Meena Iyer (DNA; September 12, 2018)

One of India’s most famous exports, Freida Pinto walks in 40 minutes late for this interview. She apologises profusely because she has just landed at an unearthly hour from a foreign destination and is obviously sleep-deprived. Without wasting any further time, she delves straight into shop talk about Tabrez Noorani’s Love Sonia (an upcoming drama on human trafficking) and her other projects in the West.

Tell us about your involvement with Love Sonia.
Love Sonia has stayed with me for 10 years. Tabrez was a producer on Slumdog Millionaire (2008). While working on that film, he was writing this movie and told me that he was keen to direct it. Later, he asked me to read the script. Once I did, I was extremely disturbed by the subject. It was an important story and I wanted to be a part of it. I assured him that whether it was helping him cast actors or anything else, I would be actively involved. It took us a decade to get the right people as it’s difficult to find financiers for such films. When the project came together, he recalled how from 2008 onwards, I had read other actress’ parts and particularly enjoyed reading Rashmi’s lines. I loved the character’s complexity and craziness as well as the fact that she was unpredictable. He asked me if I’d like to portray her on screen. I told him my name was written all over it (laughs).

How did you manage to keep the interest alive in the subject for such a long time?
A lot of people think that when you make such a movie, it must be depressing. I can’t speak for Mrunal (Thakur), her role is a lot more intense. But Richa (Chadha), Manoj (Bajpayee), Raj (Rajkummar Rao) and I had a blast while shooting. Yes, there are scenes that are dark and disturbing, but as soon as we finished filming it, we knew why we were making Love Sonia. We wanted people with determined minds to be part of the movement that puts an end to this brutality. As for keeping my interest alive in this film for 10 years, Tabrez is a dear friend of mine. We live about 15 minutes apart from each other in Los Angeles. He and I would talk about this film and many other projects, we’re working on a bunch of things about which I can’t reveal anything more yet. But Tabrez and I are partners. He’s been my mentor, a lot of people don’t know that I learnt everything from him as a producer. If I ever direct a film, I would prod him on the set to mentor me there as well. The interest is alive because the subject matter of Love Sonia is relevant, probably more now than it was 10 years ago. The fact is that people are going to listen to a story like this.

What are the other projects that you are working on right now?
I’ve shot two movies earlier this year. One of them is with American actor Leslie Odom Jr (of Hamilton, a musical on Broadway, fame). Four-five months later, we ended up doing another film with John Ridley (who won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 Years A Slave). Later this year, I also have Mowgli. It’s fantastic that I have these two indie films coming up, both of which are love stories. I’d like to do something like Love Sonia once in a while. I want to indulge in more of human stories. There are also a couple of passion projects that I’m producing.

Your trips and films in India have been few and far in between. Filmmakers haven’t been able to tempt you with better scripts?
They are not few. You know that I come home for more than just Christmas. Whenever I come to India, my goal is not just to reconnect with Mumbai or the industry but with my country and different parts of it. The way you grow as an actor, you keep yourself connected to human stories across the nation and the world as opposed to just keeping it secluded to one part or industry. So, for me, it’s never been just about work. I see my growth as an actor by having new experiences. It’s not about tempting me with the right script, it’s wherever and however they find me. If I feel passionate about it, I will do it. I’m not waiting for something to happen. I have this belief that the right thing gets attracted to you.

As a viewer, are you in touch with Hindi cinema?
I enjoyed watching Hichki at the Melbourne International Film festival. Rani Mukerji and I were on the same platform to talk about our respective projects. It’s so moving that such subjects find a way to reach the audience and enlighten them. Not many people knew about Tourette Syndrome before Rani did that film. Likewise, when she did Black (2005), many of us learnt for the first time what visually and hearing impaired people go through. So, I keep in touch with Hindi cinema as and when I can.

I’m asking you this because you’ve relocated to LA and left Mumbai behind.
I don’t think I have left Mumbai behind. My debut film gave me such a fantastic opportunity; name one person who wouldn’t take it on. I’ve made myself a career that no one has been able to do before. Now, it gives me an even bigger opportunity to straddle both worlds as and when I want to. Also, if there is something that I don’t want to do, I’m finally in a position to say no. Also due to digital platforms, in the near future, we won’t be talking about borders and boundaries any more, but letting content and storytelling take the lead.

Take, for instance, Sacred Games. Not just Indians, but people from across the world are watching it. Stories from the West, England and France are inspiring. There is such beautiful storytelling in America. My favourite example is The Untouchables, the foreign language film that people want to remake even in India.

Would you do a Hindi love story?
Love Sonia is in Hindi. Previously, I did Trishna which was not just in Hindi but also in Marwari. I had to learn a language that I didn’t even speak. So, I have done Hindi films (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