Kangana has an acute attention to details: Richard Keep

British actor Richard Keep had an experience of a lifetime, shooting for his first Hindi film, Manikarnika, as General Hugh Rose, the lead antagonist. The 43-year-old actor talks about his memories of the film and also the endless controversies that followed it:

How good was doing your firstever Hindi film?

It was an incredible 18-month journey for me — five trips back and forth to India for this. I live in London, and I’ll get next into the sequel of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent (2014).

How did the film come your way?

Krish, the director, was looking for someone for the antagonist’s role. There’s a casting agency in London and it was only a miracle that Krish saw my headshot, and got in touch with them. I came to the acting game quite late — I was in photography for 10 years, and lived in Paris for a long time after graduating. I was 1617 when I wanted to become an actor, but I didn’t take that route. The desire became stronger only around when I was 26. At 33, I finally decided to give it a go.

Are you satisfied with how your role turned out onscreen?

We were pretty clear going along in terms of scenes, and in regards to the aesthetic and costumes, too. I knew they weren’t making my character look how Bollywood sometimes portrays actors who are not from the country.

Did you shoot with both Krish and Kangana? Are you aware about the first director credit controversy that’s been raging here over Manikarnika?

I shot with both Krish and Kangana. I’ve heard about it (the controversy). I’d say, as an actor, I’m chosen by the makers to tell a story. I can’t get involved with politics — it’s not my position to do that as an actor. I enjoyed working with both. Krish had a spontaneous style, while Kangana has an acute attention to detail. Two different approaches was a good thing.

Do you feel there’s a certain stereotype around actors from abroad working in Hindi films, and Indian actors working in the West?

This was the first time I was called for a film here, and it was a complete surprise. What motivated was the historical significance of this woman’s life. In terms of stereotype of the ‘evil Britisher’, I think it would be interesting to see what comes from this. (People said) the other British characters are so-called ‘cartoon cutouts’. They didn’t do that with my character.

How easy or difficult was it to grasp Hindi?

I had dialogues in both English and Hindi, but my voice was dubbed in the film. It was the producers’ choice. I learnt a bit of Hindi on the go a few days before the shoot, when I got my scenes.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/KEEP_RICHARD Richard Keep played General Hugh Rose (as in inset), the lead antagonist in Manikarnika