Yes, he was this handsome in real life as well!
What could be more fun than chatting with an actor and finding out that they play an amazing chef in a movie yet doesn’t cook much in real life! Having seen the movie, it is clear that Manish is an excellent actor because when you see the movie, you will think he is a master chef on and off the set!
Manish spoke about learning kitchen etiquette: “it wasn’t so much about learning how to cook but more just how to understand kitchen culture. Because we had to understand how to chop and where to stand and how to move and how to make sure that all of the dishes were effectively made.”
Doesn’t he look like he knows exactly what he is doing!
The next question was about how he got involved with this movie. You might have thought they sent out a casting call for an Indian actor, but the real story is far better! Manish was at DreamWorks auditioning for an animated movie when: “I went in and one of the people that sort of first spotted me was Leslie Feldman. And she’s the casting executive over at DreamWorks. And we ended up having this great conversation the whole time we were in this audition, not auditioning just talking.” That night he got a call to come and talk about a different project than the animated movie, no more information was given to him other than that Steven Spielberg was attached to the project, His idol. He did not need to hear anything more!
He shared: “I ended up reading– reading a scene I think 38 times, I must’ve read it trying it every different way you can imagine.” And he kept coming back for four months until he got the job!
Once the filming started Manish said there were many real Chefs on set cooking, Indian and French, but what fascinated me was the travelingthey did for the movie: “we traveled through about four kitchens in the movie. We begin in India. And then we go to a classic French kitchen in the south of France. And then we move to a molecular kitchen in Paris.”
And of course we had to ask about Same Helen Mirren:
“First I should tell you that she’s hilarious, and she has a very, very crass sense of humor. And I think that’s something we had a lot in common. So we ended up just laughing all the time. And she was telling me stories about her life and how she got started in this business. It was good to learn from her. Also, when we were working, I could see how she prepares, what her process was like. So it was an amazing experience. And she also told me something that I won’t forget, which was when you pick movies to do you should just pick them based on how much fun you’re gonna have. So I thought that was really good advice.” That was my favorite moment in the interview, Miss Mirren giving such simple and awesome advice to Manish!
We also asked how Manish got into the business. His answer was Jurassic Park! He saw the movie and knew this is what he wanted to do. Like Helen, he did not study acting, and he ended up in front of the camera accidentally as a favor to a friend. That was the moment when his interest in being a Director or Producer, turned into a desire to act!
Manish’s co-star in the movie is Charlotte Le Bon, who plays Marguerite. The natural question we had to ask was about their chemistry, because the affair that blossoms on screen is, well, delicious! It slowly simmers like a stew!
“We became good friends. I think we did have very good chemistry because, we were friends. Like we just became friends fast because of her sort of sense of humor, she’ll make any joke and she will say any thing you can imagine. And I love that about her. I thought she was just very off the cuff. And we just laughed a lot, and we became sort of pranksters. And it was fun. And so I think that that translated on screen.”
“Also I think what made working with her unique was any time I had a scene with Charlotte I never prepared really. I just knew what I was gonna say. And I understood the tone of the scene and the objectives and things like that.” And that is where good chemistry comes in, not that they were ad libbing, just that they developed a way to work through the scenes naturally. That is how it comes across in the movie.
Lastly, what’s cuter than interviewing an actor about cooking haute cuisine as a native Asian Indian, and finding out that his moms grilled cheese, cooked in his native North Carolina, is his favorite food!
Feel free to check yesterday’s full movie review on the blog as well!
Disclosure: Disney invited me on this press trip and paid all of my expenses. No other compensation was received. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest.
Synosis
In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin-starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award® winner Helen Mirren), gets wind of it.
Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate into a heated battle between the two establishments until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine – and for Madame Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) – combine with his mysteriously-delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Madame Mallory cannot ignore. Madame Mallory eventually recognizes her culinary rival’s gift as a chef and takes Hassan under her wing.
See this great movie!
THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY Opens Today!
Facebook
Twitter (#100FootJourney)
Pinterest
Instagram
Tumblr
100FootJourney.com
Zippy says
I want to stand next to him again….
Terry says
You get to do some of the BEST interview. How lucky you are. He is a doll!!
Jenn @TheRebelChick says
This looks like such a fun film with a great message. I can’t wait to go see it!
Betsy Mitchell says
Yep, he is handsome. Still jealous of all of your interviews while in LA!
Liz Mays says
Well look at you getting all chummy with the celebrities. I loved the part where you talked about Helen Mirren’s advice to him and I love knowing that she’s crass. lol
Janel (A Mom's Take) says
It’s always fun learning more about the actor and how they were picked for the role. Thanks for sharing Mitch.
Virginia @thatbaldchick says
How funny that he doesn’t cook. He certainly looks like he’s a pro.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
This movie sounds really cute. I am looking forward to seeing it.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
How fun! I love reading all about your experiences! This looked like a great event! I’m looking forward to seeing the movie, hopefully I can go see it 🙂
Melinda says
daaayuuum, he’s handsome. I haven’t see too much about this movie . I love the cast though
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
How awesome that you got to meet him! Yes, he is a handsome fella!!!! Love the pic of you two!
Dawn says
I’ve really been looking forward to this movie. It sounds like a real “feel good” flick. Manish Dayal is a plus as well, I’m not gonna lie.
Veronica says
This is a great interview. It must be great being in the company of some of these talented actors you get to interview
Debbie Denny says
Amazing man. Wonderful opportunity you had to learn more about him and the movie.
Chrysa says
Oh, my. I would have been all fluttery at that interview! I really loved this film – it’s so gorgeous!
Felicia says
He does look like he knows exactly what he is doing! What an awesome opportunity.
Carly from The Puzzled Palate says
I have heard a lot of buzz about this movie! I really need to be sure to take a girlfriend out for the night:)
Shell says
I can’t wait to see this one! So funny that Helen Miran has a crass sense of humor- you’d think she would be so proper!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
I really can’t wait to see this movie. And not just because the star is so incredibly cute 🙂
Rosey says
After coming back for four months, I’m glad he got his happy ending. And I’d feel the same too, if someone said Spielberg was involved, I’d be all-in. 🙂
Jennifer says
I completely understand what he is saying about kitchen etiquette. The chef’s on The Food Network make chopping and searing look so easy but when you get in the kitchen and try to chop like they do.. yeah it doesn’t happen so easily lol.
Christie says
He was great to interview! I think he has an awesome future ahead!
Everyday Living with Chrys says
He really is a cutie! I am getting more and more excited about seeing this movie. I might have to write a little review on my foodie site.
Lauren says
I loved meeting him and hearing about his excitement for the film. He is such a handsome guy!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Wow he is good looking!! Looks like a good movie!!
kristin says
Your photos are so great, can not wait to see this movie!!! Great interview.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I can not wait to see this movie. It sounds like it is going to be fantastic.
Janell Poulette says
I haven’t heard much about this movie. Thanks for the great information.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets says
I want to see this! Looks like a great film.
Brett says
What a great opportunity. Looks like an interesting movie.
Rachael says
Thanks for sharing. I really want to see this movie. Hopefully I’ll see it next weekend.
Shannon Gosney says
Sounds like you had a great time! Love the pictures.
Camesha says
You’ve been getting some great interviews. I really want to see this movie. Looks like it’s going to be good.
Krystal's Kitsch says
Everyone is raving about this flick! I’m going to have to head out to see it.
Mommy2jam says
I love, love love this movie! It was the best so far.
Karen Propes says
I can’t wait to see this movie, he is cute also. This looks so interesting from all the trailers I have seen. So funny about his native North Carolina – as a North Carolinian myself I love grill cheese too, (of course with bread and butter pickles.) Thanks for a great review.
Donna Jacoby says
I had not heard about this movie but it sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Linda Manns Linneman says
This had to be a great experience for you. This young man is handsome and I find it interesting that he did not have any acting classes. Thank you for sharing this experience. Have a great Thanksgiving