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
South-Asian culture definitely needs to become more involved in the world of western movies. I think that Hollywood needs to show some versitility as far as actors go in their movies. Sure everyone likes seeing Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise (even though i really don't like them) in movies, but god get some new talent!! I think that the two Patil sisters did an amazing job as far as their acting went in GoF!!! Will Shefali be returning for the next few movies for her little parts here and there? I really did like her answers, she seems really down to earth!
In answer to emlincoln's post: "Why do they both, when asked about Indian culture, mention Asian cultures?" In the UK, parts of Europe, and Africa, the term "Asian" is used to describe people of Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, etc. descent. It is secondarily used (or in the UK's case almost never) to describe people of Chinese/Japanese/Korean descent. For a clearer definition go check out "Asian" on wikipedia.
Shefali said that she likes Arizona! That's so cool cause I'm from AZ! Why would anyone like AZ, though? I mean, it's like 120 degrees (farenheit) outside and it's only noon!!!
hey im an indian so theres this information id like 2 give u all.....bangladesh waz a part of india b4,and it became bangladesh only after partition so shefali is indirectly an indian (lol)....also i really think hollywood n bollywood actors r g8 so long as they stick 2 da place where they belong.....i mean aishwarya rai is amazing here in bollywood (ud knw if uve seen movies like devdas)...but she really crapped up bride n prejudice...a hollywood actor shld work in a bollywood movie only if da script really needs it n vice versa...like in harry potter they needed 2 indians so tht worked..like i doubt da two will make a mark as a female lead in any hollywood film...they will just not b accepted..
its really cool that they responded =]
they sound really cool :]
Well, they are pretty interesting don't you think? But some of answer i personally think was just stuff to stuck up their fame shooting the 4th movie. Don't take me wrong, i do like them very much! but i really doen't like people to lie for fame and fortune. cheers!
They both seem like nice people, and Shefali seems wonderfully exciting, although I could tell that Afshan is a person I would probably like to be friends with -- I just think that Shefali was more thoughtful with her answers. I agree with a lot of what she said, as well.
OMGG shes from BANGLADESH!! SO AM I!! OMG I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS! good job *dies*
AMEN to the #10s. I agree; us Asians need to get ourselves out there.
Hmm.. i dont realli watch indian movies as much.. but if anyone has watched a propa indian movie.. (like Devdas.. which made me cry) and watched Bent it like Beckham or Bride and Prejudice.. will know that bollywood and hollywood are SEPARATE!!for a reason!!! saying that i dont watch bollywood movies..(but if i do subtitles are a MUST!) lol
I loved them in the movie, specially the parts where everytime they passed by Harry they greeted him, both at the same time. :) I think they're really nice and, by the way, I know this is completly off topic, but my cat just fell asleep on top of my OotP book wich I'm reading for the 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,001 time. :)
Cool! The only problem I ahd with them in GoF was that they don't look a THING alike... except maybe they're supposed to be non-identical... I always got the feeling that Parvati and Padma were identical
There are so many typos on the interview with Shefali.'James Dead', 'The Stokes', fix these would ya?!!Typos annoy me, sorry I'm just one of those obsessive people who like everything purrrrfect.On her website is the original letter/interview, the part that says 'unreadable' on this site SO obviously says 'otherworldly'. What are you people blind??!! Sorry, I'll breathe easier now.
Another nit pick, I've just read her letter again and you can CLEARLY see that she says'alas I was not blessed with CHEKKBONES' not 'cheeky ones' which doesn't even make sense anyway!Would you just get it right?Sorry, I'll truly calm down now.
I think they are just about perfect for Padma and Parvati..
ILJD- what's Shefali's website?
Um, wait, aren't they twins? How come they have different last names? Or, are the characters just sisters, not twins, so the actors don't have to be real sisters..... i dunno, someone explain this to me.
I agree with the Indians in Hollywood! my friend is writing a script that we plan to make a movie in 2012 or 2013....so watch out for The Warrior Kingdoms United: The Beginning! WOOO! I'm indian...so it will be good for hollywood to see me....but i have to take some acting classes before....because i think my acting sucks....!
IHeartAndrewSims, the actors are not related. The characters, Padma and Parvati are twins. The actors look enough alike to play twins.
You are definitely right! Asian culture should be accepted more openly by Hollywood. As an Asian myself, I hope that Hollywood accepts more Asian Actors/Actresses. Afshan and Shefali, thank you for taking the time to tell us more about yourselves.
Someone earlier in the post asked why the girls started talking about Asian culture when asked about Indian culture. This is because India is a part of Asia, it is an Asian country.
that was really nice! shefali & afshan r very good but i think they could hav taken some better than then both
marsisbrighttonight here's the link to Shefali's website http://www.freewebs.com/shefali_chowdhary/
I guess that was pretty cool...go BANGLADESH!! lol.
Wonder way the questions were so much better that were asked of Shefali than with Afshan["What's your favorite color?",wish she had been asked the "back in time question"]She should have been asked the same questions as Shefali ,those were interesting[or maybe she was asked and she just didn't answer them.].---They are both so intelligent .But I wonder why when Shefali was asked about --if she could "go back in time" she said she would have to name people who were dead-I thought it strange sense going "back"in time means they would be.lol!-----Nice interviews though.Thanks,very much!Mischa,for sharing them with us.:)
thats really cool, wow i never knew they were Bangladeshi! I AM BANGLADESHI! haha some people even said i looked like Shefali, except that i have very lighter skin. THAT IS SOOO COOL! I WANNA BE A HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS! do u think they will hook me up in hollywood? lol. i wish. I soo wish i can play Parvati or Padma in a Potter film *dramatic sigh* i guess it shall never happen.
That was an interesting interview. Nice of them to write back. It's amazing how they probably have never met each other before HP yet play twins! My sis and I wanted to play the Patil twins... good for them though
Afshan likes the Killers? Yay! They're one of my favorite modern bands. I really thought that Shefali put a lot of thought into her answers...but they both seem like they'd be pretty nice.
Afshan doesn't have pets? What the heck? But animals rock!!
They are so lucky. And they seem nice.
Ah, hollywood does need some Indian/Eastern culture influencein some movies. These girls showed some promise in the HP films and i hope to see more roles opening for them in the future. Im glad the person such a good response.
Shefali is sooo funny!!LMAO!I love her taste in music and films, this girl is cool!Maybe it was because Afshan got boring questions, but her answers were well..boring lol it seemed like she stuck to the typical girly, tried and tested answers: "I'm a shopaholic".. I want to meet Brad Pitt.. I dunno, but it was nice of her to reply.Shefali seems like the type of person I'd have a laugh with ;-)
yay!!! I'm Bengali too!! ( by the way it's not Bangladeshi) Hollywood does need a good kick up the ass where Indian actors are concerned. Bollywood is hot!! and I agree that hrithik roshan is hot, espessialy paired with Priety Zinta or Ashwaryia Rai. actually, Loonze, if you saw some of Aishwaria's hindi movies, you would know that she is a very gifted actress. I love Harry Potter!!!!!!
woot bengaliness....cause that's the way to go.
yeah... alot of desi people commenting today. that's so cool!!!
Those two are very nice actresses and also quite nice in person as it seems. I would love to see them have more of a role in the Potter films, and maybe in some other productions. Being an American born Indian with a huge bit of British injected...I agree that America/Hollywood could open up to some Asian influence. The talent in India is quite amazing, and while a lot of people in the states aren't aware of it, it's actors like Afhsan and Shefali who open up the doors.
I love Harry Potter!!!!
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