Indian actress Perizaad Zorabian is starring in a new British film "Exitz" where she plays a Miss India opposite a computer gaming magnate played by one of Britain's most famous actors, Malcolm Mcdowell.

"Working with Malcolm was a dream," Zorabian told IANS. "He is a genius."

The actor is in New Delhi to advertise for Avenue Montaigne, one of the biggest jewellery shops in the country with more than 50 brands that is housed at Gold Soux, India's first exclusive jewellery mall.

Zorabian shot with the 1943-born Malcolm Mcdowell in Goa for the film written by author Farooq Dhondy for 10 days.

"He was terribly affectionate and nice," said Zorabian about Mcdowell, famous for his role in Stanley Kubrick's 1971 release "A Clockwork Orange", where he played Alexander de Large, a young man whose interests are rape, violence and Beethoven.

"My role is very interesting. I'm a beauty queen who becomes part of a reality video game."

In India, her new film is "Morning Raga" opposite Shabana Azmi and directed by playwright Mahesh Dattani.

"Working with Shabana Azmi was fantastic. She is just the best teacher I could ever have," smiled Zorabian. "She helped at every step. I just learnt so much from her.

"When I used to have my crying scenes, she used to go behind the camera and cry so that I can concentrate and the emotion flows, so that I can give a natural shot.

"I completely adore her."

Zorabbian also had to learn how to sing Carnatic ragas. "That was really, really tough. I had no idea how to sing and frankly I cannot sing, I just don't have the voice for it.

"But here too, Shabana really helped. She picked up singing really quickly and used to sing really beautifully. I was inspired to perform well by her," said the star of "Jogger's Park".

From a girl who used to sell chicken in the family poultry business to studying an MBA in New York and washing dishes to make ends meet, Zorabian has come a long way.

"I never thought I would be an actor. It was always too insecure, too unstable for me but now that I'm really thrilled.

"And long live the small, crossover films. They help people like me become an actor. In traditional Bollywood, I would only get bit roles or the role of a vamp but in the smaller films, we can get the best roles."