He had shown interest in me to play the primitive Gypsy woman opposite Omar. I thought how odd, as I had only appeared in films so far as a very "60's" hippie girl. We met at Claridges, and he expressed enormous enthusiasm and confidence that I was perfect to play this "wild" role. He wanted to send me immediately to Afghanistan where he had already shot second unit photography, so that I might actually absorb the tone and feel of the country and its tribal people. Afghanistan, at the time, in 1970 was a monarchy.

I was soon on my way to Kabul, Afghanistan as a guest of the King, and thereafter on a journey into the south to visit and stay with the Koochi. The Koochi are an "aristocratic" tribal people who welcomed me with exotic drums, dancing, and a feast. These people had never seen such a western woman, unveiled, in man's pants, and so joyful and expressive that she was kissing and hugging their camels. I stayed with them for a week, and with an open heart absorbed them, their behavior and culture. My only challenge was to diplomatically refuse their generous offer of a Koochi husband. The character of Zereh, in the film, was, in fact, not as much of the temperament or expression of the Koochi, but more a Jat which is a much less respected gypsy. A more deceitful and desperate life is lived by the Jat.