In the film Bhopal: Prayer For Rain based on the Bhopal gas tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives on December 2 and 3 in 1984, Martin Sheen plays the much-hated Warren Anderson, the callous CEO of Union Carbide. Sheen chats with us about the challenges of playing such a character, his political stance, his impression of changed India and more. Excerpts from an interview with the revered actor, whose movie releases on December 5:

Q. Were you required to do a lot of homework for this role?
A. Actually, I was aware of this tragedy even before the film came to me. The script is so powerful, honest and accurate that I was compelled to take it up. It is a very honest portrayal of the tragedy. I remember very well when this happened and had read about Warren Anderson’s trial about 29 years ago. I am glad that a movie has been made on the tragedy as it will
educate youngsters.