Alice Patten speaks softly with an endearing feminine charm and an elfin grin that suggests a protected upbringing. A graduate from Cambridge, with a degree in modern languages, she is happy to have taken up acting although, the life of an actor, like that of a politician is public, unreliable and is constantly being judged.

She spent five months in India working with Aamir Khan for Rang De Basanti and thoroughly enjoyed the Bollywood experience. Prior to Rang De… she had acted in several plays in London such as, Nicholas Wright's Vincent In Brixton and more famously, Cigarettes And Chocolates, directed by Anthony Mighella, maker of the Oscar-award winning film, The English Patient. Alice is also the youngest daughter of Lord Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, before it was ceded to the Chinese. Positive about the modernity and dynamism of Hong Kong, she recalls the tears and Prince Charles fixing her a stiff gin as they sailed out on Britannia, in 1997.

Personally… "I don't think having a well-known father helps me get roles, though it may attract interest."

Another Bollywood blockbuster..."Not immediately, but if something new and challenging came up, I would be open to it."

I always wanted to be…"an actress but kept it secret for a long time even though I enjoyed acting in my school plays."

Bollywood..."was a fabulous experience even though it was a little chaotic and they have a different way of working there but they have immensely talented people who achieve results."

Rang De Basanti..."was my first feature film with a lovely buddy theme to it along with strong inspirational messages. The film crew was fantastic and I was glad that they made me feel at home straight away."

I visited... "Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Punjab and absolutely loved Jaipur. It was my first time in India and I never realised how diverse each area is with its culture, food and mannerisms."

I was lucky..."to have found a friend in Soha Ali Khan. We later realised we had other friends in common too. As we toured the country, the director, Rakeysh Mehra, introduced me to the culture of each region."

Presently..."I am acting as Ophelia in the West End play, Hamlet, in London. The movie industry is an increasingly global work force and I don't want to plan too much in my life, I want to be open to new things coming my way."