The Movie and Me

A thriller dealing with terrorism directed by Kabir Khan.
Produced by Aditya Chopra.

I played Samir, aka Sam, a college student accused of involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

Three students of Indian descent studying at a New York university have their lives changed forever by the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath.

Sam is accused of direct involvement and is thrown into the dreaded Guantanamo Bay prison where he is viciously tortured. Finally declared innocent, he emerges months later, but is a man forever changed. Can the love of his devoted wife repair his traumatised mind? Or do the wounds run too deep?

"Shooting the torture scenes was really tough. When I had to lie in the cramped 'dog box' it was so cold that my skin stuck to the metal. It was all quite traumatic. I used to go to bed with a heavy heart and wasn't exactly able to eat properly. Specifically after doing the water boarding torture scene, in which the detainee is made to lie on a board and has a cloth put over his nose and mouth and water is poured on so it feels like he's drowning. I said I'd try it for real. The water gushes up and it's like something has hit you in your brain. I thought I was really brave but I couldn't take it for a second, not even a second."