What kind of film is Fireflies?
A lyrical mood piece. A story on love, loss and redemption, Fireflies is set in the Ooty of the 1980s and centres around two brothers after a tragic incident that colours their relationship ever after.
What prompted your return?
A director with a strong vision, a well-written script, a great technical team, attractive co-stars and good catering!
Your nude scene in The Americans is much talked about.
Signing a 'nudity and simulated sex consent agreement' was terrifying but I said to myself, "One of your favourite TV shows wants to fly you to New York to play the title role, roll around in bed with a beautiful woman AND pay you! You should be rejoicing, not panicking!"
Some say you are a snob?
I've always been an introvert. People mistake it for being snobbish.
Any plans on joining Bollywood full-time?
People assume I shy away from the Bollywood format but I love movies, so the genre or geographical origins of a film don't matter.
You've worked across countries, languages, people. How do you make the switch?
Western productions are professional; in India, the setting is based on personal relations. Yet, it boils down to, 'Roll sound! Camera! Action!'
Does a famous family name carry a baggage?
It sometimes opens doors but expectations are often unrealistically high.
You are a foodie. Your favourite food?
There's really no food I don't like! Though I prefer home-cooked meals.
The quirkiest thing you own?
A tarnished silver brocade achkan made in pre-independence Lahore. I wore it for a scene in Earth and director Deepa Mehta later gifted it to me.
If not an actor, what?
An international art thief!
