Anant Singh
Anant Singh says he was 'honoured' to be given the opportunity to tells Nelson Mandela's life story.
Singh bas brought Mandela's biography The Long Walk To Freedom to the big screen after being granted the rights to the book from the man himself.
Singh stuck up a relationship with the former South African President while he was in prison, and it has been a long journey to get this film made.
Speaking exclusively to FemaleFirst on the red carpet he said: "I am hugely honoured. I was writing to him when he was in prison about making a movie of his life - that is almost twenty five years ago - and here we are today in London presenting the movie.
"I was very fortunate that he was a very personally involved and that we have a relationship with him.
"It is the only film that he has endorsed. I am honoured but, at the same time, his life could make five movies. I think we have something special here."
Singh brough director Justin Chadwick on board to direct the movie, while William Nicholson has adapted Mandela's book.
Last night's royal premiere in Leicester Square was put under a cloud after it was announced that Mr Mandela had passed away at the age of ninety five.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is released 3rd January 2013.