‘I’ve grown up eating Indian food’: Christian Bale on movies, playing Batman and his love for samosas

Known for taking on varied roles and making them believable, often losing or gaining several kilos in the process to transform himself, Christian Bale, is seen in a unique avatar in Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle. The actor, who wears his Batman tag with pride, takes on the character of Bagheera in the Netflix film, which is not only directed by Andy Serkis but also stars him. This version of the beloved childhood tale is closer to Rudyard Kipling’s original, more realistic and dark, as it takes audiences through Mowgli’s (Rohan Chand) journey. Bale, who was in the city recently for the Indian premiere, talked about preparing for the role and what excites him as an actor.

What are your earliest memories of The Jungle Book?

I had read it in school, but I was never a good student, sort of considered anything we were learning in school not worth remembering (laughs). I’ve greatly enjoyed the animated Disney version, loved Baloo the bear and the Bare Necessities (song). It’s a book that lends itself to many interpretations — you don’t have to like one or dislike another. It’s fascinating that Disney made their version so recently, in the last two to three years and Andy, as well as Netflix, are doing this version now and how very different they are. The earlier story had a warm fuzzy fairytale notion and the songs, which were enjoyable while Serkis’ interpretation is more similar to Rudyard Kipling’s writing. But it still has that fantasy of being able to run wild with the animals, to be able to howl at the moon, to be able to shrug all notions of human decency and the desire to return to a more animalistic self — things which kids and adults feel a longing for. 

We just repress it a great deal. Then there’s the notion of really wanting to belong, but finding it difficult to fit in and how to survive in nature. It’s a classic, which will have many other interpretations to follow.

What was it like playing Bagheera? Unlike your previous roles, there was no physical transformation here...

Yes, however, this is performance capture, so it’s not just the voice. We had cameras around our head, they filmed me non-stop. All of the scenes were not done stationary, we were on the move. I had to study the panther’s movements, every body position I was in was translated to the film. And that’s the body position you see Bagheera in. So, we paid a lot of attention to that. Andy, Rohan and I were all in the same room interacting with each other when Baloo and Bagheera were having their fight. Andy and I were smacking each other. The only thing we had to accommodate for was the spatial awareness, so we didn’t break the cameras that were balanced around our heads. It’s an incredible process which I can’t even begin to understand, of transforming my face to a panther’s and Andy’s on to a bear, but it has an amazing potential for what you can transform into for a film.

What drew you to the movie? 

I wanted to make a film my children would be able to see. I don’t always make films that are appropriate for my kids to watch, so I enjoyed it greatly. But it’s something that adults can enjoy as well. It has many layers to it...

You are known for your physically challenging roles, be it in 
The Machinist or more recently in Vice. Do such movies excite you?

I like not being able to see myself when I look in the mirror. I often like to create characters where I’m not apparent in them. So, physical transformation is definitely one portal of doing that. This was absolutely a transformation, even though I’m not donning a panther skin, I was constantly attempting to make the movements and motions of the animal.

One of your most iconic roles is that of Batman having done the Dark Knight trilogy. Has that become a part of your identity?

It will always be what I’m identified as. There will be no other film as successful or more successful than that — he’s an iconic character who is globally embraced. I loved Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of it. I much liked what he allowed me to do and how I presented it to him. Bruce Wayne is a damaged individual. I’m proud of what we did and left it when we did because many franchises keep going because they can. We were offered to but Chris always said the most we will do is three, if we are fortunate enough to and then we walk away. I’m absolutely fine with that, it’s the most iconic role I’ve played.

What are your India plans?

I’d love to be here for longer because obviously there’s a whole world within India itself. I brought my family out last week. We travelled from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur and arrived in Mumbai on Saturday night.

And are you fond of Indian food? 

Well, I’m English so you grow up eating Indian food, so yes, absolutely. I would get home from school and grab a samosa from the corner store and eat it. That was always my choice of food (smiles).