 2012 proclamation of an independent Palestinian State at the United Nations and is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in cultural diplomacy.
On receiving the award, Ali thanked the Imam ul-Mulk Family for the recognition and hospitality and also made sure to thank his mentors notably His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal for selecting him to play the role of his late father.
