I am doing Ang Lee's movie: Adil

Having returned from Taiwan, Adil Hussain talks to TOI about how he bagged the role of Pi���������s father.
On December 11, Calcutta Times had carried an article saying Adil Hussain has been finalized to play Pi���������s father in Ang Lee���������s ���������Life of Pi���������. Back then, Adil was in Taiwan. After returning to India, Adil has confirmed that he has indeed been cast in the movie.Excerpts from an interview with the actor:
How did it all happen?
In October, I had got a call from the Indian casting director ��������� Dilip Shankar. He asked me if I was free and could read out two scenes. I asked him to send me across the script. A day later, I went and read the scenes. Thereafter, I left for Rome for the premiere of ���������Gangor���������. I was asked to stay behind in Rome but I decided to return to India. As luck would have it, I got an e-mail from the American casting director asking me to meet Ang (Lee) in Mumbai on November 6.
How did the meeting go?
It was great. Ang is a very quiet man. He is a great listener. There wasn���������t any particular audition as such. The meeting lasted for some 40 minutes. I talked about acting and life. I guess, he was more keen on observing me than being an active investigator. I returned to Delhi and for a few days, there wasn���������t any news on whether I had been cast or not. Finally, I got a call saying that I had been cast and would have to fly down to Taiwan.
You must have been ecstatic with the news...
Contrary to any expressions of ecstasy, I was quietly overwhelmed. It���������s a dream for any actor to work with a master film-maker. When I heard that I had got the part, I felt blessed. Cinema is a medium dominated by camera, lights and editing. I am a theatre actor and very new to movies. The whole medium of cinema is very different from stage.
You are playing a Gujarati character in the film. How did the rehearsals in Taiwan go?
In one word, excellent. I am contract-bound and can���������t reveal anything. Ang was wonderful. He is so respectful of all the actors.
Though you won���������t reveal anything about your experience of rehearsing with co-actor Tabu, what do you have to say about her as an actor?
She is one of the finest Indian actors of today. I haven���������t ever seen her on stage. Tabu has an amazing graceful presence on-screen. You see the beauty and her attractiveness. She can play a mother and a lover with equal ease.
It���������s strange that while you slipped into Irrfan���������s shoes in ���������Gangor���������, he was also reported to be playing the part of Pi���������s father in ���������Life of Pi���������...
Irrfan is again one of the top actors that India has. I loved his work in ���������The Namesake���������. He was much senior to him at NSD. I���������ve met him only once in my whole life. That was at NSD when I had finished shooting for ���������Gangor���������. I remember telling him: ���������While you walked out, I walked in!��������� I feel funny and strange when I recall these two incidents involving me and Irrfan. He is a wonderful actor.
Are you going to Taiwan for another round of rehearsals?
I have told myself that I am always available for rehearsals. But if I am not required for rehearsals immediately, I will be going to Assam to attend the wedding of my niece.
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