Freida pinto

Born on October 18, 1984
Freida Pinto is an Indian actress and professional model, best known for her performance as Latika in her debut film Slumdog Millionaire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2009.

"They’re completely cool about it. We were worried and they’re all running around having a laugh about it. It was absolutely the right thing to do to bring them over. The film’s adult co-stars, 18-year-old Dev Patel and 24-year-old Freida Pinto, got a kick out of seeing the kids receive the star treatment. While me and Freida have been hogging everything, these kids are big stars ... This is some of the appreciation they deserve." was said in The Oakland Press
"Honestly, Freida Pinto's gown at the Oscars was disastrous. Though her stylist and make-up artist said that Frieda is now international and so she wore a gown, she could have worn a gown made by an Indian designer - that would've infused some Indian-ness." was said in DNA India
"Look at destiny. Look at the kids! People are going mad over Freida Pinto. The photographers won't leave her in peace for even a second. Freida has signed American director Woody Allen and Dev Patel has signed filmmaker Manoj Shyamalan. We're going to see much more Bollywood-Hollywood collaborations in future" was said in India Times Movies
"It's a historical moment and a special occasion. This has made all Indians happy. The parents of Freida Pinto, actress in the film, are from Karnataka. Her father is from Udupi and mother from Mangalore" was said in Times of India

"Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting Quantum of Solace. She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent, but she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig’s arm" was said in The Inquisitr

Pinto studied at Carmel of St. Joseph School in Malad and completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English Literature from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. She currently resides in Malad, a suburb of Mumbai.

She is also trained in different forms of Indian classical dance as well as Salsa.

Pinto met Rohan Antao while attending St Xavier's College in Mumbai. The two began dating and got engaged in 2008, but Pinto called off the engagement in January 2009

Before starring in Slumdog Millionaire, Freida anchored the international travel show, Full Circle on Zee International Asia Pacific in English between 2006-08. Pinto was also featured in several television and print advertisements for products such as Wrigley's Chewing Gum, Škoda, Vodafone India, Airtel, and DeBeers. Pinto modeled for four years and appeared in runway shows and magazine covers. She learned acting from The Barry John's Acting Studio in Andheri and was trained by his mentor Barry John. After six months of auditions, she received a call to audition for Slumdog Millionaire. Pinto auditioned for Danny Boyle and was short-listed and finally selected to star in Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto made her film debut in 2008. Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on a game show and exceeds people's expectations, arousing the suspicions of the game show host and of law enforcement officials. In the movie, Pinto played the role of Latika, the girl with whom Jamal (Dev Patel) is in love. At the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, the movie won the Cadillac People's Choice Award. At the 2009 Golden Globe Awards, the movie won four awards. Pinto herself was nominated for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the 2009 BAFTA Awards, and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside ten other cast members from Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto has been cast in Woody Allen's next film set in London. Other cast members include Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, and Naomi Watts. Shooting for the film starts in July 2009

How hard is it to break into India’s film industry?
It’s really difficult. You have to have a godfather or parents who can get you in. I got into modeling for the visibility factor, hoping that portals would open up for me to act. I did a lot of print because people found me too skinny in India to do television. We have the voluptuous, full-figured woman thing. People say I need to get a boob job, but I’m just comfortable the way I am.

Is Bollywood as sleazy as Hollywood is?
Three or four years back, I was auditioning for a film and I met this man who was like, “We can be good friends,” with a twinkle in his eye. I knew where that was coming from, and it didn’t feel right.

Would you ever do nudity or a sex scene?
I don’t think I’d have an issue [doing a love scene], but it all depends on the director—what kind of work he’s done in the past. In India, I probably wouldn’t do something like that; it’s kind of taboo. It usually gets cut off at the censorship board level, so what’s the point of having shot it?

Have you ever used your acting abilities to manipulate men?
Hmm… [Laughs.] If you have it, you gotta use it.

Awards and honours

Won
2009: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Slumdog Millionaire

Nominated
2008: Black Reel Awards of 2008 - Best Ensemble for Slumdog Millionaire
2009: 62nd BAFTA Awards - Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Slumdog Millionaire