The Bollywood star of BBC1’S epic reveals five secrets from the set

1 My character Saeeda Bai is a courtesan – a high-class prostitute – and I researched their world before playing her. Like many such women, she came from a long line of courtesans; the life was picked for her. Her mother would have made sure she spoke English because of the British in India. She could have had a rich life doing something else.

2 The series is adapted by Andrew Davies from Vikram Seth’s 1993 novel – at 591,552 words one of the longest ever published in a single volume in the English language. It’s been whittled down to six episodes, but I think it works well. Vikram would often come on set and would give a little nod when he was happy.

3 One of the things I most loved about the job was learning to play the harmonium [pictured, above], a type of organ which Saeeda plays. I also got to sing beautiful classical songs. There was always music playing on set – it’s a big part of the show.

4 While Saeeda Bai’s home is very beautiful, you can see hints of how it is actually her prison. They’re hard to explain but if you look closely you will spot them. She is stuck in her beautiful jail, there is no way out for her. She can’t control her life, which is just about being interesting to men.

5 My favourite part was going to the costume department. It’s important for Saeeda to look the part and every day I’d get to choose from these great outfits. They are made from the finest materials and are wonderfully colourful and exotic. I felt very much at home in those clothes. Saeeda is definitely the most glamorous character in the show.

Tabu as Saeeda Bai with Ishaan Khatter as Maan