In February 2016, with spring just around the corner, Freida Pinto entered the new season with a floral-printed pastel dress she wore at the 31st Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach.
Freida Pinto embraces spring fashion in a chic Bibhu Mohapatra dress paired with striking Salvatore Ferragamo pumps at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 27, 2016, at Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles (Credit Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The then-31-year-old actress picked a figure-flattering dress from Indian-American fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra’s Resort 2016 collection.
Reflecting on Her Breakthrough Role in Slumdog Millionaire
Eight years earlier, she had her breakthrough with her film debut as Latika in the drama 2008 British drama film Slumdog Millionaire.
Before being cast as the female lead in Danny Boyle’s phenomenally successful film, she had just finished hosting an Indian travel show and was on the verge of quitting the industry.
Freida Pinto captivates as Latika in Slumdog Millionaire, embodying grace and resilience in this iconic role (Credit: Pathé Distribution)
While Slumdog Millionaire catapulted her into the limelight, Freida’s journey was far from smooth. The film’s success was a defining moment, but the path leading up to it was marked by perseverance and a series of rejections that shaped her career.
Freida’s Reflections on Rejection and Success
Freida Pinto shared with Interview Magazine that she is grateful for the rejections she faced early in her career. They taught her resilience and were necessary steps in her journey.
“I’m glad things happened the way they happened. I needed to be rejected, and I needed to learn that it’s part of the game,” she said about being rejected for numerous other roles.
I said, ‘It’s okay. I can have 100 rejections, but I’m sure there’s going to be one particular thing that is almost destined for me to have, and I am going to have it.’ Some of those things I got rejected for, I look back and say, ‘Oh, my god, I’m so happy that happened.’ There would be a lot of things I would have regretted.”
Freida Pinto beams at the Slumdog Millionaire premiere, where her breakout role as Latika marked the start of her Hollywood journey (Credit: Tina Paul / WENN)
Freida started dating her co-star Dev Patel in 2009 and broke up nearly six years later.
In June 2021, the actress announced she was pregnant and expecting her first child with fiancé Cory Tran. They announced their engagement in November 2019 after dating for around two years and married in 2020 at the Honda Center. She gave birth to their son Rumi-Ray in November 2021.
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Filming for Slumdog Millionaire began on November 5, 2007, when Freida Pinto had just turned 23. When the movie was released in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2009, she was 24. On October 18, 2009, the Indian actress turned 25.
At the 31st Film Independent Spirit Awards, Freida Pinto didn’t just rely on her stunning dress to make a statement. Her accessories played a crucial role in elevating her entire ensemble.
Freida Pinto’s Accessories Elevate Her Spring Look
Freida Pinto wears a Bibhu Mohapatra dress on the blue carpet (Credit Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / Apega)
Her dress features a black tube top with an asymmetric floral pattern overlay and a form-fitting pastel blue pencil skirt that fell right at her knees.
Freida amped up the edge of the look by styling it with black accessories, including a clutch from Tod’s with a metallic design, a Dauphin ring, a pair of John Hardy earrings, and a new Audemars Piguet watch that boasts 578 diamonds.
Freida Pinto highlights her bone structure with a chic ponytail (Credit Apega / WENN)
No look is complete without the perfect finishing touches. Freida ensured her spring-ready outfit was complemented by impeccable hair and makeup choices and standout footwear.
Finishing Touches: Hair, Makeup, and Statement Shoes
The “Slumdog Millionaire” star pulled her hair back into a chic ponytail, highlighting her bone structure. She sported taupe metallic eyeshadow, soft pink lipstick, and blush.
Freida Pinto wears a black and blue Bibhu Mohapatra dress to the Film Independent Spirit Awards (Credit Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / Apega)
Freida rounded out her spring look with yellow and black Salvatore Ferragamo “Susi” pumps.
Freida Pinto’s Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Susi’ pumps feature a 3.75-inch heel, giving her a stylish boost in height on the blue carpet (Credit Apega / WENN)
These pointed-toe pumps feature overlapping stripes of lizard-embossed leather and about 3.75-inch heels.
Freida Pinto adds a bold touch to her look with striking yellow-and-black Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Susi’ pumps (Credit Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
These Salvatore Ferragamo pumps are available in different versions at Shopbop, Farfetch, and Nordstrom.
Salvatore Ferragamo “Susi” Pumps, $725