Latika146;s Theme

Three years ago, Freida Pinto was just another Literature and Film Appreciation student at St Xavier8217;s College, Mumbai, who eagerly attended screenings of Danny Boyle films like Trainspotting and 28 Days Later.

Freida Pinto on how she auditioned for six months to be part of Danny Boyle8217;s Slumdog Millionaire

Three years ago, Freida Pinto was just another Literature and Film Appreciation student at St Xavier8217;s College, Mumbai, who eagerly attended screenings of Danny Boyle films like Trainspotting and 28 Days Later. Today, the success of her debut film, Boyle8217;s Slumdog Millionaire, has transformed her into a red-carpet-worthy star. 8220;I8217;m pinching myself. I find it hard to believe that this movie has become such a huge hit,8221; says Pinto.

The 24-year-old is ecstatic about being part of the Boyle brand of filmmaking, not to mention sharing screen-space with Anil Kapoor. 8220;There are many films about Mumbai, but this one must be the most honest effort,8221; says the actor, who plays the stunning vixen Latika who doubles as the hero Jamal8217;s love interest and inspires him to keep going despite a life of hardship, which includes getting tortured after winning a million rupees in a game show. 8220;Hats off to Danny for depicting the slums like he did. Nothing was masked or touched up,8221; says Pinto.

Two actors, Rubina and Tanvi, play Latika8217;s younger days, so Pinto had to draw from their work. 8220;When I went for my first shot, I had already seen their scenes and there was enormous pressure because I had to match up to their performance,8221; says Pinto.

She says she had wanted to act ever since she was five, and that 8220;the urge grew stronger after watching Charlize Theron8217;s Monster as part of our course8221;, but she did not wait around for a big Bollywood break or a godfather. Instead, she did the most practical thing that came by. 8220;I got a chance to host an international travel show, and took it up without hesitation,8221; she says. It was here that Pinto earned her audition for the role in Slumdog Millionaire. 8220;The casting director told me Boyle was coming to India to shoot this film, and they were looking for actors to play the roles of Jamal, Salim and Latika. I didn8217;t believe them. I thought why would Danny Boyle come to India to shoot a film?8221;

Pinto finally bagged the role after auditioning for almost six months. 8220;I would go in for an audition every month. Every time Danny would say, 8216;Fantastic, I will see you again8217;,8221; says Pinto, adding that in the long run it was all worth it. 8220;It was like attending an acting school, which I hadn8217;t done prior to that.8221; Now, perhaps, she can prepare for the Golden Globe night.