He's the most talked about NRI, who carries on a promiscuous relationship with much older Indian-American teacher - Dimple Kapadia in Somnath Sen's English film Leela.

Los Angeles based actor Amol Mhatre, talks about his passion, experiences and connects to his roots... in an exclusive interview with Sonal Mehrotra Kanchan.
Interview Excerpts: What are your Indian roots to which you connect, even while staying in the US ... I was born and brought up in US, near Boston in Massachusetts, whereas my parents are from Mumbai. My mom is a physician and dad a computer engineer; they are staying in Boston along with my grandmother, whereas I shifted to Los Angeles seeking better opportunities in theatre and acting. Rest of my family lives in Mumbai. I have been to India eleven times and have cousins living there and whenever I visit them, we spend a good time chatting, playing cricket etc. I have extensively traveled the country and my favorite places are Goa and Kovalum Beach.
What are the things that you miss most about India when in US and vice versa ... I miss my family, when I'm in US. The warmth and generosity that one gets in India is hard to find anywhere else. While I'm in India, I miss privacy, my friends and clean air.
When and how did your love for the camera began... I've been acting since very young, started with doing theater in school at 5, and continued acting all though university. I've studied theater at Brown University, from where I also secured a B.A. in Political Science. About one and half years ago, I associate produced a play in Hollywood with a friend of mine, and have been doing theater production since long.
How was the experience working in Leela... Leela is my first feature film. I got the opportunity to work with such seasoned Bollywood actors, who were very professional. They came to the sets ready to start the work and having done all the necessary preparation. Just by watching them perform, I learned the technical aspects of film acting, as it is much different from theater acting. Even to watch filmmaking from behind the camera on the sets was a learning experience. Film's writer-director Somnath Sen and producers Anjilika Mathur and Kavita Munjal were brilliant and are my good friends now.
What's the message that the film is trying to convey, and do you believe in it... Complex question. I guess the message conveyed by the film is - to be true to yourself and go for what you believe, and I strongly believe in doing that.
Did you come to India for the promotions of Leela ... Yes, I was in India for Leela's promotions in October 2002.
What do you do for a living and what are you qualified to do? I am trying to make acting my profession, but alternatively, and to play my bills I am also employed with a non-profit AIDS charity organization.
What did you know about Hindi cinema before you were signed on for this film... I didn't know much about Bollywood when I was signed on for this film, but was certainly aware that I would be working with mega-stars!
How did you bag the role?