Harry Potter film offers taste of India

Harry Potter film offers taste of S Asia : HindustanTimes.com: "Harry Potter's new film is the latest to join the Hollywood trend of casting actors from South Asia. In the forthcoming film - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - two Asian actresses will get to share the screen space with Harry Potter, currently the heartthrob of millions of children.

The girls - Shefali Chowdhury and Afshan Azad are second-generation Bangladeshis currently based in London. They play the characters of the 'Patil twins' in the film slated for a worldwide release this November. The girls who are making their Hollywood debut with this Harry Potter film follow Indian films too and would "definitely consider" any Bollywood project that comes their way.

"As of now, there are no offers. But if they come, then why not." asks Shefali.

"Though I haven't seen a Bollywood film for quite some time, but I do enjoy them," she continues adding that her favourite Indian actor is Shah Rukh Khan.

Afshan too is an SRK fan though she also admires Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan. In fact she makes it a point to watch every Indian film "that everyone's talking about in London." Her last being No Entry.

However, even as their first Hollywood venture hits the marquee, the girls are unsure if they would continue with acting and remain tightlipped about any future projects in Hollywood, "taking each day as it comes".

While Shefali says she doesn't know if she would take up acting as a profession, "studies" are Afshan's "main" priority and she'd rather not say anything about her career span as an actress.

"I want to concentrate on my studies. The future is undecided. If I get offers, then let us see, may be I would take it up. But as of now, I'm taking each day as it comes," says Afshan. The girls who have not been to this part of the world so frequently, do hope that South Asians like the film and appreciate their effort.

"I hope they are glad to see a Bengali girl in a Hollywood film. I want them to see my talent and see me as an individual," says Afshan, who is the more forthcoming of the two. And glad they will be, chirps Shalini Narayan, a young Harry Potter fan in India.

"I think this time people will come to see the film not just because of the story line but also because they will be curious to see a South Asian face in a Harry Potter film," she says. Shefali and Afshan are keeping their fingers crossed as the year's most keenly-awaited film hits the theatre on November 18 worldwide."