Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 19, 2019)

The years of struggle that Rajkummar Rao has seen has helped him shape his career with great maturity and confidence. From playing the second fiddle in several films to becoming a poster boy of content-driven cinema, he has come a long way. Rajkummar talks to BT about how he does not want to limit himself as an actor, how box-office success is not the only thing that drives him, and the life lessons he has learnt from his parents. Excerpts...

Made In China chronicles the journey of Raghu Mehta, a failed businessman aspiring to make it big. You, too, have toiled for years before making a mark in Bollywood. Did that make Raghu’s journey more relatable?
Made In China revolves around Raghu’s journey, from being a nobody to trying to be somebody, and I could totally relate to it. Like me, he, too, doesn’t have a plan B and has a never-give-up attitude. Raghu has struggled a lot with people around him and his extended family is not in favour of him exploring another business idea because he has failed so many times. When I was struggling in Bollywood, I was also told by people to try other mediums. However, I was prepared to face the struggle. I knew that no one would launch me the moment I landed in Mumbai. For two years, people only considered me for character-driven parts. Sometimes, they would either not call me or make me wait, and eventually, they would turn around and tell me that they needed a conventional looking actor with a great physique. However, I didn’t lose hope and had faith that someday, someone would look at me the way I am and cast me. Dibakar Banerjee gave me that opportunity in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). Success changes people’s perception of you and the way they look at you. People have cast aspersions on many actors because they didn’t look conventional. But, these actors proved them wrong and the same people started praising them. This has happened with me as well. Initially, some people thought that I wasn’t cut out for lead roles, but today, they think differently. From then to now, it’s been an exciting ride. I am happy with my career graph, and the way cinema is shifting shapes and people are coming up with great ideas and stories, which are being lapped up by the audience. It’s a great sign for us.

You have been a front-runner for content-driven cinema. Do you ever crave to play the quintessential Bollywood romantic hero?
I am a big fan of the typical Bollywood kind of romance. I love to watch it, but I am not too sure if I can pull it off. Also, I feel that cinema has become more real. Having said that, larger-than-life films are still being made and are doing great numbers at the box office. There should be place for all kinds of films. People will get bored if we keep making only realistic films.

While you had a great run at the box office last year, your films in 2019 (Ek Ladki ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and Judgementall Hai Kya) didn’t have a similar impact on the BO…
I knew exactly what went wrong with my films, which didn’t work. There are times, when you make a good film, but it doesn’t work. However, it’s a personal experience which I wouldn’t be able to share. Sometimes, you realise that a film won’t work at an earlier stage itself, but then, it’s not just about the box-office result, but also about enjoying the process, and becoming part of a good film. Failures teach you a lot more than success, as you learn what went wrong and what not to repeat. I try to live in the present and not think too much about the future. I give my all to every character I am playing at that time, and then, I move on to the next project without thinking about what’s going to happen to it.

You had said in an interview that the industry is quick to typecast actors. Currently, you are the go-to actor for content-driven cinema? Do you ever feel that you are being typecast?
I don’t think I have been typecast. There is still a lot of fire inside me and I don’t want to typecast myself ever. I want to surprise my audience by doing as many films as I can and play different parts. I don't want anyone to slot me in any bracket and think that I can only do certain kind of films. I like challenges. I want people to throw any character at me and it is my responsibility to portray it with conviction. A lot of people ask me about my dream role. I don’t have one. Every role I do becomes a dream part for that moment and for that period. Just the dream of becoming a film actor was a big one for me, and I am happy that I am living that dream every day.

You are known to sink in your teeth into every character that you play. You lost seven kilos for Trapped and grew a paunch for Made In China. While it’s considered to be a big deal in Bollywood, in Hollywood, many actors have undergone drastic transformation...
I have always said that it’s part of my job, and I am not doing anything extraordinary. It’s the demand of my character. If I am playing Subhas Chandra Bose, I have to look like him and not someone from Delhi. It’s my responsibility towards my characters that I have to fulfill. But yes, when you undergo a drastic transformation like Joaquin Phoenix did for Joker, people appreciate it. It’s amazing to see an actor put in so much for the character without using prosthetics. I think that’s phenomenal. I also like what Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey do. I find their work inspiring. They do it because they want to be true to their characters and not for appreciation from people.

For Made In China, I made my tummy a little heavy, because I wanted to look different in the film. I ate a lot of white rice and cheese and also worked out a lot so that the other muscles were intact. It’s fun when you try to do something different and people appreciate it. But eventually, it’s for yourself; it’s a very lonely process that you go through during that time. As an artiste, you do it for yourself. There were times when my director (Mikhil Musale) was happy with a shot, but I wasn’t and I would go in for a retake because I wasn’t satisfied. You repeat the process till you take out something real from within. Primarily, it’s to satiate the artiste in you and then you do it for your co-actors. If that happens truthfully, it will reflect in the film and the audience will see it. One doesn’t know what will work for the audience. How will they connect with you if you are not in the moment? If you are truthful in that very moment to yourself, your craft and your co-actors, the audience will definitely connect with it. You are not breaking the fourth wall and talking to them; they have to believe in what’s happening in that particular scene. Since I am trained in a film school, I understand performances really well. I can tell the difference between a true performance and when someone is faking it.

This film is more of a situational comedy. What’s your view on adult comedies?
It is situational and there are very responsible actors involved in the film. Nothing in it is vulgar and crass. It’s a family entertainer. But as they say, never say never. If the story excites me as an actor, I don’t find it vulgar and crass, if it’s situational and not just about gags, then I won’t mind doing an adult comedy. But that’s not the plan right now.

You have been a part of several heroine-centric films and two-hero projects. After having tasted the kind of success that you have, a lot of actors would refrain from sharing screen space in so many projects…
I did Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) and Queen (2014); both of them were women-centric stories. I never judge a story on the basis of how my character is shaping the film. The story is paramount, and if my character is impactful and offers me something new and different, I say yes to it. For me, it’s never about playing lead parts, but always about associating with great stories. I love what I do and genuinely feel passionately about my work. It’s as simple as that. I am not doing it to prove a point to anyone. For me, it’s a sacred thing to go on a film set. Insecurity and other things corrupt the environment on the set and then, it reflects in your work. I would never want to feel like that. I have done Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Kai Po Che (2013), so I don’t mind being part of a two-hero or three-hero project. I am very secure as an actor. It’s not that I am going to fight a battle, I am going to do something I really love. I love being on a film set, where everyone is working like one big family.

While you are doing exceptionally well in your career, on the personal front, you suffered two irrevocable losses over the past couple of years when your parents passed away. How have you coped with the loss? Even with all the success, does it get lonely?
I wish my parents were part of this journey and that void will always be there. But apart from that, I am very happy and content with the way work is going and the kind of cinema I am doing. It’s an interesting phase in my life. I do feel lonely. That’s why I am working. When I am working, my mind is busy with a lot of things. But when I am home, travelling, or not doing much, it hits me. Fortunately, I have my loved ones, who keep me grounded and rooted. But I don’t have to put any extra effort to stay grounded, as that’s how I am. With the kind of upbringing my parents have given me, I will always be this way. They have taught me to work hard and be real. They have taught me a lot about honesty and helping others. It’s not difficult to be honest. It’s easier to speak your mind.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; November 29, 2018)

Contrary to rumours surrounding his alleged volatile temperament and reclusive demeanour, Christian Bale, 44, — one of the finest actors of this generation — is easy-going, relaxed and affable. Extremely attentive to every word you utter, his replies are as sincere as his passionate screen performances. Having lost the excess weight he’d gained to play former US Vice President Dick Cheney, the Oscar-winning actor is back to looking his usual self, in his trademark blue shirt, chiselled faced and lean physique. During his brief visit to Mumbai, the English-American actor spoke to Bombay Times on various topics — his dangerous obsession with the craft, extreme body transformations, why romantic films don’t interest him and why his Batman voice was ‘stupid’. Except for his only mandate to the press (his kids’ pictures are not to be clicked), the actor was open to answering every question, including our ‘one last question’. Teasing the persistence, he smiled, “As I get up, go for it. Go on with your question, break the rules. Do it…” Excerpts…

You were in India (Jodhpur) seven years ago, to shoot a few scenes of The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR). What’s it like to be back?
It’s nice to return. When I was here in 2011, my visit to Jodhpur for the film (TDKR) was very brief. This time, I got to come back and spend more time in India. I got my family with me. There’s an addition to my family since TDKR — my little boy (Joseph Bale). My family and I went to Delhi. From Delhi, we drove to Agra and then Jaipur. We had a wonderful time there. We also visited the stepwell (Chand Baori) that Christopher Nolan based his set on, for the inescapable prison scenes in The Dark Knight Rises.

On a lighter note, speaking of your road trip in India, did you ever think of driving the Batmobile on Indian roads?
The recent Batmobiles? Absolutely, with the bumps and everything, but it goes rather fast and I don’t want to hurt any cows (laughs!). Unfortunately, my adventures in India came to an end after my road trip to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Mumbai. Thankfully, in Mumbai, I met the kids of a charity that I support, which is a model of foster care that I am

bringing to Los Angeles. You are the master of body transformation and your extreme dedication towards your craft is both admirable and a tad unsettling. What makes you keep going at it? Does it take a toll on your day-to-day life?
Absolutely, it does a take a toll on my life. I like the obsession of acting. The point is, physicality informs your character. It can’t be ignored. We are all affected by our physical selves. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to do what I am doing, so I feel there should be no limits as to how far I can take it. That being said, I am 44 now and if I continue to lose-gain-lose-gain weight, it might have permanent consequences. From now on, I am getting more cautious.

How do you break away from the characters that you take home every time you slip into them?
It takes a while to let go of the characters I play on screen. I am a dad now and that’s my favourite role. My wife and I spend our time with our children and if you are truly devoted to that, it takes up all your time. You don’t have time for anything else, which I love greatly, because when I work, I am absolutely obsessed with that. It’s long hours, but the extreme benefit of acting is that you get this wonderful downtime in between films, when you can devote yourself to being a dad.

Is it true that your wife wasn’t amused with your growly Batman voice?
With Batman, I just felt stupid. Since I wore the suit, I felt like I should sound as monstrous as I could. The one you are referring to is the time after the audition, when I told my wife about it. She told me, “You blew that, didn’t you?”

I was surprised to know that Christopher Nolan doesn’t use a mobile phone. He spoke about his aversion to it when he was in Mumbai a while ago. You are known to be a recluse, too. Do you share that sentiment with him, considering that you are not on social media either?
No, you won’t see me on social media. I just enjoy this (shows his mobile phone), not for its ability for other people to reach out and contact me, but because I have purposely cultivated a great air of irresponsibility. I take a long time to reply to anybody, so they know not to expect any quick responses from me. But phones enable wonderful documentation of children, family and circumstances. I also use them a lot to research for my roles. They can collate pictures that help me study a role better. I have got enormous amounts of Dick Cheney videos (Bale plays former US Vice President Dick Cheney in an upcoming biographical drama) right now on my phone that I can show you. In the photo section, they take your most popular people and list them. My phone thinks that my most popular people are my wife, son, daughter and Dick Cheney (laughs!). The phone creates videos with their own uplifting music and I have lots of such (default) Dick Cheney videos! To sum it up, I do use phones a lot, but I have no interest in using the phone for social media.

In a prior conversation with us, Tom Hanks said, ‘Thanks to rich technology and CGI, superhero films are living up to the promise of comic books. But eventually, the tide will turn and the films that will always remain with you are the real human stories’. As someone who has played Batman, what’s your take on this?
I am a bit more open-minded than that. I feel there’s room for everyone and all kinds of cinema. Just because certain films might not speak to me, doesn’t mean that they won’t speak to other people. It also doesn’t mean that they won’t speak to me at a certain point in the future. That’s the beauty of films. There are so many different styles and genres. There’s room for everybody within that and those stories (superhero films), too, if done well, can have significant human emotions. Otherwise, people wouldn’t relate or love them so much. They might not realise it, no matter how fantastical it gets, but that’s what they are and that’s why people enjoy seeing them.

You are known for essaying intense, brooding characters and while we can’t get enough of them, will we see you doing an out-and-out romantic film? Something like La La Land, perhaps?
You are primarily talking about Batman, right? Yes, most of my characters have been layered, but I feel layering goes beyond brooding. I feel there’s a difference between brooding and romantic. There’s a huge area between them. I think I have done roles that were not brooding, but if you ask me about romance, of all films, they interest me the least. I am more interested in my relationship with my wife (smiles). I have nothing against romantic films; maybe, I will do one at some point in my life. Like I said, we all have moments in our lives where different things interest us. Whatever you take on as an actor, you’ve got to be able to be obsessed with it for months on end; 24/7. I don’t really care to see romance in films particularly.

What draws you to a certain character over the others?
I like challenges. I enjoy characters that push the boundaries and seem almost impossible. I enjoy the idea that I might just ruin it or fail miserably. That thought keeps me humble, but on my toes as well. I like returning to working with directors who’ve worked well with me before. You understand the freedom that a certain director will allow you. I serve the director, so you want to work with a director who sees and assimilates the way you function.

The #MeToo movement has found its voice in India as well. As a male actor, what are your thoughts on it?
It’s incredibly healthy, essential and it’s going in the right direction. To support it is to be on the right side of history. There will always be bumps on the road that come with any sort of change, but, overall, it’s a wonderfully healthy and positive movement that we all will look back on and wonder why it didn’t happen earlier!

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).

On his maiden trip to Mumbai, Christian Bale tells mid-day that there's no escaping Batman for him, but he doesn't mind it at all!
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; November 27, 2018)

Batman, as it were, entered Mumbai — possibly India's very own Gotham City — without making much of a show about it; and he quietly left last night, after attending the global premiere of Andy Serkis's Mowgli, set to stream on Netflix on December 7. We're referring to Christopher Nolan's Batman from the Dark Knight trilogy — actor Christian Bale, of course. And if we did initiate that tiring Delhi-Mumbai debate, about which surely Bale has no clue, the national capital would definitely win in his books.

For, he admits, as we meet for a brief one-on-chat at the JW Marriott, Juhu: "I've had no opportunity to be up and about [in Mumbai] at all. But I did bring over my family, and landed in Delhi five days ago. We did the 'golden triangle' — Jaipur, Agra. We had been to Rajasthan before — Jodhpur, in 2011 — when we came here for The Dark Knight Rises."

It is however Mumbai, showbiz-central, where the impact of his immeasurably wide body of work is most likely to be felt. We bring up one of Bollywood's youngest super-stars, Varun Dhawan, as an instance. Dhawan had revealed to us not long ago that a moment of epiphany — when he felt wholly drawn towards seriously taking up acting as a profession — occurred to him, during college, when he was first blown away by Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).

Does he receive these sorts of compliments in unlikeliest corners, when he travels especially? "I have to say, it's one of the first times I've heard that (laughs). I hope that he [Dhawan] is enjoying himself. I hope I'm not responsible for [something he] regrets." Touching upon another indelible influence of his work in B-Town, we bring up Dhoom 3 (2013) — one of the biggest, local box-office successes of all time — which was undoubtedly a nod to (if not partly plagiarised from) the Bale-starrer, Prestige (2006). Has he at least come across such instances before? "No, it's lovely to hear that, though. Maybe I'm just oblivious to it. But it sounds rewarding," Bale says.

You can sense that this calm/casual indifference towards public appeal is very much part of Bale's intrinsic personality, rather than a put-on for the press. Delving deeper into this aspect, and how that seamlessly flows into his craft, he says, "I definitely find that staying somewhat oblivious helps me as an actor. One inanimate example of that is I've chosen not to learn too much about camera lenses. Many actors I work with, and respect immensely, will always ask [about lenses] to understand how close the camera is. I never ask any of that. I don't care. To me, film acting is the same, regardless. You perform truthfully."

He adds, "What [checking out the frame] would do is actually make me too aware of the incredible job the camera-people are doing, which could be intimidating [during a performance]. So, being in denial [of camera, lights, crew] is very much a part of what acting is about." Bale's latest release though, live-action wizard Serkis's Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle, would've had him dig into an altogether another skill-set, given it's a motion-capture pic that, unlike simply voicing for animation, merges an actor's face and performance, with the computer-generated image, so the black panther on screen is as much as Bagheera, as it is Bale himself!


Christian Bale in The Dark Knight

Over a career spanning 32 years, Bale, 44, who's been nominated for the Oscars thrice (for American Hustle, The Big Short), won once (for The Fighter), has been rightly lauded as a strikingly strong exponent of the 'method' school of acting — in line with Robert De Niro in the '70s—physically, mentally, wholly transforming himself into rather intense roles. Did playing Bagheera in Mowgli seem a relatively more relaxed, down-time for him then? "It's a different level of intensity, because it's sporadic. Usually with a feature film, [once] you start, you know you're going to perform the character for months, and then it would finish. With this [Mowgli], we started it when my son was two months old. He's now four. We would revisit [the role], go back once a year in the room, re-do portions after the principal photography in the actual locations was done."

Given that Bagheera roams around jungles with an Indian village settlement nearby (in keeping with Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book), to mercilessly push the analogy, the role of the desi leopard might be the closest Bale's come to playing a desi character, if you may. Either way, if there's a part that he's likely to be associated with, regardless of where he's in the world, Bale admits, "It'll always be Batman. And I'm proud of that. It'll always be the most iconic, and probably the most successful series of films, that I'll ever make. I recognise that. Chris [Nolan] and I are fortunate to have gone on to make three of them. Therefore, it's lovely when people do talk about it. But it's also equally rewarding, when people mention [my] other films."

Of course, there's a whole lot more!

Freida Pinto on her upcoming release Knight of Cups and why she’s thrilled about Indian actresses making a splash in the West
Tusshar Joshi (DNA; March 15, 2016)

 Freida Pinto’s next big release is a Terrence Malick film Knight of Cups which has her opposite Christian Bale. The actress, who’s thrilled to have worked with both Bale and Mallick says shooting this project was a liberating experience. She also talks to me about why she won’t agree to play a stereotypical Indian brown girl or jump onto the TV bandwagon as yet. Here are excerpts from my conversation with her.....

How was it working with a director like Terrence Malick, who’s known to be unconventional?
For any actor who wants to work with him, I say, ‘Go for it’, it’s such a life-changing experience. The entire formula is flipped around. No dialogues are given to you the night before. There are certain pages for you to think about and reflect upon. Then you go on set and you enjoy the experience of just letting whatever is happening on that particular day, whatever you think that character might be influencing in that particular day and you just actually enjoy it. And the environment he creates for you. It is like experiencing the ‘everyday life’ kind of experience and I definitely had a lot of questions, especially because if you have seen the synopsis of the film, it is about this man who was lost in the world of Hollywood and film industry and glamour and he is searching for himself. It is a quest of life which he is on. It taught me so much, not necessarily for the film, but for life. So yes, it was kind of a spiritual experience. I hope when people watch the film they just have an open mind.

Did you have conversations about Batman with Christian Bale?
Sometimes, when you know that a certain actor has played such an iconic role, it is a little weird to bring this topic up or if he’s fed up of the fact that people call him Batman. So no, I did not really bring it up, but The Dark Knight Rises actually released the same time we were filming, so yes, he was going back and forth and I did not watch the film, while I was filming with Christian. It would have been actually impossible to not ask him questions then. So I waited for the entire shooting of Knight Of Cups to get done with and then I went and watched TDKR. I don’t know how he would want to view himself, but this is my view of him: he is so successful, he is so accomplished and yet at the same time when you see him on a film set, he does not have any airs about him. He basically travelled in the same van as all of us, as a regular technical crew and as the rest of the actors. We were all made to do that. This is what I really loved about Terrence Mallick... He was very patient with us and it didn’t feel like he was directing any of us; he was just helping us enjoy the film. He is a very down-to-earth person. KOC was a very democratic set. We all travelled to the set together as one family.

Both Priyanka and Deepika have signed on Hollywood films. What’s your advice to them?
It is so good, so important and so very timely in a way because everybody has been talking about representation and we have two of the country’s best actresses in international films. At the same time, it is also very important to acknowledge all the people who came before us, before me, before them, because they have all done their little bits and pieces to create avenues for us. It does not matter whether their roles have been big or small or they were in big franchise films or small independent films. I am so excited for this new wave because as much as people are pitting actors or actresses against each other — whatever it is — one thing we should not forget that as soon as we have more people in the global world, there will be more roles created for all of us. So the more people, the more roles! I am super excited about it.

What’s keeping you from signing a Bollywood film?
My answer has always been the same and it has never been that I don’t want to do Bollywood or I don’t want to do regional language film. For me, that conversation is so redundant. In the past eight years, I have said so clearly that I want to be a part of films that have beautiful character-driven stories and at the end of the day, have sincere enough storytelling and if that story happens to be from India, why would I say no? I would absolutely be up for it. It may not necessarily be a big budget film, but I do actually meet people and talk about what they are working on and if they are interested in me, I absolutely take that meeting. In fact, I am producing a film and I do hope that some of my films are made in Indian languages and can be enjoyed and consumed by global audiences. That is the sign of truly successful storytelling. I am very excited I am producing films like that. And I hope it will be consumed by the world.

Priyanka has made a successful crossover in American television with Quantico. Do you see yourself doing TV?
Television is something that I have been looking at, over the last four years, actually. But I’ve been keeping busy and it is actually hard to do films when you’re doing television. I have been busy with my film projects and TV requires a proper time commitment. I always feel when the right project comes my way, no matter what the time commitment, I’ll do it. If the story clicks, there are no two ways about it. You, then, pretty much move any mountain to make that work. I am actually very excited for the work that I am doing because one of them I might be co-producing, I might also explore a television angle.

Are you getting characters that are ethnically ambiguous? Are you still getting the typical ‘brown girl doing the Indian dance’ roles?
Do you think I will be given characters of typical Indian girls and dance? I don’t think so. I don’t think there has been anything apart from Slumdog Millionare, where I have danced as an Indian actor or a brown girl.

Right, but you still get approached for it? Do people still come to you with that mindset?
Not really. To be really honest, I feel after a point, these people stop sending you such projects. I feel it is becoming more and more apparent to everybody to stop writing stereotypical roles, I am sorry, but people from India are not going to play those stereotypical roles. So I think it is becoming more and more clear to the makers of those character-driven roles as well.

Is it true that you are dating polo player Ronnie Bacardi?
I don’t know. I have nothing to say to that one.

Any plans to come visit Mumbai?
I have to come in a few weeks for my cousin’s wedding. All I have been thinking of over the last couple of days, is India.

Freida Pinto, who is back on the big screen again with two big films, talks about working with Christian Bale, facing verbal abuse in her modelling days and dating an industry outsider
Shubha Shetty Saha (MID-DAY; March 12, 2016)

You play a model in Knight Of Cups which hit US theatres yesterday. You have been a model and had mentioned somewhere that in the modelling world, one has to go through a lot of verbal abuse. Can you elaborate?
Yes, you know, what you do and how you are is never good enough. One has to go through a lot to fit in to others’ idea of beauty. They keep reminding you that you are not thin enough; the criticism is constant. And then there’s social media where everyone is a critic. A lot of them are not considerate; in fact, there are a lot of nasty people out there, so poor body image is something that you always grapple with as a model. You feel you are never good enough.

Did that struggling-to-get-accepted ordeal continue even after you stepped into Hollywood?
Not at all. On the contrary, being a different looker can be an asset. I had the most fantastic phase when I came here just after doing Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Anyway, thankfully, I never had that urge to get other people’s approval. I felt that I was special enough and chose to have more confidence in myself. Apart from confidence, one must be willing to take risks, challenges, have the power to go out there and do it, and do something unique. I think the trick is to spend less time worrying about what others say or should say about you. Given that this is a highly glamorous industry, it is easy to fall into the insecurity trap. All of us are real and all of us can get insecure. You need to keep thinking you are enough. What helped me at that time and even now is that I choose to surround myself with real, honest people, who don’t make a big deal of anything that I achieve. It didn’t matter if I was getting the biggest pay cheque or not; all that matters is being a kind, generous person who is not afraid. Even back then, post the Slumdog phase, my inner circle treated me like they would treat any other 22-year-old girl. At that point, you get all the adulation, gifts, bags, clothes but then you realise all this just goes away. I don’t want to be remembered as someone who got all the fame that went to her head. I know that nothing works better than staying true to yourself and having a clear conscience.

Now the obvious question. How was it working with Christian Bale?
Oh, it was a beautiful learning experience. I sometimes forget how lucky I get. He is such a down-to-earth, humble guy, and that’s totally inspiring. He doesn’t make a big deal of his stardom and is just another regular guy.

We hear you are singing in your other film, The Jungle Book…
( Laughs) Yes, that is kind of true and I am really excited about that. I come from a musical family. My mother forced me to learn the keyboard. My sister at 35 is still learning Hindustani music, so this was a great opportunity for me.

How far have you reached with your plans of producing films?
We are under development. I heard they took 18 years to make Gandhi, so one or two more years should be okay. I have passion but no patience. I can’t wait for too long. Also, it has kept me very busy. I want to be hands on with production, so I get involved and forget how many hours I am putting into it. I am enjoying the process, though. We have a couple of films on South Asian stories and one from India.

You are rumoured to be dating investment banker. Is it easier to date someone who’s not from the same field?
Not specifically, but generally speaking, to each his own. Having said that, one just falls in love, you don’t choose who to fall in love with and what profession he is in

Freida Pinto gets chatty on her dream project, new endeavours, Hrithik Roshan and Christian Bale, but is mum on Dev Patel and Sidhartha Mallya
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 5, 2015)


Freida Pinto's days are never normal or routine. Besides her yoga/workouts and some meals, nothing else runs to a pattern. "I sleep strange, I work odd hours and am constantly planning and putting together new ideas. I love the craziness, but I also crave abnormal days, when all I'm doing is lying in bed or soaking in a hot tub and eating sushi," she admits.

However, there's no time to chill now with her dream project, Girl Rising, taking off. The idea is to use moving stories to sensitise people not just to realities but also a need to be a part of the change. "I see this project as a beginning — of awakening, of change, of a movement that will be so inspirational that we will end up having many takers, supporters and volunteers by the time we're ready for phase two," she asserts. Freida admits that they're in talks with key change drivers and policy makers to ensure their ground work bears fruit on a larger scale.

The Prime Minister has aligned the vision with his national campaign, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Frieda who met Narendra Modi during her last visit to India, says he suggested they launch on August 29, as Raksha Bandhan is a meaningful day. "Like us, he believes in the power of good storytelling," she says.

That trip to the Capital also sparked off talks of a music video and an international single with singer-composer Vishal Dadlani next year. Freida laughs, "You've got a few things right and a few things wrong....Vishal, music, next year, are all correct...The rest I cannot reveal yet."

The actress, who shot to fame with the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, is equally evasive about her personal life. She grabbed headlines when pictures of her pole dancing outside a pub on her birthday, Sidhartha Mallya looking on, leaked online. Bring it up and she says, "There is nothing to comment on really." She also refuses to talk about her break-up with Dev Patel, insisting that she has never spoken about her personal life. "So unfortunately this time is no different," she retorts.

Meanwhile, Trishna, was supposed to release early this year in India but didn't. Buzz is, she was unhappy with the Indian cut and the promotional campaign, which portrayed it as a semi-porn film. "Let's just say that I'm happy the film is on Itunes and Netflix. I'm sure those who would like to watch it have a legal way of accessing it," she maintains.

In Bollywood, she loves the work Richa Chadha is doing. "She's smart, intelligent and incredibly talented. A lethal combo," Freida asserts.

She had once stated that she was unable to find roles in a hero-centric Hindi cinema. But today, she is happy to see films that are not just alternative but also that these women-centric stories are getting such phenomenal backing and setups. "I'm open to and excited about working in Indian films with a global appeal," she asserts.

Has she ever felt inferior or discriminated against, particularly in the film studios? "On the contrary I'm proud to have not only been given the opportunity to break barriers but also the credibility and a recognisable launch to execute it successfully," she says. "Gender bias exists without a doubt, but we also have enough and more women who are flagbearers of standing their own ground and creating a space for themselves, like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett."

Speaking about opportunities on the basis of skin tone, she points out that you can't be expected to be cast in a film with an all-Japanese cast. One has to be realistic, aware of one's appeal and ability. "But for every three stereotypical roles, there is at least one good, wholesome, satisfying one too," avers Freida, who enjoys the challenge of changing the game. "It makes work interesting everyday, even if some days get frustrating. I've become adept at adopting a positive, fighter like approach."

Freida has some interesting films coming up, like Blunt Force Trauma and Knight Of Cups, also featuring Christian Bale and Natalie Portman. She says, "In the first I play Colt, the female lead. And this may sound weird, but I haven't seen the latter yet. I actually don't always like watching my films. Also, a Terrence Malick film is hard to describe with word limits, it's a detailed experience. Christian was a brilliant co-star, I learnt a lot from observing him."

There's also lot of curiosity about Jungle Book: Origins. "This is the part where I say ...Patience!" she laughs. "I'm excited for Jungle Book as should everyone else. This is going to be epic!"

Her recent Twitter conversation with Hrithik Roshan made news for days until she replied to his tweet. Any chance of seeing them together on screen? "Hrithik's compliment for my film, Desert Dancer, and my performance was heartwarming. Receiving such kind words from an artiste and performer like him inspires me to do better," she says. "I don't know him well so I can't comment on our rapport. But as an artiste, there will always be shared respect and encouragement for each others' work."

She's heartened by the support from Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Parineeti Chopra, Nandita Das and Sushmita Sen and promises that they'll collaborate more. "I've always believed in collaboration as opposed to creating change singularly. Going solo is usually never successful, it is terrible leadership."