Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 12, 2015)

Asif Ali Beg, who was last seen in R Balki's Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush-starrer Shamitabh, has bagged an important role in Gurinder Chadha's upcoming period drama Viceroy's House. The actor, who shot for his part in September, essays the role of the Muslim second-in-command to the head Hindu chef, played by Raj Zutshi.

"The two chefs share a great bond. The film showcases the impact of the partition on the viceroy's house staff," says Asif, who also shares screen space with British actor Hugh Bonneville (of Downtown Abbey fame) and Gillian Anderson (The X Files) in the film.

"I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey. When I was offered the role, I couldn't believe I'd be working with the show's lead actor. It was surreal to have lunch and hang out with someone I have always admired." Asif was equally impressed with Gillian, who plays Lady Mountbatten in the film. "She completely immersed herself in the character. It was a treat to watch her perform," he says.

However, his favourite moment from the film was shooting with Om Puri, who plays a blind freedom fighter in the film.

"It was my first scene. We were shooting the engagement ceremony of one of the viceroys house's staff's daughter. Om Sir was supposed to deliver his dialogue and exit the frame but somewhere in the middle, when the servants were dancing, he slyly came in to dance along, thinking Gurinder wouldn't notice him. She had to drag him out of the scene," laughs the actor, who apparently auditioned for his role over the phone while holidaying in Goa.

"It's a beautiful script and I am extremely happy to be a part of it," he says. The actor found an emotional scene with Raj the most difficult to perform. "I could relate to, on some level, how the partition would have impacted the real people of that time," he says, adding that he researched in detail to learn more about his character. "Apart from reading extensively about the partition online, I watched a documentary titled Partition: The Day India Burned. It was such an impactful film," the actor concludes.