Hugh Grant's Heritage: A Journey Through India and Beyond

Hugh Grant, celebrated British actor, humorously claims to be 'half Indian' due to his father's obscure northern Indian birthplace, possibly now in Pakistan. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Grant reflects on his career, including a memorable 1988 film shoot in Kolkata and experiences with the Merchant Ivory film production duo.

Hugh Grant, the renowned British actor known for his roles in iconic romance films, humorously revealed at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit that he considers himself 'half Indian'. This assertion stems from his father's birth in an obscure northern town on the Indian subcontinent, which Grant acknowledged might now be part of Pakistan.

Recalling his initial visit to India in 1988, Grant shared fond memories of filming 'La Nuit Bengali' in Kolkata. Despite a few cultural surprises and an amusing encounter with a teenage driver named Bishu, Grant expressed his affection for the city's social scene, attending high-society events alongside noted personalities.

Reflecting on his career highlights, Grant reminisced about working on 'Maurice' with the iconic Merchant Ivory team. He praised their unique filmmaking process, characterized by budgetary creativity and personal entrepreneurship, which left a lasting impression on him despite financial constraints during production.

(With inputs from agencies.)