The man playing Nelson Mandela in a new movie embraces the real-life former wife of the anti-apartheid hero.br br Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was among the family and friends of Nelson Mandela who gathered for the Johannesburg premiere of a new biopic of his life.br br It was an event made all the more poignant as South Africa's 95-year-old former leader remains critically ill at his nearby home.br br British actor Idris Elba nearly didn't make it to the film's debut... after being rushed to hospital suffering from a severe asthma attack.br br But he arrived just in time, and spoke of taking on such a daunting task playing such an iconic figure.br br (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH ACTOR, IDRIS ELBA, SAYING:br br "If Mr. Madiba can stay in a jail cell for 19 years and they continue to still fight for his country. You know, I can stand here on the red carpet, no problem."br br Naomie Harris plays Mandela's former wife, a role she found hard to let go of.