Are you the new Bond girl?
No. Not as of now. That is all hogwash.

Reportedly you have also been signed on as the brand ambassador for cosmetic giant Estee Lauder?
I do not know where all this comes from. Nothing has been confirmed!

Slumdog Millionaire, your debut film won 8 Academy Awards and innumerable other awards at film festivals worldwide. How does it feel?
Every moment of the journey was nothing short of magical. When you get something you least expect, it makes you feel on top of the world. In that sense, it really is more than just a dream come true. The fact that the entire team was together for the Oscars made the entire experience extremely fulfilling. Everyone at Kodak Theatre were completely pro-Slumdog... and that made the ambience so positive and encouraging. One of the most memorable moments with the Hollywood stars was when Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie came up and congratulated the kids. Oh! you should’ve seen them; they were on another level altogether.

Are you going to concentrate only on Hollywood or take up projects in Bollywood as well? What kind of roles you intend to do?
My dream is always to be part of meaningful cinema no matter which part of the globe it came from. An interesting opportunity that would catch my fancy is always be welcome.

You’ve just signed Woody Allen’s film, what is your role like in it?
It’s best as if we all wait and watch.

How did the offer come to you?
I am represented by CAA, one of the most powerful agencies in Hollywood. It was through them that I got this role. I met Woody Allen a few days after the Oscars and that’s how it happened

Did you expect so much flak for your alleged relationship with Rohan Antao back in Mumbai?
Not at all! I think everyone is entitled to their privacy and personal space. For years the media has been known to fabricate stories and for me being caught in it is all a learning experience. What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger and I am growing with every experience, good or bad, both professionally and personally.

How was Dev Patel as co-star and what is the kind of relationship you shared?
Dev was a very encouraging co-actor. My character would be incomplete without him and we defintely worked unselfishly like a team. That sums up all 9 of us- the big Slumdog... family.

Of all the children from Slumdog Millionaire, with whom are you most friendly?
It’s almost unfair to ask me that question! Ayush is a little performer and mark my words when I say he’s going to be the biggest hero Bollywood has ever seen! Little Azhar has those intensely-mesmerising eyes and to it was no easy task to pull off that complicated character of Salim. Rubina is a little firecracker and has a heart of gold. She is my little drama queen and reminds me of what I was like in school. I keep teasing Tanay by telling him that I’m going to marry him when he’s older! That boy has an enticing aura about him; he’s well-informed and very ambitious for his age. Ashutosh is like my little brother. He really cracks us up when you least expect it. Tanvi is a true princess, totally unaware of how beautiful and talented she is. Her grace is unbelievably upto the mark. Madhur Mittal is a powerhouse actor. Dev, Madhur and I hung around in trailers during the shoots talking about everything and anything on earth.

You have been the face of many international magazine covers. Which one is your personal favourite?
Every magazine had a different story and its own unique style attached to it. Yes it was a definite privilege to grace the cover of Vogue but I cannot pick a favourite.

You have also been a guest on various talk shows. Which one do you remember vividly?
Jay Leno, Craig Fergusson, Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey were the ones I really enjoyed since I was able to be myself and talk about things that interest me. In addition, these are shows I followed when I was in India as well. I really felt so much energy and enthusiasm on and off the set. It was a great experience.

Which would be your favourite red-carpet gown?
The Oscar De La Renta that I wore for the BAFTA Awards and the navy-blue off shoulder John Galliano that I wore to the Oscars are my personal favourites.

Is there any Indian designer you would want to design for you?
I think so many of them! All their creations are great! I love designs by Cue, Anamika Khanna, Manish Arora, Pankaj and Nidhi, Raghuvendra Rathore and Gaurav Gupta.

After so much global exposure, do you think you have become adept at handling the media now?
Handling the media is an art in itself. (laughs) I still am in the process of learning to work with the media.

Are you planning to shift base to New York?
Mumbai will always be home. But I would love to travel around the world and be part of world cinema as I would then cater to a larger audience base.

Are you endorsing any other international or Indian brands?
None at the moment.