by LAUREN CODLING
A NEW “gripping” action thriller paying tribute to classic 1980s films such as Die Hard will debut in cinemas on Friday (7).
Final Score tells the story of a terror attack in a football stadium packed with 35,000 fans.
Starring Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista as a former soldier who uses his skills to protect innocent people, the film is packed with explosive stunts and action sequences.
Amit Shah, 37, plays the role of Faisal in the film. A steward working in the arena, Shah revealed his character is “out of his depth”, as disaster hits.
“Faisal has to question if he is going to take risks and defend innocent people or be a coward,” Shah told Eastern Eye. “But he steps up and grows as a character. It’s similar to real life and the choices you have to make.”
Describing his character as “comic relief” in the film, Shah revealed he was lucky to have such funny lines.
The London-born actor admitted to having a personal interest in comedy, so playing Faisal came to him naturally. “It was a real joy to deliver the lines,” he said.
Previously, Shah has starred in Channel 4’s Crashing and the BBC dark comedy Stag.
Filming Final Score for just over six weeks was an exciting experience for Shah, especially as he was able to work alongside Bautista. Working with the American actor was a personal highlight, Shah recalled, and they developed a great chemistry.
“You believe [Bautista’s] character and the situation he is in,” Shah said. “He is a real talent at the moment and he has some great comedic skills.”
The actor believes the film works on the level of an action movie with ambitious stunts and fight sequences, but “it runs deeper than [just action]”. He said the themes explored in the film included loss, isolation, sacrifice and stepping up when it was needed.
“I haven’t seen many other films which are made with such a good script and style,” he added. “It is a great tribute to old 80s and 90s action films, such as Die Hard.”
Shah also commented on the scale of the production, admitting it was one of the more enjoyable aspects of filming. Since he performed some of his own stunts, he looked forward to rehearsing them every day.
“They did give me a stunt double for some sequences and ironically, he had been my stand-in twice before, unbeknown to me,” Shah revealed.
“It was great bonding with him.”
Looking to the future, the actor will be starring along critically acclaimed stars Liam Neeson and Leslie Mansville in Normal People. The Belfast-set film is due out next year.
“It was a lovely experience,” he revealed. “It was great to work with Liam and Leslie, they are absolute pros.”
Final Score is set to be released in UK cinemas on Friday (7). Sky Cinema customers have exclusive access to see it on Sky Cinema on the same day.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)