How did you learn such good Hindi?
Although I was born in England and grew up in London, I visited Mumbai often and studied there for some time when my parents moved to Nigeria to start a business. The business did not work out and they moved back to England. They are teachers now. I learnt many lessons from them, and the importance of self-discipline and facing adversities without becoming bitter or anxious.
What was your early acting experience like?
I have been lucky. I got a good part in the film East is East and got to work with great actors such as Om Puri in that film. The movie was a very big hit in England. I believe it did well in America, too. I was then approached by Gurinder Chadha for Bend It Like Beckham, which was a great experience. That film was a hit across the world.
You have also done well at film festivals.
At the Berlin Film Festival, I received the Shooting Star Award 2005 for a film called Yasmin. It is a small film but it has received very good reviews and been shown at many film festivals. It is about a British-Muslim girl in the post-September 11 era. To play the lead role was a dream come true. And now I have this film, which is another important career move for me.
How did Mighty Heart come to you?
I had a small part in director Michael Winterbottom's Code 46. I got a call from him little over a year ago and he wanted to know if I wanted to read a script. When Michael calls, I drop everything and meet him. I read the script and I knew there was just no way I do anything else.
Did you know Angelina Jolie was going to be in the film, and that her companion Brad Pitt was going to be one of its producers?
Not at all. I think the producers of the film (A Mighty Heart) did not want to announce it right at the start. Perhaps they did not want to answer too many questions about Angelina and Brad and their involvement in the film until they (the couple and filmmakers) were ready.
And when you heard the news.
I went like, Oh, my God! It was like this: Is this really true? Am I going to be really working with Angelina Jolie?
Also Read: Irfan, Jolie and a Mighty Heart
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