“Working on a play in London was all consuming and exhausting. I needed literature to help me relax. So I went to the library and picked up two books, one of which was an illustrated biography of Gandhi," he said.

Kingsley was thrilled when at the same moment Attenborough called him announcing that he had found the money to bank the film.

Hell-bent to succeed

Describing how he got the part before even doing a screen test, the actor revealed recently that he was frightened but determined to get the role.

"My time to prepare for the film was also minimal."

He repudiated the news which stated that he had devoted two years to the script and read 27 books.

The actor also claimed that, “The key ingredient that led to the film's success was the fact that there was "absolutely no computer-generated imagery. All the actors were aware of the unconditional love they had to display on screen and never lost sight of the target,"

"I practiced yoga in the morning that helped keep my mental focus and energy levels high. In the evenings I did my shoots and in the night I took spinning classes," the latter ha claimed he learnt since he preferred to actually learn to spin than fake it on an electric spinning machine.”

Commenting further on Indian cinema, the actor voiced his opinion on most of the movies.

He said they were “character driven and not plot driven."

Kingsley also pronounced the fact that "Every single character tells a story on screen.”. A story should comfort and explain. It's not around to serve the actor's ego."

Tips for actors
He expounds that it is essential for every actor to emerge tremendous or to win a scene in a film.

Kingsley advises actors who have no formal training to be make sure the scene triumphs.

"A character should be allowed to tell the audience a story. The camera hates acting and loves behavior. You can't film or act out charisma; it depends on you and the attitude of the people around you."

However he stresses that the camera be placed at the right angle.

And what makes his performance unforgettable, as the master craftsman states – "I give every part my all and at the end of a film, make sure there are no traces of the character left within me."