Hollywood is racist: 'Slumdog' star Dev

"Slumdog Millionaire" star Dev Patel has hit out over racism in Hollywood.

“Asian actors tend not to be sent Hollywood scripts that are substantial or challenging. I'm likely to be offered the roles of a terrorist, cab driver and smart geek... I want to show that I have versatility. You have to remember that, before Slumdog, the last film about India that went big at the Oscars was Gandhi, as played by Ben Kingsley. The fact that me and [co-star] Freida [Pate] have any kind of platform in Hollywood is a big step forward,” the British daily The Telegraph quoted him as saying.

The actor says Hollywood is institutionally racist and claims Asian actors are limited to roles as terrorists, taxi drivers or geeks.

It was expected that his career would hit the stratosphere after “Slumdog” won Best Picture at the Oscars, but he is actually currently jobless.“Because "Slumdog" was such a big hit there was a lot of pressure in terms of what I did next. For my second film I wanted a role that would stretch me, but all I was getting offered were stereotypical parts like the goofy Indian sidekick," he said.

Patel said he was hoping to overcome prejudice. "I'm buzzing with adrenaline and raring to go, but I have to be realistic. Being an Asian actor, it's never going to be easy. Hopefully the industry is changing and the casting directors will be less focused on colour so that people like myself can get through the door."

Unfortunately, the film Patel chose for his second role has been mired in accusations of racism. “The Last Airbender” is based on a children's television cartoon in which the main characters are Asian. The £100 million Hollywood adaptation has white actors playing the roles and the Asian actors – including Patel – are limited to playing baddies.

When the film premiered in the US last month, protesters demonstrated outside the cinema in Los Angeles.
 

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