Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 30, 2018)

Freida Pinto has admittedly juggled different platforms — she’s done feature films, TV shows and will now be seen in Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle, which releases next week on Netflix. The actress, who was on a short trip to India, spoke to After Hrs about her role in the film and her plans of producing some Indian stories. Over to her...

Everyone has childhood memories attached to The Jungle Book. Is it the same for you?
Yeah, it’s the animation series, which almost every child in India has memories of. We always had the Sunday experience of watching The Jungle Book with siblings or mom and dad. For me, it’s been exactly the same. I kind of romanticised Sundays with my family because of this experience.

What was going through your mind when you were offered this part?
I was never offered it. I went ahead and demanded a role in the film (laughs). I wanted to be a part of this film and when I heard Andy (Serkis) is making it, I just asked him for it.

But no star would do that...
I’m not a star, I’m an actor.

You have a brief role in the film. Does the screen time matter to you?
It doesn’t really matter to me, as long as I know I’m adding value to the film. I’ve done all kind of roles — I’ve played the lead, supporting roles and even cameos. At the end of the day, if you feel fulfilled, then it doesn’t matter what somebody else thinks. I don’t care to read someone else’s opinion of what the length of my role should be, because it’s my choice and my decision.

Priyanka Chopra has also spoken about how unlike here, in the West, big actors come together to do brief parts, just for a film...
Yes, absolutely! I’ve heard several stories like that. I don’t remember having seen male superstars in India do that. When was the last time we have genuinely seen five heroes come together for a project? I can’t even think of one right now. But yes, to each his own. That’s what they believe they should be doing, but it’s not something I believe in, at all. So for me, it’s not about ‘am I being the centre of attention in the movie?’ No film is successful because of one person, it’s always team work.

Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle has been made only for the digital platform. What do you think of the newer avenues?
Streaming services have made things more available and accessible for the audience, too. Say something from Mexico can be watched by someone in India, and that accessibility has allowed the cultures to come together. The fact that I’ve American friends who watched Sacred Games, and loved it, proves the fact. The platform that these services provide is absolutely amazing because you can create a theatrical experience at home.

Expectations from this movie will be high given that its feature film version did exceedingly well...
I know The Jungle Book was outstandingly successful. But I have no fears for this film doing well at all, because it’s unique.

This is a dark retelling of the same story. Why opt for something so dramatic?
The Jungle Book has always been made as a slightly happier version. But if you really think about how animals are in the wild, or how a kid, who was adopted by a wolf pack and is trained by them, would behave, you will know that everything can’t be happy and perfect all the time. He will be wild and feral. I feel Andy did justice by really embracing that backdrop. More than just dark, it’s visceral and intense. You’ll be at the edge of your seats while watching this version.

Usually Indian actresses who foray into Hollywood are offered only exotic princess roles. Why do you think they are stereotyped?
It’s their job to refuse such roles if they don’t want to essay them. You can only end a certain stereotype by not giving into it. I don’t get exotic princess roles anymore because I have said no to them in the past. I might have got them right after Slumdog Millionaire (2008), but there’s a way to change that perception and mentality. And it takes a lot of courage, because saying no would mean you’re also refusing the work, money and opportunities. But personally, I don’t want to adhere to this stereotype.

You were also planning to produce an Indian story...
It’s not just one Indian story. There will be quite a few, actually. For me, it’s important to put the right teams together. One of my producing partners is Tabrez Noorani and we are putting together some stories which, I believe, will do well in India, too.

There were rumours that you are getting married to Cory Tran next year…
I believe everyone has reasons for doing whatever they are doing. So, they should be allowed to live and let live.

Sanaya Chavda (DNA; November 28, 2018)

Known for taking on varied roles and making them believable, often losing or gaining several kilos in the process to transform himself, Christian Bale, is seen in a unique avatar in Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle. The actor, who wears his Batman tag with pride, takes on the character of Bagheera in the Netflix film, which is not only directed by Andy Serkis but also stars him. This version of the beloved childhood tale is closer to Rudyard Kipling’s original, more realistic and dark, as it takes audiences through Mowgli’s (Rohan Chand) journey. Bale, who was in the city recently for the Indian premiere, talked about preparing for the role and what excites him as an actor.

What are your earliest memories of The Jungle Book?
I had read it in school, but I was never a good student, sort of considered anything we were learning in school not worth remembering (laughs). I’ve greatly enjoyed the animated Disney version, loved Baloo the bear and the Bare Necessities (song). It’s a book that lends itself to many interpretations — you don’t have to like one or dislike another. It’s fascinating that Disney made their version so recently, in the last two to three years and Andy, as well as Netflix, are doing this version now and how very different they are. The earlier story had a warm fuzzy fairytale notion and the songs, which were enjoyable while Serkis’ interpretation is more similar to Rudyard Kipling’s writing. But it still has that fantasy of being able to run wild with the animals, to be able to howl at the moon, to be able to shrug all notions of human decency and the desire to return to a more animalistic self — things which kids and adults feel a longing for.

We just repress it a great deal. Then there’s the notion of really wanting to belong, but finding it difficult to fit in and how to survive in nature. It’s a classic, which will have many other interpretations to follow.

What was it like playing Bagheera? Unlike your previous roles, there was no physical transformation here...
Yes, however, this is performance capture, so it’s not just the voice. We had cameras around our head, they filmed me non-stop. All of the scenes were not done stationary, we were on the move. I had to study the panther’s movements, every body position I was in was translated to the film. And that’s the body position you see Bagheera in. So, we paid a lot of attention to that. Andy, Rohan and I were all in the same room interacting with each other when Baloo and Bagheera were having their fight. Andy and I were smacking each other. The only thing we had to accommodate for was the spatial awareness, so we didn’t break the cameras that were balanced around our heads. It’s an incredible process which I can’t even begin to understand, of transforming my face to a panther’s and Andy’s on to a bear, but it has an amazing potential for what you can transform into for a film.

What drew you to the movie? 
I wanted to make a film my children would be able to see. I don’t always make films that are appropriate for my kids to watch, so I enjoyed it greatly. But it’s something that adults can enjoy as well. It has many layers to it...

You are known for your physically challenging roles, be it in The Machinist or more recently in Vice. Do such movies excite you?
I like not being able to see myself when I look in the mirror. I often like to create characters where I’m not apparent in them. So, physical transformation is definitely one portal of doing that. This was absolutely a transformation, even though I’m not donning a panther skin, I was constantly attempting to make the movements and motions of the animal.

One of your most iconic roles is that of Batman having done the Dark Knight trilogy. Has that become a part of your identity?
It will always be what I’m identified as. There will be no other film as successful or more successful than that — he’s an iconic character who is globally embraced. I loved Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of it. I much liked what he allowed me to do and how I presented it to him. Bruce Wayne is a damaged individual. I’m proud of what we did and left it when we did because many franchises keep going because they can. We were offered to but Chris always said the most we will do is three, if we are fortunate enough to and then we walk away. I’m absolutely fine with that, it’s the most iconic role I’ve played.

What are your India plans?
I’d love to be here for longer because obviously there’s a whole world within India itself. I brought my family out last week. We travelled from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur and arrived in Mumbai on Saturday night.

And are you fond of Indian food? 
Well, I’m English so you grow up eating Indian food, so yes, absolutely. I would get home from school and grab a samosa from the corner store and eat it. That was always my choice of food (smiles).

Freida Pinto on misogyny, Mowgli, mindsets and being in love with love
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2018) 

How is it like being back in India to promote a Hindi film, Love Sonia?
I promoted Trishna too which was in Hindi and English, the difference here is that I’ve been involved with and passionate about this project for the last 10 years so to finally talk about Love Sonia is very fulfilling. It feels like bringing a baby into the world.

Did the two protagonists, Riya Sisodiya and Mrunal Thakur, remind you of young Latika from Slumdog Millionaire?
(Laughs) I didn’t work with Riya, when you watch the film you will know why, but Mrunal reminded me of me back in the day and I told Tabrez (Noorani, director) that. Last month, at a festival, I was asked, “What are you betting your future on?” and I responded, “Mrunal Thakur is the future.” I’m excited to see what she will do next. She’s an incredible talent!

Tabrez was the line producer on Slumdog Millionaire. How much has he changed in 10 years?
Tabrez is passionate about cinema, he breathes that world, always has. He was my mentor and I remember once, when we were filming Slumdog Millionaire in Chembur, he took me aside and said, “You know your life is going to change after this, right?” At the time I didn’t know what he was talking about, none of us knew then that this film would become so big, but he had the foresight. He’s like a magician and having him direct me in Love Sonia was moving after talking about the film with him all these years. His growth as a filmmaker has been tremendous and even as friends, we now have a better understanding of what we want to do.

Has he spoken to you about his next?
We have a few things up our sleeve. It’s too early to reveal anything, I can only say we’re putting together something for the world as partners.

You must have heard many stories like that of Preeti and Sonia while doing social work. Tell us one that has stayed with you all these years?
It was important for Tabrez that we did our research really well as he wanted the film to be as authentic as possible, so he had some of these survivors on the set as mentors. Before one shot, I was speaking to two of them and asked one that if she had a shot at a different life, like maybe if she fell in love with someone, would she take the opportunity and leave this world. I still remember her answer. “Madam. Love only happens in your world, not in mine.” Those words reflected the stark truth, the many betrayals that brought her into this world. She then went on to explain that she was fine… Surviving… Making money to send her daughter to school. “I don’t see myself getting out, but it’s important to ensure that my child has a different life, a better life.” Those words encapsulate what our film is about. It’s not just a depiction of their lives but it also celebrates the strength of some of these women. They don’t want sympathy from us, only empathy.

From this dark world to a child’s world with the adventure-fantasy Mowgli. That must have been…
(Laughs) That was fantastic! As a child I remember the jingle, “Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai” and when I heard that Andy Serkis, with whom I’d done Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, was directing Mowgli, I told my agent that I didn’t care if I was there for a second, I wanted to be a part of this film as Jungle Book is a story I’ve grown up on. Andy was very welcoming, saying he had just the role for me, that of Mowgli’s adopted mother, Messua. And the best part is that I get to play my part in Hindi in a big Hollywood film.

Has Los Angeles become home, or do you plan to return and settle down in India one day, maybe do a commercial Hindi film?
I come back to India quite often though not many know about these trips. India for me is not just Mumbai or Bollywood. I go up North and to the North-East where I get to see a better representation of our country, where I can be one with nature and blend with the local culture. I can never leave India, not call it my home, but at the same time, after nine years, LA is home too, and I feel as much a part of the American culture. I’m enjoying the best of both worlds.

You’re gearing up to travel back in time with your next, John Ridley’s sci-fi adventure, Needle in A Timestack, which features Orlando Bloom, and Leslie Odom Junior?
I’m super excited about this film as I get to work with both Leslie and John for the second time. John is a genius who won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 Years A Slave. We worked together on the six-part British mini-series Guerrilla, set in 1970s London against the backdrop of the Immigration Act. Sadly, it wasn’t screened in India. Needle In The Timestack goes back in time but the subject is very today. It’s a heartfelt story of love. (Smiles) And I love talking about love.

If you could go back or forward in time, is there something you’d want to do?
It’s tempting to time-travel, you can do so many things differently. But personally I have no regrets and even if I could go back, I wouldn’t want to change anything because in retrospect, even my mistakes have helped me grow. But I’d love to go forward into the future and tweak a few things. Today, I’m celebrating the fact that India has finally decriminalised homosexuality and it would bring me much satisfaction if women are now treated better. I want to change mindsets.

Talking of mindsets, the #MeToo campaign in the US had many skeletons tumbling out, exposed many big names. Unfortunately, in India, we’re still wary of opening up on the subject…
The reason the movement worked in the US is because of the collective voice. There are many women coming out and they are getting a lot of support even from journalists who have been brave to write their stories. I don’t know if India is ready for a #MeToo kind of a shake-up yet. It’s not easy, even some of these women had wanted to protect their identities and spoke up only when they knew they’d be represented accurately in the media. Here there’s still the fear of being labelled, women don’t feel safe speaking up because of the general lack of support. Hopefully that will change soon. But I must point out here that misogyny exists even in the most developed cultures, though it’s better hidden while here it’s blatant.

Could you explain that?
Remember Serena Williams being called out for wearing a black bodysuit at the French Open nine months after giving birth? It was designed to prevent blood clots, but she was told it violated rules. What rules? Why should someone dictate what a woman should wear if it’s not indecent? She was playing her game, just wanted to be comfortable.

You mentioned that you love the word ‘love’. And we’ve been hearing that you have found love again…
I was never out of love. Love has always been a part of my life. So, going out and finding love seems kinda strange to me.

Going by some of the beautiful pictures we are seeing, love seems to be blossoming…
(Laughs) Awww… I don’t know what pictures you are seeing but if they are the same pictures I’m seeing, then maybe...


Freida Pinto with rumoured boyfriend photographer Cory Tran at the US Open