Slipping into the role of a filmmaker in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Milan Talkies, Ali Fazal navigated his way to many a editing tables of 2018's films. "Three," to be precise, he tells mid-day, adding that while "iconic", he cannot reveal their names, lest he "discredit the editors".

Fazal understood the importance of editing in the filmmaking process early on in his career. "Actors act. Directors direct. But, filmmakers helm the entire show. My experience on working on various sets [web shows and films] helped me understand how to play my character, Annu. But the real challenge was understanding the mind of a small-town filmmaker."