Naveen Andrews Talks About "Easy" and "Bride and Prejudice"

"Easy" explores the real world of love and romantic entanglements, with Marguerite Moreau portraying a young woman who has bad luck in relationships. Naveen Andrews plays a sexy, sensitive Anglo-Indian poet in the romantic comedy, which was written/directed by Jane Weinstock and has had strong showings on the festival circuit.

Trained at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Naveen Andrews is making a name for himself both in films and on TV. Currently co-starring in the run-away hit TV series, "Lost," Andrews won praise for his role in Anthony Minghella's "The English Patient" and Mira Nair's "Kama Sutra." In this interview, Andrews discusses his character in "Easy" and his work on the Bollywood-style musical, "Bride and Prejudice."

INTERVIEW WITH NAVEEN ANDREWS ('John'):

Are you into poetry?
Oh yeah, I love poetry.

What type of poetry interests you?
It varies. I suppose out of the English poets I read regularly, I suppose Louis Macneice would be one. Harkins, Ted Hughes… I used to read a lot of Sylvia Platt but it’s so f***ing depressing. Once you get over 30, that kind of self introspection isn’t so attractive anymore.

How immersed in that world are you, or is it more of just a passing interest?
Oh good God, no. I’m not an academic, but I’ve always loved poetry since I’ve been small. Just because I never went to university doesn’t mean you can’t read, although I do feel a bit uneducated from time to time.

How do you make sure you don’t portray this character as a caricature?
I think any actor should be aware of where they’re starting to stretch into what’s not truthful. I think what we all strive for is to achieve that kind of truth in whatever you’re doing. In the same way, I thought Brian was approaching a character who, I thought if played by any other actor, they would have played the fact that he was a comedian on the television. Brian didn’t do that. It was a much more serious, guarded character that had nothing to do with the fact that that’s what he did for a living.

Why does someone’s history with one person overpower the potential for a great new relationship?
I think people return to what they know. The unknown is always frightening. I mean, look at what happened with the election. I just can’t believe it. I think fear of the unknown.

Was showing up at the hospital selfish or an act of genuine concern?
Oh, I think he was genuinely concerned. It’s far too late. For me, at least, when I read the scene, there was something slightly pathetic about it, turning up that late, flowers in hand. I hope that’s what comes across in the film. It should be pathetic.

Does he know how he’s pushing her, or is he oblivious to the impact?
I think when people are thinking about themselves first and foremost, and what they need, the other party and their feelings about being pursued or obsessed over come a very sad third, probably. I think one of the reasons why love, or even notions of love, can be so debilitating is that the main character is themself and how they’re feeling.

The sex scene was very intimate, really naked and not even under the sheets.
Well, it’s like any other scene that I’ve done where I’ve been naked in the past. You just take your clothes off and you do it just like if you had clothes on in a scene where you were talking in a café. It’s whatever the work requires.

But so many movies cover it up. Was it to make it more realistic, like you’d see real people together?
Yeah, it wasn’t even a question. It was treated the same as any other scene. For that reason, I hope the film has a European flavor to it, even though it was shot in the states. There’s never any question of these sorts of things when we’re in Europe. But there’s a slightly puritanical strain in American society, I think. We got rid of those people on the Mayflower in the 17th century.

Was the character written to be Indian?
No, he was written as a Caucasian young person called John.

Was he even British?
No, not at all. I think one of the reasons why I was pleased to do it is because it’s one of those rare times where things aren’t defined by race or anything as boring as that.

Was there ever any talk of making him more Indian?
Not at all, because I am Indian, but I was born in England. And obviously I’m talking to you now…not like the geezer on “The Simpsons.”

PAGE 2: Naveen Andrews on Filming "Easy" and His Role in "Bride and Prejudice"

Interview with Naveen Andrews on "Lost"