For Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez, moving to India to have a career in Bollywood was a challenge.
The 30-year-old actress, who made her debut with Aladin opposite Riteish Deshmukh and Amitabh Bachchan, said the Hindi film industry has always been supportive of her.
“Moving to India was challenging being a foreigner. I don’t have any family here. I didn’t have anyone to guide me. But I never felt for a second that I am not welcome here. The industry has been very good to me. I am glad that destiny brought me here,” she said.
The Kick actress came to India for the first time on a modelling assignment and she got the offer to star in the Sujoy Ghosh-directed 2009 fantasy drama.
Fernandez credited the modelling industry with helping her understand Bollywood better.
“[The] modelling industry was a good training ground. It is a medium that is about shedding your inhibitions, knowing your body, confidence and that are also the few characteristics which an actor requires. It definitely was a good starting point and a platform,” she said.
Fernandez plays a mother in her latest film, Brothers.
“Brothers is first of its kind. I am taking on a different role compared to the parts I played before in my career. I am taking on the role of a mother, who is going through a certain crisis of her own. This is a very big turning point for me in terms of my role.”
Asked if she had any inhibitions about playing a mother at such an early stage of her career, Jacqueline said, “I didn’t have any apprehension about playing the role of a mother. I don’t know why actresses have apprehension to play a mother especially when we have mothers of all ages in our world and society.”
Speaking of her actress friends in the industry, she said insecurity is the reason some stars cannot be friends with each other.
“If you are insecure then you can’t be friends with anyone. I love Sonam [Kapoor] so much is because she is not insecure and not even I am. She is confident and she is an intelligent girl who has achieved so much in her life till now. I get along well with her,” she told PTI.
“I will never venture into clothing line that is Sonam’s department and not mine,” she added.
Next up for the star, who owns restaurant in Sri Lanka, is a plan to open one in India.
“I have a restaurant in Sri Lanka and I feel keen to open up something here in Mumbai and bring Sri Lankan food here in India. I feel we have so much in common but we have a different cuisine and I am sure people will enjoy here.
“I am passionate about spreading awareness about Sri Lankan food. I know whoever visits my restaurant they have loved the food. I will be able to do something in the future.”
(The National)
