‘SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE’ STAR ‘I’m still a small-town girl from Mumbai. I’m FREIDA PINTO just embracing TALKS ROMANCE, FAME this unique AND FILMS experience’

ince her debut in hit film Slumdog ballgames, but modelling helped me was sure people would watch the film. SMillionaire, Indian actress Freida lose my inhibitions and feel more But he was very modest and said no Pinto has had the world at her feet. comfortable in front of the camera. one would show interest in such a Not only has the 24-year-old just Acting sometimes feels very artificial. small film. I knew I was part of a been unveiled as the new face of It’s not easy to convey emotion with so special project but none of us were L’Oréal Paris, she has also been cast in many people staring at you. I found thinking of awards. You simply can’t Woody Allen’s new film alongside modelling far easier.” or you’ll be distracted when you’re Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas Are you going to stay in Mumbai ? performing. Before my auditions, my and Naomi Watts. “I live at home but my sister Sharon manager said, ‘Don’t try and give an She has even found a new love in and I move out soon. We bought a Oscar-winning performance. Just her life – her handsome, younger place so we could be independent. keep it real.’ We were just focusing on Slumdog co-star, Dev Patel, 19. When The Indian concept is to stay at home the film and the city, and that’s why it HELLO! caught up with her at until you marry but we’re doing turned out the way it did.” London’s chic Soho Hotel, we spied something different. It feels like the There was controversy over how the the happy couple giggling over lunch. right time to travel as much as I want Mumbai slums were portrayed… “He’s adorable and a good friend,” to, in terms of work. But if I work in “I’m from Mumbai and I think it was a she has said. “I was engaged to actor India, that’ll be my home.” beautiful depiction. It’s one that no Rohan Antao but we broke up at the Would you move to Los Angeles? one has seen before, and what you see end of last year. Things happen and “I think I’ll keep LA for events like is what you get. In all its beauty and you have to learn to deal with them.” press and awards seasons. It’s a nice ugliness, Mumbai has a kind of spirit Dev’s mum Anita confirmed that place but there’s only one thing which Danny captured. He faced the the couple had become romantically people talk about and that’s the heat, the chaos, the constant involved after they were spotted industry. New York and London have honking, the people in the crowds kissing at a restaurant in Israel, where much more character, so I would who looked straight into the camera, Freida is shooting her latest film. probably choose one of those.” and made this beautiful film.” Brought up in Mumbai, where the You’re one of only a few Indian Did you see the slums while you were film that changed her world is set, actresses with a Hollywood career. Is growing up? Freida worked as a catwalk model for this a challenge for you? “Everything’s intermingled and four years and featured in adverts for “I look up to actresses like Parminder inescapable in Mumbai. You can step Wrigley’s gum, Skoda and De Beers. Nagra and Archie Punjabi – though out of your big bungalow and walk She was presenting an Indian travel they are British. I’m the only girl from down the street and find slum areas show when she was invited to audition Mumbai so there’s a lot of pressure… next to massive, beautiful buildings. for the role of Latika in Slumdog People back home are pushing for me You ask, ‘How do they co-exist?’ But Millionaire, the rags-to-riches tale that and there’s an immense sense of pride that’s the nature of the city and every went on to win eight Oscars this year, in that people find me an inspiration.” city has something unique about it. including Best Picture. Many young Hollwyood actresses are You just get on with it.” Here Freida tells HELLO! about into partying. Is that your scene? Your character in Slumdog is abused handling her newfound fame, being a “I used to do all that when I was at by the men in her life. Did you find it born romantic and becoming Woody college and didn’t have to think about distressing filming those scenes? Allen’s new muse… work but I get so tired now. I just want “Thinking about it was distressing. You once described yourself as just to go home and sleep! I feel I’ve grown Putting myself in that position – she is another aspiring actress from Mumbai up and aged over the last few months.” scarred for life by a knife – made me until Slumdog. How does it feel now You have a degree in English… very upset. I’m quite a fighter so in things have changed so dramatically ? “I enjoyed reading and studying film some scenes I came across as quite “I’m still just a small-town girl from and literature. You learn so much strident. Danny would say, ‘You can’t Mumbai! What has happened to me when you read. Knowledge is power! fight this. You’re submissive – for a is a unique experience and I’m just A book adaptation would be my reason. The fight in you is dormant.’” embracing it.” dream acting job.” There’s much romanticism between

You were a model before you became Did you have any idea how big Latika and Jamal [Dev] in the film. Does S W

an actress. How do they compare? Slumdog would become? that kind of passion exist in real life? E “Because Danny Boyle was involved, I “I don’t know but there are rare situations N “They’re two completely different H S

where someone will do anything for the A L

one they love. It would be a dream to P S

Freida and her Slumdog co-star Dev Patel can’t take their eyes off one another during a romantic meal in Tel Aviv (below). Dev, 19, flew to Israel to spend :

have someone like that in your life. I S

time with his 24-year-old love while she films new movie Miral. London-born Dev’s mum Anita says: “Freida is really beautiful and I am really happy for them” O believe in that. I believe there’s hope.” T O

So you’re quite romantic? H P

“I am. That’s why I fell in love with A R T

this story when I read the script.” X E

You’re to star in Woody Allen’s next . S E

movie. Are you a fan of his films? G A

“What actor isn’t? I’m honoured he’s M I

giving me this chance. I’ll be so proud Y T T

to have this film on my CV.” E G

Will your character be one of Woody’s Y B

trademark kooky women? R U

“I’m at such an early stage in my career O T

that I’m open to exploring all kinds of N O C

characters. I’m in great hands with / N

Woody and trust him completely.” A D Is it true that you have been signed up E M

as the new Bond Girl? C A “This is just a flattering rumour!” H M N A D :

INTERVIEW: JESSICA LUPER S 50 O 51 T O

Slumdog Millionaire is out on Blue-ray and H P

DVD from Pathe Distribution Ltd. N I A M