Huma Qureshi visits Kolkata, promotes her upcoming film Partition: 1947

The film, in the name of Viceroy's House, was released in the United Kingdom on March 3 this year.

Apart from Huma Qureshi, Partition:1947 stars Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal and Michael Gambon.

The plot of the film is centred around the final Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, who came to the country to oversee the transition of British India to independence but meets with conflict as the sides clash in the face of monumental change. It also focusses on how India was divided into two countries in 1947.

In the film, Huma is playing the role of a Muslim girl Aalia, who falls for a Hindu boy, Jeet (Manish). Jeet works at the Viceroy's House but the lovers are shown to be separated as borderlines are redrawn.

Elaborating her character, Huma said: "A very strong character to play. She is an educated girl and the character is very progressive. Aalia is a strong character which I loved the most. It is a quiet strength that the role possess and it was fun to portray her in the film."

Director Chadha's own family was caught up in the tragic events that unfolded as the British Raj came to an end. The film narrates the story of the trauma that people went through due to the division, and how it changed their life.

Speaking about her working experience with Chadha, Huma said: "It was amazing. She is a very strong personality. I like working with strong people. I think it pushes one to a limit, to excel and do better."

Chadha, who stays in England, is of Punjabi Sikh Kenyan Asian origin.

Since the film is a historical drama, Huma had to do research work to play the role of Aalia, dated back in 1947.

"To be honest, I had to do a lot of research work and take preparation in terms of how to play this character. I had to watch lot of videos like Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit's and others' in that era just to see what they spoke, how they wore clothes, their hair, makeup and styling," Huma said.

British actor Hugh Bonneville will be seen playing the role of Lord Mountbatten.

The film co-produced by Britain and India, is considered to be the international debut of Huma, the actress who made her Bollywood debut in Gangs of Wasseypur back in 2012.

Late Indian actor Om Puri will be seen in the film playing a specific role.

Music is directed by Indian singer, composer A. R. Rahman.

Partition: 1947 is going to hit the big screens on August 18.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh, images by Avishek Mitra)