Entertainment / Interview With The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s Tina Desai

Interview With The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s Tina Desai

Entertainment Feb 18, 2015

by Daniel Pillai

"You can choose to sit at home and worry about your arthritis and resign yourself to misery, or you can accept the circumstances and find a way to live life to the fullest, no matter what."

Tina Desai made her foray into Hollywood films in 2012 with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring opposite Dev Patel in a story that looked at a group of reitrees who find love and a zest for life in India. Fast-forward three years later, now 2015, and Tina Desai is back on our big screens with the film's sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

ANOKHI MEDIA's Daniel Ashwin Pillai speaks to Tina about her experience working on the film's sequel, the development of her character's love story and what she truly feels the film's message is all about.

DANIEL PILLAI: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was your first foray into Hollywood cinema. Now, with its sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, what's the experience been like?

TINA DESAI: The Best Exotic was a complete and utter joyride for me. To get to experience that joy a second time was more than a blessing! Everybody had friends or family visiting them in Rajasthan and also to set, so it became a large family with extended family! It was very intimate!

The script is amazing too! Even happier and frothier than the first and extremely touching and feel-good. The big fat Indian wedding is at the centre of this one and adds to the celebration of life in India. I also danced on screen for the first time!

DP: Sunaina and Sonny's characterization in the film is crucial to the way the narrative plays out. They are the thread that keeps everyone together, and the one that helps keep the business afloat. Their story also connects the youngsters in the films to the elders — bridging the generational gap. How did you prepare for the role … given its more complex nature in this sequel?

TD: I've asked my writer many questions about it and he patiently answered them all, however silly or smart. Also, this film was written keeping the actors in mind, as opposed to the first film, which was written first and cast later. That actor-writer mind-meld that happens makes a huge difference in understanding the job that you're required to do. But mainly, the credit, the writing and direction help you understand how sensitive you must be when playing the part.

DP: Your co-stars in the film are industry stalwarts — from Dame Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy to Lillete Dubey and, in this new edition, Richard Gere. How was the experience working with such seasoned actors, both in Hollywood and Indian cinema, and how have you been shaped both personally and professionally from this experience?

TD: It's like free acting school from the best, for two months, on the job! It's an invaluable experience. The dedication and focus and their genius and creativity are on complete display. They give cues even if they're off-camera, don't use body doubles even if they're in the background and out of focus, keep adding to their performance with every new take they are asked to do, and speak to everybody with equal respect. So many lessons to learn from their passion and dedication and attitude.

Life is a blessing. You should never give up "living".… you will be surprised how much life can offer, whatever the age!

DP: We see the elders in the film all rally around and support the love between Sonny and Sunaina, right up to the penultimate scene when they all come together to celebrate their union in marriage. Why and how was the relationship between Sonny and Sunaina so important to the elders in the film?

TD: I think Sonny's character is incredibly endearing even though he has his head in the clouds and attracts trouble. You can't help but cheer for him or want to look after him. And Sunaina is now working at the Marigold Hotel and has a personal relationship with all the guests. In addition to the stress of a big Indian wedding, she has Sonny's eccentricities to deal with. So it's natural for the elders to want to support her too. Sunaina has a special relationship with Muriel (Maggie Smith) in this one and I think that's great too, as Muriel doesn't really take personal interest in most people's lives at the hotel. They must see the relationship between Sonny and Sunaina as something that gives them hope too.… If these two can work it out with all their problems, then maybe they can find love and a happy ending too.

DP: Certainly the film will create a special place for itself in the hearts of many moviegoers. What do you think the underlying message is of this sequel that differs from the first film?

TD: It reiterates that life is a blessing. You should never give up "living." You can have an active career and love life and have all things going for you if you choose to live that way. Hope and positivity are encouraged. You can choose to sit at home and worry about your arthritis and resign yourself to misery, or you can accept the circumstances and find a way to live life to the fullest, no matter what. You will be surprised how much life can offer, whatever the age. That's a very important message for all ages. To not be afraid of ageing.

RAPID FIRE WITH TINA DESAI

If you could take one actor or actress out on a date, who would it be?
Bradley Cooper. He's hot and fun!

Go-to comfort food on a rainy or snowy evening?
Popcorn or a box of chocolates.

Strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Bombay duck (bombil).

What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate. I don't feel guilty, actually. I just eat it greedily.

Biggest achievement so far?
Whatever I've achieved in terms of work has been pretty darn great! I'm also thrilled I've learnt how to make biryani, live on my own for months out of the country and still be disciplined and defend myself when a mob tried robbing me in Bali!

Three words that describe you?
Honest, ambitious, emotional.

Three must-have style essentials?
Well-fitted denims, a white shirt and black heels.

Favourite movie?
Father of the Bride.

Three things you'd have with you if you were stranded on an island?
A weapon, a blanket and a photo of my loved ones.

^{_{Photo Credits:

Featured Image – The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Facebook)

Stills from film – Fox Searchlight Pictures}}
^{_{World Premiere with HRH PRINCE OF WALES and DUCHESS OF CORNWALL in attendance courtesy of Media Moguls}}

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is in theatres on March 6. Check out the trailer below:

Daniel Pillai

Author

Daniel is the Digital Media Manager for ANOKHI MEDIA and the host for ANOKHI's entertainment channel, PULSE TV. As part of the dream team, Daniel manages all multiple channels under ANOKHI’s portfolio, while also training new on-air talent, and showing budding p...

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