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."

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 21, 2014)

Over 125 million girls and women, across 29 countries, have suffered the ill effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). And according to UNICEF figures, one out of every three women between the age of 20 and 24 was married before they turned 18, and 23 million girls, i.e. 11 per cent of the world population, wed before they were 15.

To bring an end to these age-old evils, the first Girl Summit, in partnership with the UNICEF, is being hosted in the UK. Among those making their presence are UK's Home Minister, Theresa May, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and actor-activist Freida Pinto. Tomorrow, Freida will deliver the closing speech, along with UK's Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.

Speaking about the cause, Freida says, "Girls and women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination and achieve their potential, but some of them are being prevented from doing so by these harmful practices which are illegal in the UK."

Horrified that the practices continue in India too, the actress has decided to raise her voice against the violation of human rights. "At the summit, I will discuss how ending child marriage and FGM can preserve a girl's childhood, promote her education, and reduce her exposure to violence and abuse, allowing her to make choices about her future and fulfil her potential," she says.

Earlier, Frieda was part of the 2013 feature, Girl Rising directed by Academy Award nominee Richard E Robbins. The story of nine girls from nine countries, it had narrations by Anne Hataway, Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra,Chloe Grace Moretz, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Alicia Keys and Kerry Washington. Frieda gave the 'Call for Action', reaching out to the people to build a movement.

On the professional front, she has wrapped up two films, Terrence Malick's Knight Of Cups, an American drama co-starring Christian Bale, Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett, and Richard Raymond's biopic, Desert Dancer on Afshin Ghaffarian who risked his life to become a dancer despite a nationwide dancing ban in Iran.

The films could open towards the year-end or early 2015. Before that, Freida will start another film in the last quarter of 2014. "It's a bio-pic which she will not only act in but also co-produce it," says a source.