At a prominent gathering in New Delhi, celebrated British actor Hugh Grant shared a surprising personal connection to the Indian subcontinent, revealing family roots that trace back to the era of British India. The revelation came during his appearance at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, where the 64-year-old star engaged in a candid conversation about his life and career.
A Surprising Family History Unveiled
Grant disclosed that his father, who served as a soldier, was born in British India in 1928. The actor recounted the challenge of locating the birth certificate, which pointed to a now-obscure town in northern India. "It may well be Pakistan now," he noted, reflecting on the post-Partition changes to the map. With characteristic wit, Grant smiled and concluded, "He was born in either India or Pakistan. I guess that makes me half Indian, really." This personal anecdote forged an immediate and warm connection with the audience, highlighting a historical link many were unaware of.
Nostalgic Memories of Filming in Calcutta
The actor's ties to India are not merely ancestral. He fondly revisited his first visit to the country in 1988, when he traveled to Kolkata, then known as Calcutta, to shoot the film La Nuit Bengali (The Bengali Night). Grant humorously admitted the movie was "very arty" and had a limited release, joking that "I had to pay to see it myself." Despite the film's commercial performance, his recollection of the experience was overwhelmingly positive. He described it as a profound culture shock that he nonetheless "absolutely loved," painting a picture of an enriching personal and professional journey during his time in the vibrant city.
Embracing the Darker Roles: From Rom-Coms to Villains
Shifting focus to his evolving filmography, Hugh Grant reflected on his deliberate move away from the romantic lead roles that made him a global heart-throb. He expressed a distinct lack of confidence in those earlier parts, stating, "I wasn't confident being a romantic leading man. I need a big mask." In contrast, he finds deeper satisfaction in the complex characters he has portrayed in the last decade and a half. "I have been much more confident in the last 10–15 years being killers and freaks," he revealed, a point lightheartedly underscored by moderator Rahul Khanna, who reminded him of his role as the Oompa Loompas in Wonka.
Delving into his approach to playing antagonists, such as in his upcoming film Heretic, Grant shared his key philosophy. He argued against simply playing "the badness." Instead, he focuses on finding the character's heart and history. "What happened to make them that way, and then you play someone who has no idea they are bad. That makes it more interesting than a moustache-twirling baddie," he explained. This nuanced perspective on villainy offers insight into the depth he now seeks in his performances, marking a significant and intentional evolution in his acclaimed career.
