Sometime very, very soon (later today?), all this Slumdog Millionaire excitement will finally abate. But let's wring the last few trickles of hype out of the Little Movie That Could, while we can. In light of all that talk of post-Oscar floppery, it looks like Freida Pinto (who may or may not be dating her former co-star) has found a way to beat the bad karma that an Oscar win seems to foretell for all its champs. She's going to follow in Scarlett Johansson's footsteps as Woody Allen's new muse.

If you're Mira Sorvino and you're trying to figure out the math of Pinto's success, consider this: Small-budget flick with epic premise that resonates with moviegoers + charming supporting role + exotic foreign setting + modeling experience + excellent soundtrack + solid direction by a reputable auteur. Then take heart in the fact that while all of these components won't necessarily give you incredible bargaining power like actually being nominated for one of the awards (again), they'll make you sparkle in the eyes of vanguards like Woody Allen.

Frankly, Allen probably wearies of the extracurriculars of his more expensive muses. The lovably lecherous director's latest passion project seems like a fast-track to stardom for the young thesp. Pinto stars alongside other award-bait like fortunate Oscar non-winners Josh Brolin and Naomi Watts, and actual Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. Sure, a Woody Allen feature these days is thin on both substance and box-office mojo, but it probably won't hurt the luck of a breakout starlet either. And while the stoniest of us is no doubt thrilled for Pinto's sudden success (or at least her recent turn as a Vanity Fair pin-up girl), fingers are crossed that playing muse for Woody doesn't make her forget her roots as a modest Mumbaiker.