Slumdog to stardom: How Freida Pinto has adapted to the demands of fame

In just three years, Freida Pinto has turned from ‘Slumdog’ neopphyte into one of Hollywood’s hottest properties, witha starring role in the new ‘Planet of the Apes’ reboot. But, she reveals to Sam Peters, she was more than happy to shoot her latest film back in India.

“Rough! Sad! Tragic!” Freida Pinto is saying with wide-eyed gusto. The 26-year-old, Mumbai-born actress is talking about her most recent filming experience, shooting Trishna, a new version of Tess of the d’Urbervilles with Michael Winterbottom. “Whatever you wanna call it, that was that film,” Pinto continues. “But Tess is one of those books anyway. With just 10 or 15 per cent of happy moments. Or less than that.” Pinto furrows her brow slightly. “I would say 12 per cent.”

The British director of foodie road-movie-cum-sitcom The Trip, 24 Hour Party People, A Mighty Heart, A Cock and Bull Story, 9 Songs, The Road to Guantanamo and myriad others is a man of wildly eclectic tastes. Thus, for Winterbottom, a modern Indian version of Thomas Hardy’s stoutly English, 19th-century tragedy was perhaps the most obvious thing in the world.