Freida Pinto finds video calls to Dev Patel "hideous".

The pair have been dating since working on 'Slumdog Millionaire' in 2007 but their busy schedules mean they have to spend long periods of time apart, and the actress admits she hates relying on communication software Skype to stay in touch with her boyfriend.

She said: "We use Skype a lot - and we hate it as well.

"It's like a tease. I also feel it's this pressure, 'Oh my God, he's seeing me after two weeks, I hope my hair is OK'.

"It's just hideous, I think even the most beautiful person looks stupid on Skype."

Freida, 26, is planning to buy an apartment in Mumbai, and though Dev wants to be based in London, she is unsure whether to get a second property in the UK or New York.

She added in an interview with Britain's InStyle magazine: "I'm kind of conflicted between London and New York. Dev prefers London any day. He's born and brought up here, he knows people here ... But I love the nomad life - it wouldn't make a difference to me, London or New York.

"I love London a lot, it's one of my favourite cities in the world. But I would love to experience New York as well - and I guess now's the time to do it."