Freida Pinto

18 Oct, 1984 | Mumbai

Actress

Biography

Freida Selena Pinto is an Indian actress who has appeared mainly in American and British films. She was born in Mumbai to Sylvia Pinto, a principal of St. John’s High School (Goregaon), and Frederick Pinto, a senior branch manager at the Bank of Baroda. Her family hails from the Mangalorean Catholic community, a prominent Christian community in Bombay. Her older sister Sharon Pinto is an associate producer at the NDTV news channel. Pinto graduated from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Career Before being selected for Slumdog Millionaire, Freida anchored the international travel show, Full Circle on Zee International Asia Pacific in English between 2006-07. Besides this, she also featured in several television and print commercials for products such as Wrigleys Chewing Gum, Škoda, Hutch, Airtel, and De Beers. Ramp shows and magazine covers are also part of her resume. She modelled for two years before meeting Danny Boyle and being cast in Slumdog Millionaire. After spending six months giving auditions for films, she got a call to audition for Slumdog Millionaire. She was short-listed and finally selected for the movie. Pinto made her debut film Slumdog Millionaire 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. 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 has also been nominated for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the 2009 BAFTA Awards.