Tom Wilkinson experiences the 'Exotic' life in 'Hotel'

Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson has traveled the world for his craft.

But he'd never been anywhere quite like India, the destination for his latest film, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."

In the star-studded dramedy, Wilkinson plays Graham Dashwood, a retired high court judge. Dashwood joins a crew of seniors as they "outsource" their retirement to India, where they live in the title hotel. Wilkinson, whose impressive resume includes films such as "Michael Clayton" and "In the Bedroom," is joined by a prominent cast that includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel and Wilkinson's wife, Diana Hardcastle.

amNewYork spoke with Wilkinson about the film, which opens Friday.

What did you think of India? It's a very scary place. It's like nothing you've ever encountered. Absolutely nothing prepares you for what you see in India. And it isn't that you get a glimpse of it - it's in your face all the time. It's astounding poverty and astounding wealth, and everything in between. It's noisy and chaotic and colorful and et cetera. It's a culture shock, which I never really got over. That's to say I didn't not enjoy being there, but it's an adventure.

Is there an exotic locale you've always wanted to visit? I'm not a traveler. But I've seen an awful lot. Necessarily in this job, you have to travel around a lot. But I've never been to China. I wouldn't mind going to China, but I don't think I'd do it off my own bat.

Were you inspired by working with this top-notch cast? I guess. I mean, you go and do a job and you do your best, regardless. I've certainly worked with actors who aren't as good as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, but that doesn't make you think, "Oh f--- this, I'll wing this."

What's it like to work with your wife? I've [worked] a couple of times with my wife and I love her being with me. When it first happened, I thought, "Oh no, it's going to cramp my style." It's not that I was having affairs of anything like that. I thought, "Oh, it's going to be just like at home." It didn't turn out like that at all. It was great to have her around being happy, enjoying herself. I love it...but I love my wife.

What are you doing now? I'm currently working on "The Lone Ranger." I play one of the fathers of modern capitalism.

Do you do any horse riding? No! I don't even get to wear a cowboy hat. I wear a top hat. I wouldn't have minded doing horse riding. It is a cowboy movie, but I'm not a cowboy.

Follow Entertainment editor Scott A. Rosenberg on Twitter: @RosenbergScottA