Wadia 'gutted' to turn down movie roles

EastEnders star Nina Wadia has confessed that she has had to turn down movie offers while working on the soap.

The actress, whose new film I Can't Think Straight is released tomorrow, told DS that she enjoys exploring a character over time on the popular BBC show.

"I have sadly had to turn a couple of things down, which is a bit gutting," she said. "At the same time I can't complain, I'm a jobbing actor and I'm enjoying a role that I've created over time. I do miss the light entertainment side of things. I got to watch clips of what I've done in this film and I miss that."

Wadia's new movie, I Can't Think Straight, focuses on a lesbian relationship between British Indian Leyla and London-based Palestinian Tala.

"It's basically a rom-com. It's set in the Middle East, it's set here. The only difference is it's about two women," Wadia explained. "I play the housekeeper of the Jordanian mistress, who is incredibly tall. Because I am so incredibly short I have to stand on a stool to light her cigarette! My main aim and purpose in life is to spit in her tea and get her to drink it."

Wadia added that she admired first-time director Shamim Sarif's ability to juggle drama and comedy: "The cool thing about this movie is the one-liners in it are superb. It kind of does what Comic Relief does, it keeps you laughing then it will give you those couple of [surprise] moments. I think she [Sarif] handles the subject really well."