Stormzy found it difficult to "totally separate" himself from his Big Man character

The award-wining star - who plays Tenzman in the new film - told BBC Newsbeat: "It was really tough if I'm honest.

"It felt like I'm playing a rapper but I am a rapper, it's tough to totally separate."

Big Man is the first release from Stormzy's #MerkyFilm production company, and the rapper has revealed his long-term ambition for the enterprise.

He shared: "What we've tried to do at Merky, whether it's music, sports, whatever, we do we just want to stand in our truth, tell our stories, but also not from the same perspective that it's always been told from.

"Even being black British, it's such a nuanced experience - you've got the black experience, you've got the British experience, and then you've got the black British experience.

"We want to tell it from our perspective which is nuanced, it's brilliant, it's different, it's not always the same, it's not a monolith."

Stormzy felt "challenged" while making the movie, but he still enjoyed the creative process.

The Vossi Bop hitmaker said: "It was really tough but it was a challenge I was so honoured to be a part of.

"I like to be challenged, I like to be a bit uncomfortable so I love it."

Stormzy previously explained that his acting debut was "all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth".

The rapper also hopes that the 24-minute short film will serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring stars.

He said: "I hope you love our first project, Big Man, as much as we loved making it.

"For me, it's all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth - that feeling like life is one big adventure and the world's your playground.

"I hope it inspires you to dream bigger, live louder, and hold on to that unapologetic energy that comes with being young."