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Actor Sir Ben Kingsley discusses how from a very early age he wanted to become an actor. He was influenced by watching the film Never Take No for an Answer 1951 and also the Hollywood actor Danny Kaye. He talks of how he began, initially auditioning for RADA and shortly after this being cast in his first play. Ghandi 1982 was an epic film directed by Richard Attenborough. Coincidentally when Attenborough first approached Kingsley regarding the lead role - he was reading a book on Ghandi's life. Kingsley goes on to detail Ghandi's eccentricities and the in-depth research he undertook from the vast amounts of archive footage available. He also transformed himself physically prior to filming in India, with thousands of Indian film extras, as no special effects where used during the shoot. Kingsley recalls the huge crowds that came to see and listen to him re-create Ghandi's public appearances, an extraordinary experience that resulted in him receiving an Oscar for Best Actor. Betrayal 1983 based on the play by Harold Pinter is discussed next, with Kingsley being Oscar nominated once again. Bugsy 1991 was his first big Hollywood mainstream film where he worked alongside Warren Beatty. Schindler's List 1993 in which he played the vitally important clerk Itzhak Stern. Spielberg created something 'absolutely extraordinary' says Kingsley - and explains he had to take a year off after filming to recover from the huge grief he felt due to the tragic and overwhelming subject matter. He went on to film Death of the Maiden 1994 directed by Roman Polanski and co-starring Sigourney Weaver who was delightful. Sexy Beast 2000 in which he plated the infamous raging 'Don Logan' - Kingsley felt his character was damaged from childhood abuse and by understanding him he could embrace him. He discusses how much he puts into his performances, expressing 'all of himself' on film, leaving him utterly exhausted. The House of Sand and Fog 2003 a treasured experience playing the character Behrani that was specifically written with him in mind by novelist Andre Dubus. Shutter Island 2010, Kingsley politely asked Martin Scorsese if he could play his character with an English accent, which was accepted. Kingsley's reasoning being that the film examines male vulnerability in a beautiful way, and he wanted one less character layer between him and his fellow actors. The same he felt for the next film discussed Elegy 2008 with Penelope Cruise. He talks of wanting to do more comedy roles as he is perceived as a very dramatic player, people are often very surprised to see him playing a funny character. The Wackness 2008 a low budget film where he loved the opportunity to feel 'careless and blurry'. Kingsley portrays a pot smoking psychologist, polar opposite to most of his roles that demand a very careful and considered performance. The Prince of Persia 2010 a Disney film directed by Mike Newell, Kingsley explains how Newell turned a heavily plot/action reliant film into a character driven story where he got to play the role Nizam - a very bitter and regretful man. Kingsley reflects on his incredibly diverse and successful career, saying it's impossible to choose a favourite character and that he feels very blessed.

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