She looks every bit a Hollywood star as she poses confidently in her little black dress and matching stilettos.

Freida Pinto, female lead in the much acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire, is enjoying every minute of her new found stardom. “It’s been a great homecoming,” she says with a tired but contented smile. The Indian premiere last night has kept the jet-lagged actress on her toes ever since she came back from the Golden Globes.

“I need to treasure these moments for the rest of my life. For someone who’s never acted before, this break was a blessing. Working for Danny Boyle was like attending the best acting school. When we started working, he told me, ‘Life isn’t always the same. Brace yourself for the world!’ The attention does get overwhelming at times and I’m still getting used to it. I’m a shy, reserved girl. Even when today someone compliments me, I get very embarrassed,” she says with laugh.

The last week has been almost surreal for the ex-Xavierite. “Suddenly everyone needs my opinion and wants to know everything about me! Just yesterday a man stopped me to ask if he could take a picture with me. The adulation has been very unexpected. At the Golden Globes, I felt like Alice in Wonderland on the red carpet. Being among all those stars was a very humbling experience and was even more special because I’ve struggled to get where I am,” says the dusky beauty.

And what about the criticism that came her way for the off-shoulder couture dress she wore at the awards function? “It seemed right at that time,” she says with a pout. “But I’m obviously going to be more careful now.” Bollywood is yet to reckon her although she’s already made up her mind on doing any type of meaningful cinema. “I’m open to Chinese, British, African or any other type of cinema that I find appealing enough,” she declares.
Her co-star Dev Patel recently described Freida as his soulmate. “I heard about that,” she grins. “What he meant was that we connected the most on the sets since we were both aspiring actors who thought alike and who’d just got their big break. And once the movie released, we helped each other cope with all the slew of attention that came our way.” Her parents are, of course, thrilled about their daughter’s success. “They’ve almost got a rehearsed speech ready to recite about the film to everyone they meet. And my mum is preparing a scrapbook for me, which contains every thing that has been published on me,” she laughs.

Has she changed since Slumdog Millionaire fell into her lap? “Not at all. I’m still the same, sensitive and simple girl who always dreamed about being an actress. The only thing that’s changed is that the girl walking around in jeans and tees has now taken to wearing designer dresses,” she chuckles. “Being in the public eye is unnerving at times but I think it’s a small price everyone pays for fame. But I keep telling myself all the time — I’m an actor, not a star.”

Source: Times of India