Former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandes tells DNA about her co-stars, making a debut in the Hindi film industry and facing competition.
Jacqueline FernandesYou have worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt in Aladin. Tell us about the experience.
Working with Amit-ji was an eye-opener. You learn from him that at any point you don't fool around or act smart. You have to deliver your best always. It is great to see Sanjay so serious about his part. In fact both are so prepared before the camera rolls that it is a treat to watch them act.
We hear that you hardly have time for yourself since you are busy preparing for your debut.
I have a very long day everyday. From Barry John's acting school to Vinod Taurani's diction and dialogue classes, to kickboxing and working out with Deanne Pandey and Hindi and dance lessons, I do not really have time for myself. But I have no complaints. I have to be prepared.
You have been a former beauty queen. Are you happy to debut with a college-girl look?
Sujoy Ghosh wanted to cast me in a simple look. I also don't want to doll up just for the sake of it. I want to be true to my character. As an actor one needs to be prepared to experiment. We cannot be selfish and get stuck to something which is tested. That's not good for an actor.
But did you want to play a character straight from a fairy tale book?
I love Jasmine from Aladdin. In fact she is so like me. Sujoy saw Jasmine in me and my personality. I grew up watching Aladdin and I love the story. It is so great that I get to play something I have loved as a child.
There are many newcomers in the industry. Who do you think is your competition?
I think I'm my own competition. Everyone has something different about themselves which are their assets. I'm not jealous of anyone. I have something which they don't have and I'm working hard to make myself better everyday. I will continue to do that and hope everything falls in place.
A couple of words for Riteish Deshmukh. We hear people saying that you guys are bonding big time?
He is a great co-star and has had a good laugh at my expense. He is a prankster and can pull off anything with a straight face. He has certainly taken advantage of me.
