It was in 2010 when Oscar-nominated actor Rosamund Pike dropped all the modern life crutches to experience the culture of India for the first time in an Ayurvedic treatment centre in Kerala. And that experience continues to stay with her till date. “I was writing a travel article. Actually, it was one of the most interesting experiences of my life. I went with my partner, very early on in our relationship, which was probably (which led to) people saying, ‘you did what?’,” shares Pike without naming her boyfriend with whom she took this detoxifying trip.

However, she does admit that it had a positive impact on the relationship. “In the second week of our relationship, we went to the hospital together. It was an amazing beginning,” she adds.

Looking back at her time in the country, the 42-year-old reveals, “We had all our possessions taken away from us on arrival. We were just given this pair of white pyjamas. So, we were really stripped to our complete essential selves, with no phones, none of the crutches of modern life, no caffeine, no cigarettes and no alcohol.”

For the former Bond girl, it was really an interesting experience. “The Ayurvedic philosophy is very good in supporting all kinds of things, from health to creativity to (helping with) writer’s block. I was really drawn to that,” shares the actor, last seen in web series The Wheel of Time.

“I have met a lot of Indian people with whom I had fascinating and interesting conversations. I feel there’s a lot of deep thinking in India. I have witnessed it. However, I feel I know too little about India, but I would love to go back,” she asserts.

Pike emerged onto the scene in 2002 as a Bond girl with Die Another Day. She followed it up with films such as Pride & Prejudice (2005), Gone Girl (2014) and Radioactive (2020). She has once again picked a strong character of Moiraine in the fantasy world of The Wheel Of Time, based on Robert Jordan’s novels.

Opening up about it, she says, “A lot of fantasy that we have seen consist of predominantly male worlds. They have the odd, unusual female character who rises and falls with might and power. Here, women have the ability to channel different strengths in different areas.”

Pike feels it is exactly what makes the story relevant. As for having that sort of gender balance in the industry, the actor adds this is one of the “many ways to go about it”.