'Slumdog Millionaire is out of my life.' Anil Kapoor on how he's moved on to adopting a British accent for an American TV thriller 24

Anil Kapoor's role in the American TV series 24 is fetching him some of the best reviews of his career. The Los Angeles Times gave him a big thumbs up ("New blood is what keeps this show in motion, the most promising this season is Anil Kapoor"), while Entertainment Weekly called him "the wonderful Anil Kapoor".

A lot has changed in Anil's life. 'Tu samajh raha hai, na?' has been replaced by 'You get my point?' but Anil is still the consumed-by-his-work actor I have known since the Rachna days.

Anil sips black coffee in his Juhu bungalow and I gulp down fresh lime with soda (I would have preferred it sweet, not salty but don't want to break the flow of conversation) while I tune into his musings about his latest high, 24.

Would you say Slumdog Millionaire changed your life?

To be honest, Slumdog Millionaire is out of my life. It is better that I don't think or talk about it. In life, I like to be constantly on the move. Slumdog has become a huge phenomenon and left a major impact. But it has been tough for me to let go of it because people keep talking about it.

I have a specific reason for talking about Slumdog. I want to know if you think you would have landed the TV serial 24, if you hadn't been seen and appreciated in Slumdog.

No way. I got a head-start because of the exposure, success and critical acclaim that accompanied Slumdog. I can't deny that there are better and greater actors all over the world. But nothing succeeds like success.