Chacko Vadaketh

1957: Hati Malaya (Heart of Malaya) is a movie about our struggle for independence from the British, Merdeka or Independence was achieved on 31st August 1957. I play the role of Sir Clough Thuraisingam who was the leader of the minority Indian community in what was then Malaya, he aligned himself with Dato Onn bin Jaafar who spearheaded the initial struggle, they were later usurped by Tunku Abdul Rahman (our first Prime Minister) and Tun Sambanthan (leading the indians, and became our first Labour Minister) who went onto get freedom from the colonial masters. Very exciting bringing history alive. Thuraisingam was a fascinating man, also from Cambridge (Selwyn College) and a lawyer by profession. He owned several winning race horses and was the first non-white president of the Selangor Turf Club.  As part of my research into the character, I had a pleasant afternoon with his gracious wife, who is still very much alive, looking at wonderful old photos of an eventful and gracious era.