Mexico's greatest and most beloved comedic film star of all time, Cantinflas, was given the lofty moniker of the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico." Even the iconic Chaplin himself, who also lived and breathed for entertaining others, considered Cantinflas to be "the best comedian alive."

To the American movie-going audience, Cantinflas, born Mario Moreno, is best remembered for co-starring as Passepartout with David Niven in the 1956 film, "Around the World in 80 Days," which won five Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture. Moreno also won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Comedy or Musical for the film.

In a tribute to the Mexican comedic genius, on Friday, Aug. 29, Pantelion Films will release the biopic "Cantinflas," starring Barcelona, Spain native Oscar Jaenada, best known for his roles in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" alongside Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, "Che: Part 2," and "Camarón: When Flamenco Became Legend," for which he received a Goya Award for Best Actor in 2005.

In an exclusive interview with Latin Post, Jaenada shared how he channeled the Mexican comedian and the complex man behind the laughter in the clever and insightful film "Cantinflas."

From humble beginnings, Moreno eventually became one of Mexico's greatest success stories journeying from the small stage to the big screen of Hollywood.

He won over audiences with his clever improvisation, comedic charm and impeccable timing. Yet, many didn't know the man behind Cantinflas, the eternal joker and the punch-line deliverer. Off-screen Moreno had many layers, some sadness and a serious side as a producer, screenwriter and businessman who also had a strong interest in Mexican labor laws.

"He was a pioneer in his acting career. He was the first one to make people realize that the Latino could also be an artist, not just a farmer, or whatever in that age," Jaenada said. "As an artist, Mario Moreno got this chance, he drew from that way, that we are on that side, on this path, and I think I am following in his path. Absolutely."

In a way, Moreno's style is reminiscent of the multi-dimensional and beloved Robin Williams, who also graced the small and big screens with his incredible comedic timing and ability to weave in and out of characters, juxtaposing his imagination with reality.

"[Moreno] gave his life to the entire world with his character, Cantinflas," Jaenada said. He also pointed out that often, there is "the sadness behind the laugh" and in the case of Cantinflas," he was "a comedian who used to be a very dark man. You can see that with Mario Moreno. He was always in the 'sombra,' the shadow..."

"All the people who met him ... I had the chance to talk with them, they always told me he was very sad, there was no laughter, there was no humor ... When your duty in your life is to make people laugh, you forget your own life," Jaenada continued. "In his home, he was so serious ... I was concerned about who was Mario Moreno, and I understand that Mario was the dark side of Cantinflas."

While Moreno had a serious side, he also had a loving side, which can be seen in the film when he presents his future wife with a box that doesn't have any material value, but it has sentimental value to him. Inside of the box was the costume for Cantinflas that would eventually catapult his career to super-stardom in Mexico, Hollywood and beyond."

And what iconic costume would Jaenada put in a box of his own?

"Charlie Chaplin would be great. I would like to play Charlie Chaplin. I used to go to work with a small suitcase and I put in there my music, my book and something to draw with ... it's like you need your own material to work with. Maybe shoes, they are very important [because of] the contact with the floor, maybe shoes are truly important to be in that box...maybe a ring and maybe also make-up," he said.

This isn't the first time that the Jaenada is starring in a role with different ethnic background than his own. His award-winning portrayal of the legendary Spanish flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla in "Camarón: When Flamenco Became Legend" (2005) might have been a turning point in his career, but there was some criticism because the late singer came from a gypsy (gitano) family, unlike Jaenada.

"It was tough, as a Spaniard to play a person from another country. We had to work on the Mexican accent to get the same accent that Cantinflas had," he added. "Doing biopics is a risk that I like to be a part of."

The risk of playing Cantinflas has paid off. "We had the chance to premiere the movie at the festival in Guadalajara, and the reaction of the Mexican public was amazing. They were amused indeed. Wow. It was great, but I am still waiting for its release and for all Latino Americans, all the Spanish speakers to see our movie." Jaenada said.

Listen to the entire interview with Oscar Jaenada below.

Check out the official trailer for "Cantinflas," which hits theaters on Friday, Aug. 29.