The actor, known for his close ties with India, and who became popular in the subcontinent for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi expressed his shock at the incident and hoped that the country will be able to rise above the tragedy.

Star of the multiple Oscar-winning film 'Gandhi', Kingsley said his plans to shoot a film on the life of the Buddha in India had been negatively affected due to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, also known as the city of dreams or the Bollywood capital.

"I was planning a film there. One or two films there. One was a film about Buddha, the other is not far enough along for me to describe," he said.

"I was going to be filming definitely in 2009, so probably in the first few months of the year," he said.

When asked whether the recent incident would affect his plans, he said, "I am sure it will. It won't be my decision as to whether we go,it will be the financiers and the producers."

Kingsley was speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live at British Independent Film Awards.

Expressing his shock at the terrorist strikes, the veteran actor said he was horrified by the attacks in Mumbai but hoped that the country was strong enough to survive and move forward without a cynical mindset.

"I'm absolutely horrified by the events in Mumbai this week... almost 200 people were dead in chaotic and horrifying circumstances with no warning whatsoever was unbelievable.

"I hope that India will survive and move forward, but she is really going to watch her back. She really is. I am deeply sorry," he said.

Kingsley said India as a great emerging economy and as an ancient civilization and culture must avoid cynicism in this hour of crisis.

"I am sure that they are in shock. They don't have the mindset that other nations have of saying to themselves it

could happen today, they just don't. And I hope they never have that cynical mindset, but they have got to be careful," he warned.

India's financial capital Mumbai was rocked by unprecedented terrorist strikes that began on November 26 killing more than 180 people.

The terrorist targeted Mumbai's prominent buildings like the iconic heritage hotel Taj Mahal, hotel Oberoi, Jewish centre Nariman house, CST railway station and Leopold cafe.

The actor said that he knew Taj and Oberoi quite well and he was planning to call on the old friends from these places to check on their well-being.

The actor said that the country must rise above the tragedy.

"I really hope India can shake this off, because many people want to be there and enjoy their industry and their economy," he said.