Slumdog Kid To Play Shah Rukh Khans Childhood In Karan Johars filmBefore Quitting For A While

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