In an exclusive, Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh talks about her fascination for Indian cinema and culture
Having grown up watching films from around the world, including India, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, says that Indian cinema has fascinated her for long. The 62-year old Malaysian actor, who plays the regal headmistress Madame Morrible in the upcoming musical Wicked.
set to release on November 22, expresses a deep affection for the country’s vibrant film industry. When asked about the possibility of working in an Indian film, her response is immediate and enthusiastic: “Oh, absolutely. I would love that.”
While Michelle says she has “quite a list” of people she would love to collaborate with, she playfully refrains from naming anyone. “I know to of you some of them quite well, and I would love to be able to work with them, especially someone behind the camera. But I’m not going to tell any names. I’m going to get myself in trouble,” she chuckles.
When asked what drew her to Wicked, Michelle credits director Jon M. Chu. She shares that when Chu first asked her (to join the cast), she hadn’t seen the musical in either the West End or Broadway. “I used to be such a huge fan of musicals,” she admits, adding, “And I think for some years, partly because of Covid, partly because I had been so busy with work and filming, I stopped going. And then, thanks to Jon, he brought me back to the theatre and rekindled my love for musicals.”
She further says, “I have an amazing working relationship and friendship with Jon—he’s like family. He’s so talented and he creates such a good space for his actors, he hones our skills to fit into such an extravaganza, such a splendid production. So, it was easy.”
Additionally, Michelle reveals that getting to work alongside actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made the decision all the more appealing. She shares, “They sent me a video saying, ‘It’s imperative that you come and join us.’ How do you say no to those two angels?” she laughs.
She also highlights the diverse cast and crew, highlighting how much more inclusive the film feels compared to a decade ago and says that it’s what makes it especially relevant today. “I’m grateful to Marc Platt.
(producer) and his fellow executives for holding onto this incredible, important intellectual property and deciding to find the most perfect director and incredible cast—most diverse cast—that it can be done in its real splendour,” she says, adding, “If it had been done 10 or 15 years ago, I definitely would not have been chosen to play Madam Morrible. Jon Chu wouldn’t have been there, and it wouldn’t have been Ariana.”
Regarding the central theme that Wicked explores – the complex and evolving friendship between the characters of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), Michelle says she believes that friendship, especially among women, is something that enriches our lives. “I strongly believe in female friendship.
She speaks fondly of watching her co-stars, Cynthia and Ariana, embody their characters. “It was so amazing to watch Cynthia and Ariana blossom and flourish and nurture that beautiful bond.” She continues, “Wicked has shone the light on so many of these emotions, so many of these feelings that so many of us are going through.
That’s why, over the two decades, people of different ages keep going back to it because they see and try and understand, they try and feel.
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