10 Questions for Daniel Radcliffe

How different are you from Harry? — Atra Oshana, Des Plaines, Ill.
I think I am probably quite different from Harry. [But] I think we're both quite reserved in terms of how much we show our feelings. Neither of us particularly wears our heart on our sleeve. The value of friendship in both our lives is immense. And I also think we have a shared curiosity.

What do you think has been Harry's greatest misstep or failure in judgment? — Susan Bevins, Winter Park, Fla.
Susan Bevins, you have asked a question no journalist has ever asked me. I think the way he treated his friends a couple of films ago was quite questionable. They're always there for him, and he was a little bit ungrateful. I think Harry is a flawed character. He can be quite selfish and really manipulative. He's not all sweetness and light.

The Harry Potter films have given you a chance to work with an extraordinary number of British acting royalty. Which ones have had the greatest effect on you? — Frank Hibrant, Cincinnati, Ohio
The two that have had the biggest effect on me would be Gary Oldman, who I became very close to, and Imelda Staunton. They're both wonderful people and wonderful actors.

Both Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallowsare quite different from previous installments. How have you prepared yourself for the plot's darker, deeper scenes? — Josh Hertzel, Omaha, Neb.
To be honest, that's the kind of stuff I like doing and gravitate toward naturally. It probably comes easier to me than the comedy. On those days, I generally try to be as isolated as possible and listen to lots of music that will hopefully kind of depress me or get me into a less exuberant state.

If you could use any of the magical spells fromHarry Potter, which would you choose? — Sohini Desai, San Diego
It's not a spell, but if I could choose any magical thing, it would definitely be the lucky potion. If you have too much, apparently, it screws you up, but the idea of having that perfect day is just so wonderful.

Are you a Harry Potter fan? — Rochely Candaten Droves, Porto Alegre, Brazil
I am a fan of the books, certainly. In terms of the films, I enjoy watching everyone but myself very, very much. I don't like watching myself. I don't think many actors do. But, yeah, I am a fan. If I weren't, I would've stopped ages ago.

What do you think about the way J.K. Rowling formed the plots of the books? — Frances Taylor, Sarnia, Ont.
Obviously, it's inspired. Otherwise, they wouldn't have done nearly as well as they have. They have taken the best bits of different kinds of literature. It's the latest in a long line of orphan literature. There's the English boarding school. There's the good-vs.-evil thing. The fact that she came up with the entire thing on one train journey is pretty remarkable.

How would you advise someone to prepare for the role of Alan inEquus? — José Pérez, Barcelona
Study the script, develop an incredibly trusting relationship with your director and just lose your inhibitions. No one's thinking about the nudity. You'd be mad if you're not worried about that — it's quite a scary thing — but you're doing a job.

Do you plan to go to college? — Lindsay Carpenter, Milwaukee
No, I don't. I am continuing my education. I have two weekly tutorials with a friend of mine who is also an English teacher. He comes on set and we talk through plays and books and poems. It's a privilege.

Would you ever commit to the lead role in a movie series again? —Danielle Higson, St. John's, Nfld.
It would be very hard to do that in a hurry. I think it would be a while, at least, before I did that. It would have to be very good.

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srk after detained at a US airport

Cheap publicity for his movie’ 
Looks like Mr Khan is trying to get some cheap publicity for his upcoming movie (My Name Is Khan). He has to understand that his VIP status does not give him a free pass to bypass security screening. He has to be a role model for others instead of being a crybaby. Learn from president Kalam, be humble and accept the hard truths of today’s world. 
John Major 

The government should get involved every time any Indian citizen goes through this 
I agree that this is much ado about nothing. And, in fact, if there is something to be upset about – and something that justifies the Indian government getting involved and ‘taking up the issue with the US’ – I think this should be done every time ANY Indian citizen goes through this kind of security check.Maybe he’s a great performer in his own field, but there are great doctors, great construction workers, great sweepers. So what? Procedures are the same for everyone. 
Hemant 

‘US immigration officers are ignorant, badly trained and arrogant’ 
I have lived in the US for 25 years as a green card holder and a citizen, and have suffered similar indignities – and I don’t have a Muslim name. The immigration officers are ignorant, badly trained, and arrogant. These are the same people who stamped the passports of terrorists without asking a single question and now they derive pleasure from insulting visitors who have nothing to do with terrorism. The US needs to start retraining these folks, giving them sensitivity and intercultural training. As an American citizen, I’m outraged at the behaviour of these people. They undo the goodwill that Obama is trying to generate for the US. 
Sandy Duval 

‘Who asked us not to frisk Bill Clinton?’ 
Why should we be upset that US officials were doing their job? It’s absurd to argue that ‘our police doesn’t frisk whites, so why should we be frisked’. Is it their fault that our policemen don’t do their job properly? You’re right, who asked us not to frisk Bill Clinton? We need to get rid of this VIP culture. 
Vivek 

‘SRK, when it happens to you... kuch kuch hota hai na?’ 
SRK, I understand, was referred to a secondary check, not uncommon at entry points in the US, and not detained. The officer was only doing his job and meant no disrespect to a visitor who perhaps is worshiped by millions in India but largely unknown in the USA... Secondly, a class called ‘VIPs’ that considers itself to be above the law of the land, does not exist in USA. It is only in India that even the son-in-law of a former PM is a VIP and therefore exempt from frisking and security checks... If someone like the Williams sisters or Tiger Woods tries to enter the Mumbai airport, a cop on duty will certainly stop them and their home country will not make an issue of it. I’ve been living in the US for long and never faced any discrimination but have seen everyone respecting the law ... It’s time we start treating everyone equal by abolishing the VIP category at our airports and not blaming other countries that have ‘no nonsense’ security procedures. And, SRK, when it happens to you, kuch kuch hota hai, na? 
Kishore Karnad 
‘ 
Maybe many more Muslims are subjected to this – and SRK’s case brought it to the fore’ 
Hmm ... you have a point there. But there is a lack of one too. I wouldn’t care if SRK was subjected to a primary inspection alone. But if you have travelled to the US any time, you would know that a secondary inspection is pretty rare ... To me, it was clearly stupid religious profiling. Maybe a lot more innocent Muslim 
friends are subject to this. SRK’s case just brought it to the fore. 

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