Mumbai, May 24 (IANS): Award-winning British actor Ian McKellen, who is famously known for playing Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film franchises, says he has he never felt that he had been out of work in his career.

McKellen had a candid conversation with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on literary legend Shakespeare and his global influence on film, art and culture at the debut launch of the MAMI Film Club at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on Monday evening.

When Aamir asked him if he ever faced a rough patch in his career, McKellen said: "I have never felt that I have never been out of work. I have taken job which other actors wouldn't do".

McKellen also recalled the time when he came out as gay.

"I was 49 when I came out and it wasn't difficult because I was established as an actor and I was confident. To say it in public was a great relief and everything changed for the better... Be it your relationship, people around you or friends. My acting got better... I did not have to fake things," he said.

Twice nominated for the Oscar, and recipient of every major theatrical award in UK and US, McKellen says the stage is his "home".

"When I come to stage I feel it is home. Some have stage fright, but I feel one has to get inside the character," he said.