Today in theaters is the yummy new film that you should check out called, The Hundred-Foot Journey. While out in Tinseltown, I had the opportunity to meet and interview the lead actor in the movie, Manish Dayal who plays the role of Hassan. Dayal was very fun to chat with and boy did he keep it real lol! We talked about how it was to meet Oprah, the chemistry between him and model/actress Marguerite and so much more! Check out what he had to say inside!
Do you cook in real life?
So I’ve been getting that question a lot lately. And this is what I would say is no. [LAUGHTER] But, uh, I’ve definitely learned a lot about cooking. And, um, definitely in the movie it wasn’t so much about learning how to cook but more just how to like understand kitchen culture. Because we had to understand how to chop and where to stand and how to move and how to make sure that all of the dishes sort of, uh, were effectively made. And I think like that was sort of the challenge, um, in terms of learning kitchen etiquette and stuff like that for the film.
(My Question) How did you feel about the interracial aspect?
No, it’s very interesting. I– I would have to say two things about that. One, I have no complaints about kissing Charlotte. [LAUGHTER] She’s a French model for God’s sakes. I remember– nevermind, anyway, the second thing– the second part of your question is, you know, it’s funny. I thought about that. But, you know, the one thing that I’ve been really lucky to do in my career is I’ve been able to play, and I don’t know, maybe, I am not sure why this is, but I’ve been able to play an Indian guy in an American experience or in a– in a western experience.
And that’s something really unique for– for south Asians. We’re a very growing, fast growing immigrant community. And I think– one of the fastest actually, economically, socially and so on. But, uh, we haven’t gotten to a point where we are represented in film and TV in– on the mainstream level. So for me it was a real privilege to sort of be a part of that movement because that’s what this is in my opinion that, you know, an Indian and white relationship is something we don’t see all the time.
I– I did it on 90210. And I don’t know many other storylines on TV or in film on the mainstream level that have that. So I’ve been a part of that twice. And I think that it is a reward, and it is privilege. And it also is something that I hope becomes more common. And so all in all they– it was good. It was great. No complaints, yeah.
How was the chemistry between you and Marguerite?
Well, you tell me. [LAUGHTER]
There we go. I think it was hot and spicy off too. Like we– we definitely, uh, became good friends– no, no, no, no, no. [LAUGHTER] What? She, um, I think we did have very good chemistry because, you know, we were friends. Like we just became friends fast because of her sort of sense of humor, which she– she’ll make any joke and she will say any damn thing you can imagine.
And I love that about her. I thought she was just very like sort of off the cuff. And we just laughed a lot, and we became sort of pranksters. And– and it was fun. And so I think that that translated into, uh, into– into– on screen. Also I think what made working with her unique was any time I had a scene with Charlotte I never prepared really. I just knew what I was gonna say. And I understood the tone of the scene and what I need– the objectives and things like that. But, um, I never really– we never worked before shooting because when we were shooting anything it was just like the weirdest things could happen.
And it– we just had to roll with it. And that’s what made our scenes really alive and I think pumped with energy. Um, and with the other actors it was a little more planned. I– I had to really think about the beats and where things moved and how they ultimately– where we’re starting, where we’re ending. ‘Cause with Charlotte it was just– we– there was no– there was nothing. You just sort of– we just sort of did it. But that’s what made it cool.
What’s it like working with Helen Mirren?
She is– well, first I should tell you that she’s hilarious, and she has a very, very, uh, crass sense of humor. And I think that’s something we had a lot in common. So we ended up just laughing all the time. And she was telling me stories about, you know, her– her life and– and how she got started in this business. And, you know, um, and so it was good to sort of, uh, to learn from her. Also when we were working I could see like how she prepares, what her process was like.
And, um, that was also really cool. So it– it was an amazing experience. And she also told me something that, uh, I won’t forget, which was when you pick movies to do you should just pick them based on how much fun you’re gonna have. So I thought that was really good advice. So, yeah.
Did you meet Oprah? And where are you from and how did you start acting?
Ok, wow, these are great questions. [LAUGHTER] Dang! South Carolina is right! That’s where I’m from. Are you– are you from South Carolina? Oh, ok. Oh, you guys– you guys did research? Oh, ok. [LAUGHTER] All right. You’re far smarter than me. Um, I, uh, did meet Oprah. And, yes, she’s really amazing. She’s– all the things that you know about her she’s that much more incredible. She’s, as you know very, uh, giving and– and generous.
But, most specifically, I mean most interesting thing about her is how generous she is with her knowledge and– and her knowledge of the world and how much she did impart and which things that we talked about on set. And, um, yeah, so I did get to spend some time with her. And it’s clear to me, and I think all of you guys, of why she’s connected to this story. I mean this is a story about, you know, [STAMMERS] a displaced family that has to sort of find their way in this new place and sort of overcome all these obstacles culturally, racially, you know, um, in every way.
And it’s a– it’s a real– real immigrant story. And I think that that’s why she connected to it. And these are the stories that she wants to tell. And I think, um, I think she did it. Hopefully. And the next question was–
Where are you from?
I’m from South Carolina. Yes. And, uh, yeah, that’s where I’m from. And then how did I start acting? Well– well, I didn’t go to drama school or anything like that. Like Helen didn’t also– Helen didn’t go to drama school either. So that’s something we– we sort of connected on. But, uh, I ended up doing– pursuing sort of, uh, I– I’ve always– I saw Jurassic Park. I knew I wanted to be in the business. [LAUGHTER] I saw Jurassic Park, and that was it. And– and the minute I saw that movie a light switch went on for me in my head.
And my life has never been the same since. And then I was just sort of obsessed with that movie and the [INAUDIBLE] movies. And I grew up in South Carolina, so literally there was nothing for me else– nothing for me to do but watch movies. That’s what I did. And my mom sort of– my mom, she has a lot to do with, uh, my life. But she sort of, uh, picked up on my interest and an unwavering support my whole life. And she said– she encouraged me to take a film class ’cause I wanted to be a director and producer at that point. I thought I still want to do that.
But I took a film class, and I was just jazzed. And I just was in love with it. And there’s nothing else I wanted to do until someone asked me to be in front of the camera really quickly, uh, for a project, uh, a favor for a friend. And I did that. And it was a really surreal experience, one I won’t forget because I didn’t know what I was doing. I was confused as hell. I felt like I was– I was nervous. And I was– I felt like I was like falling off a cliff or something. I didn’t know what I was doing. But I understood it.
And I felt like I was– I definitely understood it if that makes any sense but also didn’t know what I was doing. And I was having a lot of fun. And so after that I was hooked. And, uh, that’s where I sort of started, you know, on the whole path to be an actor. And so, um, yep!
Fun selfie with Manish, awh!
Stills from the movie photos courtesy of François Duhamel/Dreamworks
In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin-starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren) gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate into a heated battle between the two establishments until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine — and for Madame Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) — combine with his mysteriously-delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Madame Mallory cannot ignore. At first Madame Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.
“The Hundred-Foot Journey” abounds with flavors that burst across the tongue. A stimulating triumph over exile, blossoming with passion and heart, it is a portrayal of two worlds colliding and one young man’s drive to find the comfort of home, in every pot, wherever he may be.
Directed by Academy Award-nominee Lasse Hallström and starring Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal and Charlotte Le Bon, “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is produced by Academy Award-winner Steven Spielberg, Academy Award-nominee Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake. The executive producers are Caroline Hewitt, Carla Gardini, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King. The screenplay is written by Academy Award-nominee Steven Knight, based on the novel “The Hundred-Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais.
“The Hundred-Foot Journey” will be released in theaters on August 8, 2014.
