Kevin McGowan, Richard Walsh and Michael lieber play important characters in the forthcoming Tamil-English biopic Ramanujan. They told I Kaur about inspiration drawn from the genius' struggles
Kevin McGowan (as GH Hardy)
Kevin McGowan had a distant recollection of Ramanujan from his Pure Math classes when he was at school. A thorough research made him more interested in the mathematician’s life. “He was a genius who came from nowhere. He was self-taught, struggled against the status quo, received help from unexpected people, travelled to the other side of the world against his own religious beliefs and in a time of war, met a man who recognised a genius in him. They developed mathematics that scientists are using a 100 years later to explore black holes. How could anybody not want to be a part of this incredible story! Plus it was being made by an Indian Production company in English and Tamil,” said Kevin.
He plays GH Hardy a brilliant mathematician in his own right. “He was not as gifted as Ramanujan but he was a man with a formidable intellect who was able to add the element of ‘proof’ to Ramanujan’s work. Hardy also played a guardian while Ramanujan was in England, protecting him and defending him on a few occasions. He was also the person who made it his duty to get Ramanujan the recognition he deserved. He was integral in getting Ramanujan accepted as a Fellow at Trinity College and as a Fellow of the Royal Society. Ramanujan was the first Indian to be accepted as either,” he informed.
Kevin has limited knowledge of Indian cinema but his experience of this film has been great. “I was hardly aware of the Bollywood phenomenon. But I feel its better if Indian filmmakers tell the story of their own country rather than letting British or American backed films such as Slumdog Millionaire give what I believe to be a warped view of India,” he said.
Richard Walsh (as Sir francis spring)
The producers of the film noticed a vague resemblance between him and one of the characters required in Ramanujan and that set the ball rolling.
“The story appealed to me on many levels. It is the true story of a gifted man who has faded from memory and whose tale need to be told. My character Sir Francis Spring is extremely important to this story. It was his realisation that he had a genius in his company that started the process that led to Ramanujan's recognition in English academia,” he said.
Beyond knowing that India is a nation of crazy film addicts and that their output, especially in Bollywood is massive, Richard didn't know much about Indian cinema. “I suppose the success of Slumdog Millionaire contributed to the popularity of India and its films worldwide,” he commented.
While filming, Richard got to know that there were another 76 films in production in Tamil Nadu alone. “That's pretty impressive. I think what is apparent, is that the quality and integrity of the films is moving forward. Hopefully, more meaningful stuff will come in future,” he said.
He also realised that Indian cinema is not just about Bollywood. “After Ramanujan, if anyone wants to cast me as an English aristocrat, I would return to India. I had such a wonderful experience here. Meanwhile I am back on stage in England playing a Welsh monk, and have just adapted a Dickens ghost story which premieres on New Year,” he stated.
michael lieber (as john e littlewood)
When Michael lieber got to know that a production house called Camphor Cinema was interested in casting him for one of their projects, he pulled up his socks and tried his best to be a part of the project.
“When I was introduced to the project the first thing I thought was 'how have I not heard of this man beforeIJ' I have a strong feeling it's really going to contest with audiences. It was a wonderful experience and a privilege to play the mathematician John E littlewood. He was such a powerful and suave individual and an important part of the Ramanujan story once he arrived in England,” he said.
As a film buff, he was always fascinated with Indian cinema. “If I am not mistaken India has the largest film industry in the world. I would love to see more Indian filmmakers branch out to the global market,” he said.