Fan interview with Afshan and Shefali
MuggleNet reader Mischa recently wrote to the two actors who play the Patil sisters in the Potter films. The other day, they received a response from both Afshan and Shefali. In it they express their thoughts on Indian culture in Hollywood, personal favorites, Harry Potter, and more.
Interview with Shefali Chowdhury
1) When and where were you born? I was born in Wales in 1988 (June 20th). Place called Denbeigh. I have good but little memories of that place. Moved to Birmingham when I was six.
2) What are your favorite hobbies? Anything that gives me a rush! I love watching movies also and listening to music. I also write screenplays.
3) What do you do for fun? Currently I am learning how to play the guitar. It's been something I've wanted to do for years. Next is bungee jumping.
4) What type of music do you listen to? I can't fit everything! The Strokes, Joseph Arthur, Jeff Buckley, The Cars, Bright Eyes, Arcade Fire, The Kinks, The Velvet Underground.
5) What's your favorite movie? Again, too many to mention. Among the many are The Shawshank Redemption, My Own Private Idaho, Thelma & Louise, Fight Club.
6) If you could meet anyone back in time that was famous, who would it be? I have so many answers for this! Most of the people I love are dead! I'm not a creepy necrophiliac; they just happen to have passed away! River Phoenix, James Dead, list goes on.
7) Who would you like to meet that's famous now? Tough question. Truthfully I wouldn't like to meet anyone I really admire; sometimes illusions are shattered of the kind of person you expect them to be and who they actually are.
8) What's your favorite gadget? Does my phone count as a gadget? Because I can't live without it, which consequently makes it my favourite.
9) What was it like for you playing Parvati? Would you say that you relate to her or are you different? It was fun playing someone drastically different from my own character! I think everything Parvati is. I would be the complete opposite. I'm less giggly :) ... but slightly CRAZIER.
10) Do you agree that Hollywood needs a taste of the Indian Culture? Ooh definitely. Especially if it means getting me in there! Yeah, I agree Hollywood needs a good kick up the ass concerning Indian actors and actresses. I'm not Indian but Bangladesh is near India right? You have very lovely cheekbones BTW. Alas, I was not blessed with cheeky ones. I do however make a mean cup of coffee.
Eventually I believe there will be an increase in Asian actors. It's inevitable or movies would not be reflecting the realities of modern day society. Especially British movies. I am also in love with certain parts of America - but I have never been there. Particularly, Arizona: something about the colour of the landscape makes it look [unreadable]. One of my screenplays is/are based here. Please excuse the grammar, I am tired having going to sleep at 4 AM. I am however awake enough to wish you all the luck in your career, whichever you plan to pursue. I'm sure you'll make it if you keep trying. Best of luck, and have a great summer.
Interview with Afshan Azad
1) What's your favorite movie? I don't really have a fave movie. I enjoy all movies which have an intriguing storyline.
2) What type of music do you listen to? I love Indie music such as "The Killers" and "Arctic Monkeys," but I'm into all types.
3) What's your favorite gadget? Probably my laptop! As I can take it everywhere with me plus it's got the internet!
4) What are you favorite hobbies? I love listening to music, reading books, hanging out with friends and family.
5) What do you do for fun? I enjoy swimming and going to the cinema with friends. I also am a shopaholic.
6) Which of the Harry Potter books are your favorite? Definitely Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
7) Do you have any pets? No. I'm not really fond of animals.
8) What's your favorite color? I've got lots, at the moment its green, but I also love pink and lilac.
9) Who would you like to meet that's famous? Brad Pitt!
10) Do you agree that Hollywood needs a taste of the Indian Culture? Yes. I do agree that the Asian culture needs a break through in Hollywood, but it is hard for Asians to do this. If more and more people audition, then we would have a greater chance. So go and audition because you never known when you might get your chance!!
1) When and where were you born? I was born in Wales in 1988 (June 20th). Place called Denbeigh. I have good but little memories of that place. Moved to Birmingham when I was six.
2) What are your favorite hobbies? Anything that gives me a rush! I love watching movies also and listening to music. I also write screenplays.
3) What do you do for fun? Currently I am learning how to play the guitar. It's been something I've wanted to do for years. Next is bungee jumping.
4) What type of music do you listen to? I can't fit everything! The Strokes, Joseph Arthur, Jeff Buckley, The Cars, Bright Eyes, Arcade Fire, The Kinks, The Velvet Underground.
5) What's your favorite movie? Again, too many to mention. Among the many are The Shawshank Redemption, My Own Private Idaho, Thelma & Louise, Fight Club.
6) If you could meet anyone back in time that was famous, who would it be? I have so many answers for this! Most of the people I love are dead! I'm not a creepy necrophiliac; they just happen to have passed away! River Phoenix, James Dead, list goes on.
7) Who would you like to meet that's famous now? Tough question. Truthfully I wouldn't like to meet anyone I really admire; sometimes illusions are shattered of the kind of person you expect them to be and who they actually are.
8) What's your favorite gadget? Does my phone count as a gadget? Because I can't live without it, which consequently makes it my favourite.
9) What was it like for you playing Parvati? Would you say that you relate to her or are you different? It was fun playing someone drastically different from my own character! I think everything Parvati is. I would be the complete opposite. I'm less giggly :) ... but slightly CRAZIER.
10) Do you agree that Hollywood needs a taste of the Indian Culture? Ooh definitely. Especially if it means getting me in there! Yeah, I agree Hollywood needs a good kick up the ass concerning Indian actors and actresses. I'm not Indian but Bangladesh is near India right? You have very lovely cheekbones BTW. Alas, I was not blessed with cheeky ones. I do however make a mean cup of coffee.
Eventually I believe there will be an increase in Asian actors. It's inevitable or movies would not be reflecting the realities of modern day society. Especially British movies. I am also in love with certain parts of America - but I have never been there. Particularly, Arizona: something about the colour of the landscape makes it look [unreadable]. One of my screenplays is/are based here. Please excuse the grammar, I am tired having going to sleep at 4 AM. I am however awake enough to wish you all the luck in your career, whichever you plan to pursue. I'm sure you'll make it if you keep trying. Best of luck, and have a great summer.
Interview with Afshan Azad
1) What's your favorite movie? I don't really have a fave movie. I enjoy all movies which have an intriguing storyline.
2) What type of music do you listen to? I love Indie music such as "The Killers" and "Arctic Monkeys," but I'm into all types.
3) What's your favorite gadget? Probably my laptop! As I can take it everywhere with me plus it's got the internet!
4) What are you favorite hobbies? I love listening to music, reading books, hanging out with friends and family.
5) What do you do for fun? I enjoy swimming and going to the cinema with friends. I also am a shopaholic.
6) Which of the Harry Potter books are your favorite? Definitely Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
7) Do you have any pets? No. I'm not really fond of animals.
8) What's your favorite color? I've got lots, at the moment its green, but I also love pink and lilac.
9) Who would you like to meet that's famous? Brad Pitt!
10) Do you agree that Hollywood needs a taste of the Indian Culture? Yes. I do agree that the Asian culture needs a break through in Hollywood, but it is hard for Asians to do this. If more and more people audition, then we would have a greater chance. So go and audition because you never known when you might get your chance!!
Posted by Andrew on Jul 26th |
88 Comments
Visitor Comments
Neat-o :)
That is so good - they reply to letters together despite how busy they may be!
nice. and i agree "hollywood needs a good kick up the ass" haha
lol nice one ! :-)
Whoo! Top 10! By the way, I believe it should be the Patil sisters. Not the Parvati sisters.
that's cool!
I think hollywood does need to open up and accept that asia is a huge part of our society now and that they need to accept asian etc actors.
Hah! Nice. Shefali's answers were better; she really put some thought into those. Bravo to Mischa for getting that.
It's really cool how they responded with such detailed responses to Mischa! Yay, top 10 post..!
"I agree Hollywood needs a good kick up the ass concerning Indian actors and actresses." Rofl. That was hilarious. I had to re-read to make sure my weary eyes weren't fooling me.
Er... isn't it the Patil sisters? Not the Parvati sisters. She's just one of them! Get it right, Andrew! All this Las Vegas hype is going to your head! Just kidding, you're great. Just... please change that, it's bugging me!
Great !! They sound nice ... :)
It's great that they wrote back ... and too right Hollywood needs a kick up the ass! lol btw - 'Patil' not 'Parvati' ;)
Wow, I didn't even catch that. Hm. I live in Las Vegas... I must meet the mugglenet staff! I know, I should write to an actor to see if they write back. Write something crazy like, "If you got the chance to punch any actor in their face because of their horrible acting, who would it be?"
Cool.They sound nice. And Hollywood totally needs a kick up their ass concerning Indian actors..
Shifali's answers were probably better.there should be more indian actors in Hollywood.
I agree with Boo_On_You tha twould be funny if they actually answered
really nice these gils are. i am shocked to say one of them is bangladeshi?????????
gr8........now vll have indian actors on da scene....they shud take hrithik roshan...i bet many of u dont kno who he is.....hes hott
i liked the interviews...hollywood duz need a good kick in the ass! lol!!! tht appears 2 b quite a popular comment! we might jus hav indian actors on da scene soon...u never kno. i kno hu hrithik roshan is. he looks ok. but do u really think he'll be good in hollywood movies??? i guess evry1 has diff opinions...
I LOVED those girls in the film, especially Shefali. It's really nice of them to reply despite their busy schedules; can't wait to see them again in the 5th movie! Hollywood already has a huge Indian influence now, thanks to Aiswarya Rai. Which is a good thing, it'll be easier for me to break into the market. :) Nah, I think I'd rather be a psychiatrist.
well that was interesting
That was nice of them to reply, but I really liked Shefali's answer to "Do you agree that Hollywood needs a taste of the Indian Culture?" That was hilarious! :{)
Yay Afshan! Arctic Monkeys rule!
I definitly agree, there should be some merging of Bollywood and Hollywood. I don't know about Hrithik Roshan....he's an excellent dancer, but Shah Rukh Khan is perfect. Shah Rukh Khan is one of the best actors around. If they got him into some Hollywood movies, fans would flock and ticket sales would rise, just because of him!
That was nice that they replied with such detailed answers. I really think that Hollywood needs more indian actors. Even though Aishwara Rai acted in Hollywood I personally thought that Bride & Predijuce (Is that the name? I could've gotten it mixed up.) was an awful movie. And I know I'm probably alone on this but I personally don't think that Aishwara Rai is that good of an actor! But anywayz i'm really glad the they both wrote back.
Shefali gave the way better answers. Much more detailed and somewhat more personnal. That being said it was very cool of both of them to write back.
Why do they both, when asked about Indian culture, mention Asian cultures?
i agree with radishearrings...i 2 think that aishwarya rai is an AWFUL actress...even i didnt like bride and predjudice...newayz...it would be really cool if indian actors appeared in hollywood films. what shefali said makes a lot of sense. but it doesnt hav 2 be the current bollywood actors...wut about sum new faces out there???
that's a good CULTURAL experience...
i think the girl who play Pavarti should give talking a rest...
wow that's great, they seem really nice. It seems like Shefali Chowdhury put more thought into all of her answers...
i totally agree with radishearrings, aishwarya rai is not that good of an actress, shes pretty i am not denying that but i think that now after getting all this attention (from hollywood) shes gettign a lil annoying.. oh well.. hollywood can use some indian/asain culture in their movies :P
OMG!!!!! I wud like ttly wanna audition if i NEW where to!!!! Wow i luv da kick-ass phrase!!!! rawk on gurl!!!
dumb! dumb! dumb!
I love afshan and Shefali! i think they are an inspiration to all young american-asian, and british-asian, kids that acting is NOT out of the question. If they can star in the most famous movie, then others can too. I personally think that we need more indian- american actors in Hollywood.
thats so cool that they replied! Shefali and Afshan are right, it would be cool if there were Indian actors in Hollywood...off topic but i agree with miss_vj and radishearrings and all the other ppl that aishwarya rai isnt a good actress anymore and i think hrithik roshan is an awesome actor and he can dance really well and do all these weird things (and he has 11 fingers!!!)
that's cool. but what was the point? probably... i don't know. but it was a fun read...
Not only in Holywood needs to know about Asian Culture, but from all the culture to have a understanding in how they are, life, customs, etc. So we need some good actors in general to show this.
That was really interesting. Yeah Arctic Monkeys, The Cars, and Arcade Fire!! I didn't think bride and prejudice was that bad but I LOVED Bend It Like Beckham. That was awesome. And Andrew, I think that yours and Ben's blog is hilarious. I wish I was in Vegas!
There is an american movie called 'American Dheli' and it's kind of funny cause i can understand the indian culture stuff in it and the jokes made because im indian!
Hm, I have a friend named Shefali
oh i thought she meant Birmingham, Alabama at first. that really shows how much i know
annfelton-ur right..they should take hritik roshan..hes acts really well. =] cool.
duude.. did hrithink get his double thumb removed? any ideas? go indians!! i should have been parvati :]
im surprised..there are soo many desis commenting today..ahah its funny =]
very interesting....very nice of them to answer :)
lolz well i just have to say that i wish they would put asian americans in hollywood movies like its no big deal...cuz nowadays it seems like if u put an asian in a starring role in a hollywood movie its only because the storyline is about an indian-born growing up in california or something. but if its just a normal american story about a normal american..say teenager...no asian actor/actress would ever be chosen, unless for a supporting role, cuz supposedly they are not the typical american. oh and i have to say that i loved bride and prejudice..it was so funny! that err..aishwarya (sp??) lady...is not that gifted of an actress but she did okay in this movie, since b&p wasnt rly 2b taken that seriously lol
Thant's neat. they did a really nice job in the movie, and they seem like really nice girls. Perfect for their parts
Shefali seems nice...bubbly. I was a little suprised that those two really were pretty good in GoF, as far as minor parts go. ;)
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