When I came out as a gay, my life became easier: Ian McKellen

McKellen is here with Shakespeare Lives on Film, a British Film Institute and British Council initiative to commemorate the 400th death anniversary of the Bard

In his first stop on a 10-country tour, actor Ian McKellen engaged in a two-hour discussion with Bollywood actor Aamir Khan at the NCPA in Mumbai on Monday.

Aamir Khan with Ian McKellen in Mumbai on Monday. (Pramod Thakur/HT)

McKellen is here with Shakespeare Lives on Film, a British Film Institute and British Council initiative to commemorate the 400th death anniversary of the Bard.

“Shakespeare introduced me to the world of theatre,” McKellen said. “Shakespeare helps you empathise, because you can’t judge the character that you are playing.”

The mischievous and legendary thespian — now best known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films — discussed the challenges of playing heterosexual love scenes. “I used to feel it is unknown territory,” said the 76-year-old. “When I came out as a gay at the age of 49, my life became easier, including acting.”

The evening ended with McKellen delivering a monologue from the play ‘Sir Thomas More’, the only surviving script to contain Shakespeare’s handwriting.

Read: Aamir Khan dines with Lord Of The Rings star Ian McKellen

Among the excited audience members was the playwright Mahesh Dattani. “It’s a treat to watch a great Shakespearean actor from the time of Laurence Olivier,” he said.

Also in the audience was school student Karyna Atha, 17, who came with her English teacher and some classmates. “We will study ‘Macbeth’ this year and we are hoping we understand how to empathise with him,” she said.

The event also marked the launch of the MAMI Film Club of the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images. In attendance were several Bollywood actors, including Sonam Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

On kickstarting the tour in India

Oh well… I invited myself, actually. On my Facebook page, I have got 5 million followers. There are lots from the UK, the US, and the third largest group is in India. When BFI said they were bringing Shakespeare Lives on Film, I asked could I come.

On Mumbai

There are two ways of getting to know a strange place. One is to walk around and have a look and try to imagine… what it would be like to live [in that place]. At the moment I am trying to figure out what would it be like to work here as a filmmaker and a gay man…

On his relationship with Shakespeare

Shakespeare goes right to the heart of every character. The servants are as interesting to him as the boss. He was brilliant on women and very perceptive on gay people. Whatever part you are, small or large, it is rewarding. You know you have got to be ready for anything with Shakespeare.