E-Paper
Dev Patel learns to speak English desi style
UK-based Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire’s Jamal, has trained in English language spoken the Indian way for Hollywood film with help from girlfriend Freida Pinto. Read on to know more.
Dev Patel would surely appreciate Amitabh Bachchan’s line of dialogue from
Namak Halaal
, “English is a phunny language.” Reason: the
Slumdog Millionaire
actor took a crash course to perfect English language spoken the Indian way for his upcoming Hollywood project,
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
.
Director John Madden insisted that the UK-based 21-year-old learns to speak English the way Indians raised in the sub-continent do since he plays an Indian character in the film.
Indians are generally perceived to have a stiff upper lip with respect to pronunciation. The accent also differs from the rest of the world.
It’s learnt from reliable informers that girlfriend Freida Pinto helped him with a couple of tips.
Slumdog Millionaire’s
Latika was even spotted on the sets of the
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
a couple of times chit chatting with Dev.
An eyewitness, on condition anonymity, says, “Freida and Dev gelled well on the sets. She was trying to make him speak English with Indian accent.” Understandably, it mustn’t have been too difficult for Freida since she was a Malad denizen before shifting base to the US.
Language expert and diction trainer Vidur Chaturvedi confirms that he trained Dev. “I had a 20-day session with him in Jaipur. He’s a focussed actor and grasps lessons quickly. Freida also came to the sets a few times. She’s a nice girl,” he elaborates.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
was shot in Rajasthan a while ago. The film top lines Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Dame Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy and is the story of a Bangalore-based residence meant for the elderly.
