Omid Djalili

The Infidel is a forthcoming feature film starring possibly the most famous British-Iranian in the World - Omid Djalili. Written by David Baddiel, The Infidel tells the story of a Muslim man, who through a sequence of events discovers that he was actually born Jewish. We caught up with Omid and talked to him about all things film and comedy. The below are excerpts from our conversation.

Film-News.co.uk So Omid, what kind of response are are you looking to achieve with The Infidel?

Omid: There is an indication, from events like the Mu-Jew event (a Muslim & Jewish Unity event). Four hundred people came down. No Fatwas! Nothing but very very positive response, which is what you need for a film like this. The film is about a Muslim who finds out that he’s a Jew, Muslims are interested because when that happens, they know they have to find their real genetic code. And how he does it, is very interesting. In the sense that he denies it. He’s quiet about it. And had he talked about that aloud, it would be been better. So, it’s a very interesting process. And we think it’s a very funny one. The reaction from the crowd was tremendous.

FN: So Omid, my father is from a generation that...well, let’s say... are slightly xenophobic. Not the biggest fans of Jewish people. How do I persuade them to come to the cinema with me and watch the film?

Omid: Well I think you should tell them – ‘How would you feel if you found out that you were Jewish?’ That’s why it’s dramatic to let them see how someone would deal with it.

FN: So nothing deceptive?

Omid: (laughs) I think, most people, when they do films about Muslims and Jews or any other different culture clashes, it’s usually about the differences. This is a film that celebrates the similarities. All religions are basically different chapters of the same book. So let’s look at the similarities, let’s look at where people unify. I think the news, the media, the way they sensationalise things tend to keep people apart. With the film, we’re trying to bring people together.

FN: So this film is coming on the heels of The Mummy, Gladiator and a few other roles. Is this the start of a transition away from comedy and into film?

Omid – Well judging by my performance today, I think definitely a departure from comedy would be welcomed by the whole country (laughs). No, I think it’s just one of those things.

The Infidel hits UK cinemas on April 9th.

View the interview clip above.

To celebrate the release of British comedy THE INFIDEL (written by David Baddiel and out in UK cinemas on 9th April), Tuesday 2nd March, will see British comedian Omid Djalili launch a national search to find out Which Religion is Funniest?

Omid invites members of the public to upload their religious jokes via Facebook (infidelmovie.com/funniestreligion), where people will then be able to vote for the joke they find the funniest. The religion with the largest number of votes will be crowned ‘The Funniest Religion.’ Meantime, the tellers of the most popular jokes will be invited to perform them on stage with Omid and David Baddiel at the film’s premier, to an audience of comedy and film VIPs.