Russell Peters was in India this week to shoot for his upcoming Canadian TV series (The Indian Detective), which will see him teaming up with actor Anupam Kher for his first ever leading role on the small screen. The celebrated comedian spoke to BT about why it was essential that the series be partially shot in India and also cleared the air about his love-hate relationship with Bollywood. Excerpts...

Do you share a love-hate equation with Bollywood because you had once claimed that you hate it?
I have a lot of friends in Bollywood despite what people think. Come to think of it, you don't say bad things about people you don't like. However, a lot of times, the message gets lost and twisted.

What's your take on Bollywood and Hollywood comedies?
I haven't seen any (comedy) in Bollywood. So, I can't say one way or the other. Are they making them now? (Laughs) In Hollywood, they are kind of dropping the ball. The truth is, I haven't watched any films in a long time. I watch a lot of documentaries, considered nerdy stuff, which you probably wouldn't associate with me.

What do you love about India?
We were recently shooting at Dharavi. When most of my co-actors went back to the vanity van during a break, I took a walk around. I was amazed by the lives I saw there. There was this little girl, who might not be living the optimum life, but she looked so happy. She made me think that maybe, I am not living the optimum life as well. She kept calling me English Uncle. I have been to many countries and visited underprivileged areas, but they always made me feel uneasy. You don't get that feeling in India. It's the mindset that sets us apart from the rest of the world.

What's your television debut as a leading actor all about?
I play a cop in Toronto, who gets suspended after landing in trouble. When my dad (played by Anupam Kher) gets to know about it, he fakes an illness to make me visit him in India. Once here, I meet a pretty girl named Mira, who lives in the same apartment as my father. She is a lawyer, who works for the poor and the destitute. She thinks I am a detective and asks me to help her solve some case, which upsets the corrupt local police.

Why was it imperative that you shoot in India?
The film was initially shot in Cape Town, but I kept telling the director that he can fake the interiors, but not Mumbai. In a way, I convinced him and the team to come here.