Exclusive interview with Belal Sabir, English Actor

By Jean-Paul Eliard
The 31 October 2025

Hi Belal, I am very happy to do this interview. 

Could you introduce yourself to the visitors of cinema-movietheater.com? 

Hey i'm Belal Sabir, an actor, born and made in the ’80s, based in East London and represented by the magnificent Valkyries over at Capulet.
I play Ali Zafar in Netflix's upcoming Christmas comedy-caper, Jingle Bell Heist.

My passion is creating, whether it is through character, photography, video editing, writing... or attack combos in video games.

What do you like when you read the script? 

When I received the first draft, I read it through twice back-to-back, I enjoyed it that much. 
It really is a story about the underdogs, those confined to the background, the service staff, the often overlooked, the furniture even.

My humour is quite dark, but even the subtle comedy written here had me in stitches, and the character interactions carried an experienced history that really humanised them, and garnered real empathy for their struggles.
That often appeals to me, moments that aren’t spelled out, the small details that reward an audience for paying attention, with an open heart.

And what did you think when you discovered your character, Ali Zafar? 

For me, Ali’s place in life was immediately clear between the lines of the script, an overworked, underappreciated security guard stuck on graveyard shifts; caught in that limbo where nothing feels truly yours. 
Whether by choice or by those stamping his ticket, that tension sits at the heart of his character arc, and that made him so fun to bring to life.

Ali is a man doing his duty, putting food on the table for his family, often at the cost of his own dreams; but never his sarcasm or morals.
His character also became more of an emotional anchor for the story’s narrative arc and themes.

Can you tell us how you got your role? 

I've always approached my audition tapes like short films… 
As a creative, I very much like to direct my own interpretation of the material, and understanding of how it lives and breathes.
What’s special about the character of Ali Zafar is that he was created as a result of that approach. 
I’d originally auditioned for three other characters, and after being cast, I first met our fantastic (and handsome) director, Michael Fimognari on a video call.
Here, we discussed the script and he explained how my audition and casting sparked the creation of Ali, and how the script was expanded around him; an honour that still hasn't faded.

How did you prepare for your role? 

For me understanding the world a character exists within is crucial, not just with what is written on the page; but who they are when not in uniform.

Ali is surrounded by glittering consumerism and constantly under pressure from management, and the vigilance his job demands makes his bonds with colleagues all the more important, often becoming as close as family.
I spent time exploring his colleagues and creating a sense of shared history,

so that in those small moments like helping a colleague, bending the rules without breaking them or offering a sarcastic quip, his heart and loyalty really shine.

How was the shooting with Peter Serafinowicz, Olivia Holt, Lucy Punch...... the director Michael Fimognari? 

I was already a huge fan of Michael’s work with Mike Flanagan, and admired how he helms visuals with striking artistry. 
One of the first questions I asked him when I was cast was who the DOP was if he was directing, he just smiled and said, “You’re looking at him.” 
Michael is one of the kindest and most patient directors I’ve worked with.

He never rushed a scene, communicated everything fluidly with precision, and always checked if we were happy before moving on. 
As an actor I sincerely appreciated that… and his snow boots. 

Working with the lovely Olivia Holt was effortless, she is immensely sharp, kind and responded to my play with instinctive energy that brought our scenes to life. 
Olivia and Conner Swindells also had great chemistry, and I loved watching their scenes. 

Lucy Punch is pure lightning, chaotic hilarity to watch, though unfortunately, we didn’t share any scenes, being on different filming blocks. 
Interestingly, this is the second time we’ve been on the same project but never in a scene together; the first was Bloods: Season 2. 

Peter Serafinowicz is a remarkable creature and fascinating just to observe, he's got such a powerful aura. 
Get close enough, though, and you realise he’s just a big teddy bear, I would hug him if I could reach.

Where is this movie shot and when? 

The story of Jingle Bell Heist is primarily set in a luxury department store, in reality it was an incredible, fully functional set built entirely from the ground up by our immensely talented production design team, housed within the beautiful Victorian Mansion of Avery Hill in London.
It was a huge set, with multiple floors, real merchandise, utility rooms, security office and even a staff break room, everything you’d expect a department store to have. 
The level of immersion was truly indistinguishable from the real thing, especially with the supporting artists populating it as shoppers.
Filming began in October 2023, with my on screen scenes wrapping in February 2024.

Do you watch yourself, when the movie will release on Netflix? 

One of my greatest passions is experiencing the impact of film and the beauty of collaborative creation.

I've never struggled with watching myself on screen, if anything I enjoy seeing the result of so many talented people coming together. 
It's never just about watching myself, but appreciating the incredible work and skills of the individuals and teams behind the camera. 

My wife and I, along with a few close friends, have already marked the date.
Snacks are ready.

When and why did you choose to become an actor? Is it a film, an actor.........? 

I’ve always believed we’re all called to certain paths, some of us just hear the echo sooner than others. Film was indeed the spark, though not in a straightforward way.

As a kid, I’d watch performances that I knew were fiction, yet they moved me because they felt true. 
That’s the power of storytelling, it can touch the deepest parts of your soul that logic can't.
Peter Weller in RoboCop showed me how physicality can speak before dialogue ever does. Before acting, I focused on work behind the camera, studying cinematography, merging music, and design and how all those elements weave into the frame.

Then came Park Chan Wook's breathtaking Oldboy, witnessing Min-sik Choi’s visceral, raw, haunting performance as Oh Dae-su flipped a switch in me. 
I realised I didn’t just want to watch stories, I wanted to live within them and to build characters from my own bones.

What is your next challenge / project? 

I am currently working on a feature film titled Sour Taste, written and directed by the visionary Richard Peter Hunter.

The story explores themes of dementia, grief, exploitation, and the loss of identity through a parallel narrative structure.
It is a deeply personal and emotionally layered piece, and having collaborated with Richard on several previous projects, this one feels especially meaningful. 
I feel there’s a real creative trust between us that allows for raw, honest storytelling.

Looking ahead, one of my long-term goals is to perform within video games.
The fusion of interactive and immersive storytelling fascinates me, where the audience is no longer a passive observer, but an active participant, experiencing stories through motion-captured performance in these living, interactive worlds. It’s an evolution of storytelling I’m excited to be part of.

At the same time, I’m rebuilding my portrait and photography work, weaving in what I’ve learned through taking direction and observing lighting technicians. 
To me, it’s all part of the same language, just told through a different lens.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add? 

I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to you Jean-Paul for this interview and the space to reflect. Your patience and continued admiration for the art of cinema, is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks to my wonderful team for facilitating this connection. 

For anyone curious about my work, behind-the-scenes, or other creative passions; visit beacons.ai/Belal Sabir 

And don’t miss Jingle Bell Heist, streaming Nov 26th on Netflix!
Laughs, chaos, and a little festive mayhem guaranteed.

Thank you very much for your interview Belal, I wish you the best.

More information about Belal, On Capulet, on Instagram and on IMDb.