Spotted Frieda Pinto at Opening Night of Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi : Photos

Slumdog Millionaire sensation Freida Pinto was a picture of poise in her sweeping black Marc Jacobs gown on Thursday. Looking incredibly grown-up, the actress who has been filmed by the likes of Woody Allen, was playing up to the press galleries with panache. She even held her own against Hollywood veterans Hilary Swank and the age-defying Demi Moore.

Later, tabloid! caught her with her guard down at the lobby of the palatial Emirates Palace Hotel. Swapping her oh-so-proper designer gown for a stylish high-street fashion label, Pinto in her maroon-check shirt and frayed jeans looked every inch like a regular 20-something. "Oh yes, I met you last night" — was her reaction to my knee-jerk turnaround. Though she revealed that she was not supposed to hold any interviews without her publicist around, she was more than happy to chat. It was endearing to see her use air quotes when she said "chat".

Describing her instant stardom as a "dream come true", the actress said she was not a great fan of interviews. "Quite frankly, I prefer if my work speaks for itself," said Pinto. Almost as an afterthought, "I am playing the title role in Miral." Miral is Julian Schnabel's next venture, set in occupied Jerusalem. The former model, who was a star attraction at the Burberry fashion show in London recently, is far more forthcoming about her fashion and style quotient. She says sitting in the front rows in a show has been an incredibly invigorating experience.