It's rather strange but people are still confused in an argument whether to tag Slumdog Millionaire as a Bollywood film or a Hollywood film.
A film is a film. We do not necessarily have to give names to it. I have not set any boundaries for any kind of cinema. A good film is a good film. If it doesn't work, it's a bad film. In terms of style and telling the story we are on a global platform. I don't feel like being in an alien land called Mumbai.

Whatever we go through here is the same as compared to the films made in the West, except the physicalities and our dance moves. I would term Slumdog Millionaire as a world cinema because then it means that the film speaks a universal language which is globally accepted.

Every time a film comes nearer to its release or post release, some elements from our society love to oppose the film, like remove the word 'dog' from Slumdog Millionaire. Weird isn't it?
I'm sure you know that limelight is a great light. Now this goes to all those who think that the word 'dog' should be wiped out from Slumdog. They still see 'dog' as a derogatory term?

Then they should be sued because a dog is an animal and it's a man's best friend. What people forget is that Slumdog is a term. So is a word like 'underdog' an abuse, and all the journalists being called 'watchdogs' should oppose too.

If Danny called you right away to attend the Oscars, would you go?
Of course I would. Frankly speaking, a film unit comprises of two hundred people. Now I'm sure that they can't travel everywhere.

So those who are attending all the red carpets worldwide are also not taking away the credit from others who were involved in the Slumdog Millionaire making process. I mean, imagine the spot boy who used to serve us tea not being there on the sets. We all would've collapsed without our 'cuppa'.

Every individual who has contributed towards the film will be present because their heart and soul will be walking the red carpet at the Oscars.

How special is Slumdog to you?
Slumdog Millionaire is very much special to me. Not because of anything else but because it has been accepted the world over. Why do we all work?

To get accepted in our individual professions so that our work has a wider reach. This kind of fame takes you in a wider spectrum of the audiences. Slumdog is also special because Resul Pookutty, a BAFTA winner and an Oscar nominee is also working for me under budget (laughs).

Whatever you do, if you like it at that point in time, you should go for it. That's it, because after it's done you will never ever re-create the magic of that particular moment when you were working.

I am sure we can only think how Danny had worked hard to give that perfect shot or while he was directing me how to make a facial expression during that shot. But as I said, we can only think. We will not get to create that moment, and every moment in all my films is special.

There have been stories saying that it has taken two British men, Sir Richard Attenborough and Danny Boyle to show the real India and its sentiments.
It has also taken an Indian (Shekhar Kapoor) to go to England and make Elizabeth, not only one but two parts. So what is the media on about anyway? The artist community is the only community in the world which is free from colour and boundaries and I'd request one and all - Please let them be free.

If you were to go to the BAFTA's or the Oscars, which Hollywood celebrity would you have met and chatted with?
I am sure I wouldn't have discussed cinema with them during award nights like the BAFTAs or the Oscars. Imagine me going to Brad Pitt and telling him, "Hey Brad, let's discuss cinema" and him walking away from me (laughs).

There are so many I would've loved to meet but Clint Eastwood tops my list. He is such a fabulous director. I just heard the plot of his latest film Gran Torino and it took me by surprise. What an amazing story he has got to direct.

It's always great to meet people who have done great work. What's most important is that you get inspired by their work when you meet such greats from the film industry.

Do you think that A.R. Rahman was long due for this kind of international recognition with a Golden Globe and a BAFTA?
Yes, I believe. When you mention the word 'long due', you are talking about a person and his work by saying, "It should get there". We have been talking about Rahman and his work since a couple of years now because we failed to understand why his work wasn't rewarded yet. But better late than never, I believe.

You were one of the lucky few who got to share screen space with Dev Patel. How was this young budding talent from Harrow in London?
Dev is a very sweet child. He is absolutely innocent. You see, in any art, when are you at your best - when you don't know it all. If you know it all, then it's not true.

The great thing about Dev is that he was completely lost in the film. He was trying to reach and grab his creativity which is a great quality. He is very vulnerable and good looking too. Not to forget, he got a great director like Danny Boyle to direct him.

I remember, whenever he used to meet me, he used to greet me with his overjoyed voice - "Hey Saurabh", and in spite of being a feet taller than me, he would then try and hug me.

Do you think Vikas Swarup is the forgotten hero of this worldwide success?
Not at all. Vikas is the mother of this film. That's how this film started because he wrote the book called 'Q & A' from which the film was adapted.

Before I met Vikas in Mumbai, I thought that I'd be meeting some swanky young man who has lived abroad, but he was absolutely an Indian. He came across as a very down to earth and a soft person. I don't think that even for a second anyone would've forgotten Vikas.

What is the best comment you've received till date for your role in Slumdog Millionaire?
There is one I'd like to share which is very interestingly put by someone. I will not take names though. He said, "You were so good in the film that we felt very bad about your character" (laughs).