‘I don’t think like an Indian actor’

After the Slumdog Millionaire fever died down, you’ve gone completely missing. What’s up?
Hey, the fever is not gone and shall stay for life. I am shooting a film by M Night Shyamalan called The Last Airbender. I am playing the lead character of Zuko and it’s a film to watch out for. The release is in July 2010. As for being in India, I am a Britisher and my parents were in Kenya, so though my lineage is from India, I never stayed there. But my heart beats for India.

Any chances of coming back and working in a Bollywood film?
I don’t think or behave like an Indian actor, nor have that body language. I am not seeing a near chance of a Bollywood movie — but I would like to act with Aamir Khan.

Do you think that Slumdog… has typecast you as an actor?
Not at all. We had auditions everywhere even in India, for Jamal’s character. Danny saw me in Skins (a TV series) before auditioning and deciding.

Do you think the success of the film made you a star too soon and you might miss out on college and a normal life?
I move as a normal human and try to keep my studies on pace as I am studying theatre and performing arts. This also gives me leverage to do more.

Any particular Hindi film you watched lately?
Yes, I watched Wanted and liked Salman Khan. He has the most dramatic performance.

We hear you are a black belt in karate and won a bronze at the AIMAA world karate championships.
Sports should be a priority for each and every youngster. Acting needs total discipline that has come from sports. My yoga guru, Swan Yoga’s Dr Vikramaditya Narayan, is from India. He guides the discipline in me…