Sir Ian McKellen on his first visit to India, charmed audiences in a two-hour chat with actor Aamir Khan at NCPA in Mumbai on Monday night. The actor was here to take part in the MAMI Film Club, an off shoot of the film festival to mark Shakespeare’s 400th death anniversary as well as to inaugurate the 7th edition of the Kashish Festival, India’s only mainstream LGBTQ festival. McKellen is best known for his performances in Lord of the Rings as Gandalf and, in X-Men as Magneto, especially among the younger audiences.
The British actor discovered Shakespeare at the age of nine and soon began to take part in its production. He recently launched an app called ‘Heuristic Shakespeare’ to introduce the bard to a younger generation. Speaking to his audience at NCPA yesterday, McKellen said, “the worst way to discover Shakespeare is by reading it.”
The actor has in the past as well reiterated the importance of learning Shakespeare on stage rather than in classrooms.
McKellen got a brilliant reception from his fans in Mumbai when he got down to chat with Aamir about Shakespeare. The actor also enthralled the audience with his quick wit.
On Why We Need Shakespeare Today
McKellen draws a lot of inspiration from Shakespearean plays and he told the audience that, “If you want to know what men of power are like, Shakespeare writes about that and shows you.”
He said, “Shakespeare writes about situations which are melodramatic, which makes him relevant today.”
On Aamir’s Show Satyamev Jayate
McKellen also had some nice things to say about Aamir Khan’s show Satyamev Jayate. “I’m in awe of your show,” is what he is said to have confessed to Aamir.
On LGBTQ Rights in India...
Ian who is also an LGBTQ rights activist, mocked India’s Article 377 of the Penal Code and in the same regard said, “India needs to grow up. It does not need to follow British laws anymore.” The actor revealed that when he came out as gay, at the age of 49, his life became easier, including his acting.
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