Jacqueline Fernandez has graduated from doing inconsequential films and sizzling item numbers to demonstrating her mettle in Salman Khan’s recent blockbuster Kick . She is excited that she is finally getting noticed for her acting and is now keen to gauge film-goers reaction to her double role in Roy , where she is cast opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The actor, who came calling to the Capital turned up at an event organised by Body Shop to distribute year-long scholarships to ten underprivileged children belonging to a NGO in Gurgaon
Sharing her experience of working with Ranbir , Jacqueline says, “For me as an actor working with Ranbir, who is immensely talented, has been like a growing experience. I get to play two divergent characters in this one. I am playing a director, while the other character is bit of a mystery. The roles are quite demanding and this is the hardest film I’ve done so far. Thankfully, I’ve a great director and great producer.”
While Vikramjit Singh is the writer and director of this romantic thriller, Bhushan Kumar is producing this venture, which also stars Arjun Rampal.
Having worked with actors almost double her age, working with Ranbir must have been a new experience for her.
“It has not been a different experience just because Ranbir and I are of the same age group. A lot of actors connect irrespective of age, language and gender. Eventually, we all share passion for cinema. We are all actors and acting is all about relating to people. As part of our job we need to have strong observation skills. Since a teenager I have been observing people and interacting with them.”
It may sound cliché but Kick , which film pundits have described as the highest grosser, has given a boost to her career.
Laughingly, the actor says, “The film has given a kick to my career. The greatest experience in Bollywood has been to work with Salman Khan, who is such a wonderful human being. A lot of people have misconception about Salman; they feel he has an attitude problem but the fact is that he doesn’t dictate things on the sets. He doesn’t force his views on others. He is there when you want him to be.”
Divulging her Indian connection, the actor said one of her ancestors hailed from the coastal State of Goa. “I have an Indian connection as my great grandfather was from Goa. I guess my Indian roots are known to almost everyone who watches my film.”
Apart from studying mass communications in Australia, the fact that Jacqueline has lived in different places like Bahrain has given her exposure to divergent cultures and traditions.
“Definitely, my communication skills improved while doing the journalism course. Living in different places teaches you a lot. While living in West Asia I did some interesting television shows. Those shows gave me the confidence to face the camera and helped me overcome my inhibitions.”
As brand ambassador of Body Shop, the actor, who gave scholarships to marginalised children, felt honoured to be a part of such a noble cause and help these “wonderful children with a chance of getting education.”
