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Hollywood star reveals how EastEnders icon helped prepare him to work with Christopher Nolan

Hollywood star Himesh Patel has revealed how an EastEnders icon helped him to prepare to audition for Christopher Nolan and star in this year's biggest blockbuster

[Himesh stars in The Odyssey]

Himesh stars in The Odyssey(Image: Steven Bergman/AFF-USA/Shutterstock)

Himesh Patel has revealed how an EastEnders legend helped him learn one of the most valuable lessons of his acting career - how to make even the dullest scenes come alive.

The Hollywood star, who has gone from playing Tamwar Masood in the BBC soap to working with Christopher Nolan, said his nine years on EastEnders gave him a better training ground than he could have asked for.

And he credits his on-screen dad Nitin Ganatra with teaching him how to find the creativity in even the most exposition-heavy scenes.

Recalling one particular moment towards the end of his time on the soap, Himesh said Ganatra admitted he was struggling with a scene which essentially existed to move the plot along.

[Himesh with his EastEnders family]

Himesh with his EastEnders family(Image: BBC)

The pair ran through it together before Ganatra found a simple solution - bringing a folder into the scene.

Himesh, 35, explained that suddenly the scene became about more than simply delivering information, with the characters intentions giving the otherwise mundane exchange a purpose.

He said the experience taught him that whatevers happening on the page, theres always a creative solution to making it more interesting for the camera.

And it was one of many lessons Himesh picked up during his nine years in Walford, where he also worked alongside Nina Wadia, who played his on-screen mum and also taught him "so many" "great lessons" on set.

[Himesh stars in The Odyssey]

Himesh stars in The Odyssey(Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

The actor said the soaps writers and producers never pigeonholed him as Tamwar, instead continually challenging him with comedy, drama and more emotional storylines.

He said: "I couldnt have really asked for a better training ground."

Looking back, Himesh added: "I would have nothing without EastEnders if that hadnt been the start of my career."

Now, with major Hollywood projects and filmmakers including Christopher Nolan on his CV, it is clear that lessons learned in Albert Square have travelled a very long way.

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