(CNN) -- It is not easy to capture a man's life in 152 minutes, let alone a life as illustrious and complex as Nelson Mandela's. For London-born actor Idris Elba, who played the South African leader in the 2013 biopic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," the task was sure to feel Herculean. 

"I could never really articulate what it felt like to play Mandela properly in an interview," he admits in a phone conversation with CNN. 

Though the actor is British, and physically bears little resemblance to the late South African leader, Elba recalls the unexpectedly warm reception he received, particularly from extras on set -- many of whom were locals who lived through the apartheid era. 

"South Africa is very embracing. Even though I'm not from South Africa and was about to play Mandela, they still gave me a lot of love," he says. By the end of filming, many were even calling him "Madiba." 

The experience, life-changing in many ways, was bound to feel odd. For Elba, the best way to capture not just the man but the feeling of playing him on film, was through music. 

Next week will see the release of "Mi Mandela," a tribute to Mandela made up of songs written and produced by Elba himself, and performed by a mixture of South African and British talent, including Mumford & Sons, the Mahotella Queens and Maverick Sabre. 

"There were various sensations I experienced (playing Mandela), and I could never give an answer I was satisfied with. I think this album represents that answer. It allows me to express the feelings of playing him," says Elba. 
what is released next week?
how long is it?
what sort of life did Mandela have?
who played him?
what year?
in what film?
how was he talking to cnn?
where is Elba from?
and does he look like Mandela?
what type of reaction did he get?
from anyone in particular?
where were they from?
what had they endured?
who has written and produced the songs on Mi mandela?
Only british singers/performers?
where else?
name a couple of artists
what does the albumn represnt?
by the end of filmin what was he being called?
What did Elba say SOuth Africa have given hi,?
"Mi Mandela"
 "Mi Mandela
152 minutes
152 minutes
illustrious and complex
 a life as illustrious and complex
Idris Elba
actor Idris Elba
2013
 2013 biopic
"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"
"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,"
by phone
he admits in a phone conversation with CNN
London
London-born actor Idris Elba
no
physically bears little resemblance to the late South African leade
unexpectedly warm reception
 unexpectedly warm reception he received
from extras on set
particularly from extras on set 
locals
many of whom were locals who lived through the apartheid era.
the apartheid era
who lived through the apartheid era
Elba
songs written and produced by Elba himself
no
by a mixture of South African and British talent
South African
 South African and British talent
Mumford & Sons, the Mahotella Queens and Maverick Sabre
 including Mumford & Sons, the Mahotella Queens and Maverick Sabre
how Elba felt playing Mandela
think this album represents that answer. It allows me to express the feelings of playing him," says Elba.
"Madiba
By the end of filming, many were even calling him "Madiba
a lot of love
they still gave me a lot of love," he says.