Freida Pinto has said that director Danny Boyle deserves to receive Indian citizenship because of his true understanding of Mumbaikar – the people who live in Mumbai. The actress told Metro that people who work in call centres in India connected with Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto said: “My entire crew make fun of me but I think Danny Boyle should get Indian citizenship because he really got under the skin of a Mumbaikar better than anyone else.

“He has not been naïve about the fact when you come to Mumbai you see slums. It is just the way it is.”

She added: “When you are starting off with no acting skills, acting with him is a blessing. He is enigmatic.”

Boyle’s Jai Ho trust recently purchased a new home for child cast member Azharuddin Ismail, whose house was demolished.