EXCLUSIVE: Idris Elba reveals emotional the roller coaster during Mandela filming #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

HIS portrayal of the late Nelson Mandela went down a treat with critics and film buffs, but Idris Elba has revealed that he was riddled with nerves during the filming process.

Idris Elba has opened up about his portrayal of Nelson Mandela[WENN]

Speaking exclusively, the actor - who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance - admitted that the fact that he didn't look anything like the South African leader was a worry for him.
"One of the issues I discussed most was the fact that I look nothing like him and I didn't know how we or the audience were going to get past that," he said.
"However, Justin [Chadwick, the director] wasn't concerned about it at all. He said we were going to show the inner man and the inner presence - we weren't doing the lookalikey Mandela - we were doing the man as we see him.

The actor said he was nervous because he looked nothing like the South African leader [WEINSTEIN COMPANY]

"It took a bit of schooling for me to understand that and to trust that so I could put it into my performance."
Idris, who has just welcomed his second child into the world with girlfriend Naiyana Garth, added that it didn't stop some of his anxieties though - especially when it came to filming with the extras.
"I felt so anxious when we shot in Soweto, because he audiences are real - Justin didn't want them to be fake - so they were pretty rowed up.
"I just had to go out there and act like Mandela - there were no introductions. I felt so nervous about how a young audience from Soweto would feel when out walks Idris Elba as their godfather Mandela.

Idris said he felt anxious when filming with the crowds in Soweta [WEINSTEIN COMPANY]

But it was soon apparent that his portrayal of the iconic figure went down well with the crowds, who went on to cheer and rejoice during his speech scenes.
"It was really emotional when the audience reacted and you could really feel the presence.
"Justin would shoot three or four cameras just so we could capture all of it at once - that was a pretty moving and amazing moment."
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is out to own on DVD and blu-ray on Monday April 28th.