00:00So, tell me a little bit about the audition process.
00:02How did you hear about the project?
00:04Well, I was literally sitting like this with a friend of mine,
00:07with a business associate.
00:09And, yeah, she just, she told me about this thing happening.
00:12It happened last week.
00:14That's what she said.
00:15She said, they're done with it.
00:17Why don't you try?
00:18Really?
00:19Yeah.
00:19So I went and I called the casting.
00:21I said, well, there's no harm.
00:23I'll record it on my phone.
00:25I recorded two scenes.
00:27And I remember it was the first talking scene in the study
00:32and the last scene, the deathbed.
00:35And, yeah.
00:37So what attracted you initially to the character?
00:40Well, just the fact that this was a story about a man who,
00:45it wasn't very different from the times today, you know.
00:48It's a man who goes to another country.
00:51You know, he's an immigrant.
00:52He's trying to rise up the ladder of opportunity.
00:55And make the best of it.
00:57And somewhere along the way,
00:58he finds this wonderful woman to befriend.
01:02And there's something very, very spiritual that takes off there.
01:06Yeah, absolutely.
01:07I mean, it is such a fascinating story how it all happens.
01:11Did you do much research after you got cast in the role?
01:14Well, I mean, yes.
01:15I mean, the real work began then.
01:17Right.
01:17It wasn't just my research.
01:18I think it was just a collaborative effort of, you know,
01:22Consolata on the costumes and Alan on the art department, you know,
01:27just unconditionally helping me go through this
01:30and get through the whole process and build something,
01:34sort of flesh out Abdul in whatever way we could.
01:37And, of course, have a little part of me in it
01:40because I'd just be lying otherwise.
01:43Right.
01:45Like, hello, we're big on the royal family.
01:47So, I mean, how much did you know about them before filming?
01:50Like, are you more interested in them now?
01:52You know more about Queen Victoria's backstory?
01:55Well, I mean, oh, no, I've known about Queen Victoria and her, you know.
01:58I've watched the movies.
01:59Sure.
01:59You know, we've all watched the movies.
02:02And, yeah, yeah, it's a bit interesting.
02:04Obviously, in the film, your chemistry with Judi Dench is just amazing.
02:08Did you guys hit it off right away?
02:10How did you meet?
02:11Oh, we met for lunch.
02:13Oh, really?
02:13It was like a lunch date.
02:15And it was almost like a set-up, right?
02:18Like, everybody set this lunch up for us.
02:19Sure.
02:20And we're meeting for the first time.
02:22It's almost like an Indian marriage.
02:24You've never seen the girl before.
02:27And, yeah, it was my fanboy moment.
02:31It was lovely.
02:32I think she broke the ice very well.
02:33We shared notes in India.
02:35She loves India.
02:36She's been there in two parts.
02:39Marigold Hotel.
02:41Oh, of course, yeah.
02:42And, yeah, and then we just, we were on about the film.
02:46And how was she like to film with?
02:48Because she always seems like a very funny woman.
02:50She's so funny.
02:51But she is.
02:52She's hilarious.
02:53Yeah.
02:53I mean, she walked in on set and just, we'd be in splits.
02:56Because she just has such a great sense of humor.
02:59That sounds like a lot of fun to be had.
03:01That's a great cast.
03:02Yeah, but it was so beautiful.
03:03I mean, like, they made it easy for me.
03:05But I remember the one thing she said was, I asked her, I said, you know,
03:09I've got to ask you because I've got to ask you.
03:12You're you.
03:13And she said, well, just learn your lines.
03:16Don't bump into furniture.
03:18Sure.
03:18That's it.
03:19And that was, I think, the best advice.
03:21Sound advice.
03:23I think the scenery in the film especially is just so beautiful.
03:26Like, some of the scenes are really breathtaking.
03:28What for you were some of the more amazing places that you filmed?
03:32Well, I mean, on this film?
03:35God, I mean, everywhere.
03:36Scotland, we began with Scotland.
03:38So it was just this wonderful thing.
03:41But then there was the Osborne House, Isle of Wight,
03:45which was the longest time we spent.
03:47It was three weeks in that palace.
03:48That was gorgeous.
03:49Gorgeous.
03:50It was beautiful.
03:51I think that's when it really hit us, all of us,
03:53that this is a true story because it happened right here.
03:56She died in those rooms, one of those rooms.
03:59And then, you know, Ham House and so many other places.
04:04You're a huge Bollywood star, obviously.
04:06Do you have your sights set for Hollywood now?
04:08What's up next for you?
04:09Well, not sightsepping.
04:10I think, you know, it's home.
04:11I've just wrapped up another film,
04:13which is due for release in December.
04:16It's called Fukre.
04:19And, yeah, I'm looking forward to some exciting stuff on this side.
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