Stephen Frears and Eddie Izzard talk 'Victoria & Abdul'

To celebrate the release of new British historical drama Victoria & Abdul, which depicts the real life friendship that developed between Queen Victoria and an Indian servant, our reporter Ayah sat down with the film's director Stephen Frears and actor Eddie Izzard to find out more about this important part of British and international history.

In the interview above, actor Eddie Izzard gives his own view on the character of Abdul, reveals which royal traditions surprised him, and offers his insight on how the lessons Victoria was able to learn from her experience of Indian culture in the film can be extended to us all.

In our second interview, director Stephen Frears reveals how true to real events the film really is, whether he was surprised by the humour that stems from Queen Victoria's own words (which were used in the film), what it was like filming in royal households, and what he thinks the Queen's life today is really like.

Victoria & Abdul is in cinemas 15 September - find screenings near you with FindAnyFilm

Stephen Frears talks Victoria & Abdul