Sir Ian in conversation with Aamir Khan in Mumbai.
Highlights
- Sir Ian is known for his role in Lord of The Rings and X-Men series
- He has played Richard III, Macbeth and Iago from Shakespeare's plays
- Aamir Khan also has a Shakespeare connect
New Delhi:
Monday isn't normally this special. This week began with Sir Ian McKellen visiting Mumbai and, specifically, chatting with Aamir Khan about everything
from Shakespeare to
being homosexual. Sir Ian is now beloved across generations as Gandalf from the
Lord of the Rings films and the older Magneto from the
X-Men franchise. But the 76-year-old actor built his career playing Shakespeare on stage - particularly lauded were his performances as Richard III, Macbeth and Iago.
Aamir, 50, also has a Shakespeare connect - his breakout film
Qayamat Se Qayamt Tak was based on
Romeo and Juliet.
Here are five big quotes from Sir Ian McKellen from Monday's masterclass:
On his sexualityBeing a gay man at a time when it was against the law, it did inhibit me. When I had a love scene with a girl - if it had been with a boy I would have been fine.
On Section 377Presumably they had to pass it because there was so much homosexuality around. I've seen the statues!
On Romeo and JulietWe've all fallen in love and probably with the wrong person. Juliet's father was trying to organise an arranged marriage. (To audience) You know what that means.
On how Shakespeare handles politicsShakespeare shows that the Kings, the Presidents, the powerful are frail. He shows us that they should be challenged and questioned
On IndiaFirst thing I heard of India was 1947. We celebrated in our house. Gandhi was revered. Second thing I knew was Shakespeare-
wallahs.