Arun

Rajeev Masand
CNN-IBN

Mumbai: Hollywood star Ralph Fiennes known for Oscar nominated films Schindler’s List and The English Patient is in India for his UNICEF work.

Besides travelling across Maharashtra, Ralph took a closer look at the Bollywood as he hobnobbed with some of the Bollywood stars in Mumbai. The Oscar nominated actor visited the set of Munna Bhai Chale Amerika, watched the exclusive premier of Eklavaya and met actor Amitabh Bachchan.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand, Fiennes said he could relate with the message of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film Eklavya to a great extent.

Rajeev Masand: You have been in India as a UNICEF ambassador and have been travelling extensively across Maharashtra to understand the impact of HIV in the country. Tell us about your experiences in India?

Ralph Fiennes: I have been trying to understand what is being done for the 5.7 million HIV positive people in this country. The level of infection is high with HIV infected people amounting to around one per cent of the total population. Maharashtra is one of the states with the highest number of HIV infected people.

I have been visiting the NGOs, hospitals, councillors and doctors in the rural areas and in Mumbai to see the work that they have been doing. There is little knowledge regarding the issue.

Rajeev Masand: You met Amitabh Bachchan—who is also a UNICEF ambassador like you. Is there anything interesting that you learnt about the Indian film industry?

Ralph Fiennes: I saw a film that is about to release—Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya. I could really identified with the core message of the film, which is about challenging the traditional thinking.

The root of it lies in the myth from the Mahabharata about Eklavya—the archer whose teacher Drona asked him to cut his thumb in lieu of the teachings that he gave him.

Eklavya chops his thumb and gives it away to the teacher, but the point is that he should not have given his thumb. Eklavya should have challenged Drona. Challenging the traditional thinking with rational debate is what the UNICEF is also doing in its awareness campaign in Maharashtra.

Rajeev Masand: Is it purely coincidental that you were drawn to The Constant Gardener, a film about an activist trying to expose a conspiracy surrounding medical malpractices in Africa.

Ralph Fiennes: I was asked this question several times when I was promoting my film The Constant Gardener. As an actor I really responded to that role. It just happened that the context of the story was a territory that I was familiar with. The protagonist and his wife is an activist in the film. It was a wonderful role indeed.

Rajeev Masand: You have been twice nominated to the Oscars for films Schindler’s List and The English Patient. Is the Oscars really the ultimate recognition?

Ralph Fiennes: It is only thought to be so. One of the interesting things is that I come across this question in most countries. Recently in Cuba, I was asked about the importance of the Oscars. I think other parts of the world should perhaps challenge the domination of the Oscars. It can be equally great if an American film wins some award in Asia or Latin America.

I think culturally the Oscar is dominated by the United States. That’s fine, the European film awards can challenge this.

Rajeev Masand: I guess a whole new fan base opened up for you as you played Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). Do the kids recognise you off the streets?

Ralph Fiennes: Well actually they don’t. I am bald in the film, a little more bald than I am in real life. I have no nose in the film. That makes them a little difficult to identify the character I played.

Rajeev Masand: Was it challenging for you do a film such as the Harry Potter

Ralph Fiennes: Every film is a different challenge altogether. But I enjoyed doing it.

Rajeev Masand: Best of luck to you. Hope we see more of you in India.

Ralph Fiennes: Thank you very much.