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 At least one child prodigy has been spared the trauma of underage overexposure. Tanay Cheda who plays the protagonist Jamal’s childhood avatar in
Slumdog Millionaire has had his share of fame and recognition, at
least for now. He wants to concentrate on his studies and
focus on just that one film.
“And that’s Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan. I play the childhood
portions of Shah Rukh Khan’s role. It’s a small role and a very
important film. And it will be shot during my holidays. Except My
Name Is Khan my parents have decided to let me concentrate on my
studies.”
Tanay is shifting from his current school Campion in Colaba to
the Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Bandra and is geared for
a new life in a new school.
He completely dismisses stories of replacing Darsheel Safary in
Anil Monga’s film Padduram. “I don’t know where that came from. I
haven’t said yes to any such film.” Protests Tanay.
Tanay who played Darsheel Safari’s best friend in Taare Zameen Par
got the role of the younger Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire by chance.
“I couldn’t go to the auditions. But eight months later they
came to my school for auditions. Luckily by chance I got the role.
They had to work a lot on my physical appearance to make me
look compatible with Ayush who played the youngest Jamal . They
straightened my curly hair, etc. Also they had to darken all of us
three who played Jamal(Ayush, Tanay and Dev Patel) to look like we
were constantly exposed to the sun. My makeup used to take 90
minutes every day.”
And he will now be playing the role of the junior Shah Rukh Khan
in Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, a decision Karan took after
watching Slumdog Millionaire(SM),” says the 12-year son of a
business family whose life has transformed almost overnight.
“My family and friends are very proud of me. It feels really good. For my friends I’m still the same Tanay.”
“I’m a movie freak . When I walked the red carpet I could recognize everyone who walked by,” says
He has to sit his elocution exams at Trinity College at London.
“But coping with the studies is no problem. All my teachers have
been very co-operative. Half of Slumdog was shot during my vacations.”
Surprisingly Tanay says acting is a hobby. “Right now I just want
to enjoy my childhood. I’m passionate about football. And I love to
write. I’ve lots of stories to tell. As far as movies are concerned
my next release is Mastang Mama where Ruslaan Mumtaz and I play
mama-bhanja. I know another Slumdog may not happen. But like my
dialogue in film goes, it’s all about destiny.”
Tanay misses the Slumdog team. “But we keep meeting for pemieres and
awards function. And we all keep in touch through the email. We were
all one big family.”
Sampurn Media
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