Exclusive interview with Slumdog superstar Freida Pinto
In this full version of our On Vision magazine exclusive, Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto talks to BT Vision about how the film’s success changed her life – and her blossoming relationship with co-star Dev Patel.
Did you ever imagine in your wildest dreams what a phenomenon Slumdog Millionaire would become?
No. None of us did. This has been an amazing joyride. It’s struck such a chord with everyone because of the common underdog story that everyone can relate to. Everyone loves the story where you strive to rise out of adversity and you actually get what you want at the end of it. There’s a new bit of hope in everyone’s life after watching the film. Destiny always has something in store for you. You just have to go out and explore it.
Does it work particularly well because of the current economic climate?
Absolutely. The recession means that everyone is trying to make ends meet. The beautiful message at the end of the film is that the boy might win all this money but what is important to him is finding the love of his life. That is what he was always after and it will always stick around, long after the money has gone.
What has been people’s reaction to the film?
Everyone loves it, but for different reasons. Back in India everyone loves it because Mumbai is their city and they can relate to a lot of physical things in it. It’s amazing that many people in the US want to now go to Mumbai to discover the spirit of it. Not many people know this but just as the ‘American dream’ exists, there is also a Bombay dream. People come to the city as dreamers; to achieve what they really want in life. Jamal is a mascot and a symbol of the everyman following his dream.
How was the Mumbai premiere of the film?
It was crazy. It’s about going back to the place where it all began. You make the film then you go and promote it and it was so nice to come back and visit the place that gave you the film in the first place. Mumbai is the kind of city that gives you a lot without you even asking for it. So we went back and gave our little gift to the city. It was the day of the Oscar nominations. This film has been so blessed. Unlike any other premiere we actually danced down the red carpet.
Was there immediate chemistry when you met your co-star, Dev Patel?
He was 17 when I first met him. I walked into a room and this jet-lagged boy was sitting on a couch waiting for the girls to come in one by one. He was tall but he was so little. He just had this little boyish thing about him. I said I wanted to show him my city and he reciprocated the enthusiasm. His eyes just lit up. He comes from England. He’s like an imposter in the film, who’s trying to learn something about Mumbai and get under the skin of the city. He did a fantastic job. We were always there for each other throughout the shoot. Because it was both of our first films we were sailing the same boat. We lived with each other, talked with each other, then when the film finished there was this entire promotional tour that we did together. I guess if he wasn’t there as part of the tour I would have been extremely lost. The friendship blossomed after the film, it got even stronger. This is all new to us. He’s a lovely boy. I can’t even imagine what this would’ve been like if we’d been at each other’s throats. It would’ve been a complete disaster.
How do you feel like you’ve changed through the Slumdog experience?
Oh, I’ve become far more confident. [Director] Danny Boyle has done that for me. He had a paternal affect on the whole cast. The kids look up to him as a person who gave them a new life. Even the middle kids, not just the young ones. He has this special thing where he’s not just treating you as an actor, he’s treating you as a person first. To be human with someone made the connection so much more than him being our director. I had no agent before this. I had a manager and no one else while I was doing the Slumdog shoot, so it was just the family on the film. It was only after visiting LA that I realised you had things like agents and publicists and lawyers. I started off with none of these but it has worked for me. Now it’s scary, people keep telling me, “You have to get a bodyguard.” I’m like, “No I don’t.”
Is the idea of stardom scary?
I don’t feel like a star. I feel like the same old person. I’m the same girl that I was when I auditioned for the film. I’ll still have to audition for films. People aren’t throwing scripts at me and telling me to start shooting.
Have you always wanted to act?
I always wanted to be an actor but I knew it had to be a meaningful film. I never saw myself doing a blockbuster. The film Monster with Charlize Theron changed everything for me. It completely changed my life. My life’s journey from that point onwards felt like building up to doing something like that. It was her losing herself to her character. She is such a beautiful woman and to see her in that light? People aren’t black or white. Everyone comes with shades of grey. I hope that Slumdog has the same effect on people. This film is going to be around for a long time. In years to come I know that I am going to sit back and say, “Wow, I was part of Slumdog Millionaire.” I’ll wake up every morning and pinch myself about this experience.
Interview © Paul Flynn 2009
Watch Slumdog Millionaire from 16 July for £3.49 or on HD for £4.99
