Hard to tell from this interview, in which Mr Andrews discusses his role in BRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Perhaps “acquaintance” would be a better word. Probably for the best that the truth remains evasive, for the AustenBlog Editrix would likely be obliged to call for her vinaigrette and fan were it true, especially after last week’s episode of LOST. . .

You’ve also got “Bride and Prejudice” coming out shortly. How would you describe your role in that film?
I’ve not seen the film but I know it’s the top film in England. And it’s completely different [than] anything before. It’s certainly very different to “Easy.” I don’t know if you saw “Bend it Like Beckham,” but it’s the same director. She goes for a very broad family-oriented commercial film where everyone has a lot of fun, I think.

It’s a musical. You know, I’m singing and dancing in it in front of 40 dancers. It’s a very different character. He’s happy and elated to be alive.

Which “Pride and Prejudice” character are you the equivalent of?
It would be Mr. Bingley.

Were you familiar with Jane Austen?
I was familiar with Jane Austen, but in a modern context on three different continents. Apart from the very obvious links in India of arranged marriages, dowries, I don’t really see myself such strong links with the novel.

What training did you have for the musical numbers?
Oh Christ, well they had the choreographer, Saroj Khan, who does all those Bollywood films and is the best in her field. And I had to train nine hours a day for about 40 weeks trying to get this s**t done. It’s like traditional Indian dance coupled with M.C. Hammer from the early ‘90s, which has to be seen to be believed.

Would you display your dance skills in a club?
Absolutely not.

Do you play it with an Indian accent?
He’s a British Indian. Him and the Darcy character, played by Martin Henderson, go over to India and meet these girls. I guess my character falls in love and wants to get married, but Darcy tells him not to because she’s got an avaricious, grasping mother. And he also falls in love with a girl, but he can’t admit it.

Definitely at least an acquaintance! Now if you’ll excuse us while we read his interview about LOST. . .