"[On the casting of Michael Bates, a white actor, as the Indian bearer, Rangi Ram] At the time we found it impossible to find an Indian actor who could perform the role, to be perfectly honest [Query from the interviewer, Stuart Jeffries: "In a country of 500m people?"] Yes. But Michael was ideal for the role. He was born in India, spoke fluent Urdu, had been an officer in the Gurkhas and he'd served with the Chindits behind Japanese lines in Burma."