“It is a tough life out here in Bollywood. Unpredictable. Every other person is out to achieve the same thing as you are,” says model-actress Jacqueline Fernandez, weeks before the release of her big Salman Khan movie Kick (July 25). “It’s never too easy in any profession though, and all you need is a little sanity to take you through,” says the girl, with a maturity that’s surprising. “I have an-hour-a-day rule. I set aside an hour every day, come what may, for myself. I spend it either going for a jog, doing yoga, reading, meditating or sometimes simply doing nothing. It’s just me time. It’s a luxury, yes, but it’s not impossible,” says the actress.
Connecting with her inner self is possibly what helps her keep that pretty head on her shoulders. She has a roster many would envy, at least in the box office world. Beginning with Aladin in 2009, she has been part of several hits such as Housefull 2, Murder 2 and Race 2 . So when Kick came her way, she was on cloud nine. “Thank god I was sitting when the offer was made, else I would have done some dramebaazi like fainting or gasping! But I was certainly walking around with a silly grin on my face for the next few weeks at least. More than the realisation that I had been selected for a big film like this, it was a big deal for me that they (producer-director Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman) believed in me. Salman’s taking a big risk with me.”
A remake of the 2009 Telugu hit Kick starring Ravi Teja, the film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui along with Salman and Jacqueline, with an item number by Nargis Fakhri thrown in for good measure. “I play a simple, serious (at least when compared to the total mad character that Salman plays) college-going girl named Shaina,” says Jacqueline. Asked about working with Salman, who has launched many a leading lady’s career, she says, “That man has a warm energy about him. Each of us loves spending time with him. He genuinely likes us. He’s someone who you could say is a friend because he will stand up for you and fight for you. He is someone who will feed you and make you work out as well,” she says.
Asked if she would have liked to do that crucial item number that has gone to Nargis, she says, “That song comes at an important juncture in the film. I couldn’t have been part of it even if I wished to, because my character is somewhere else. Moreover, Nargis has done a fabulous job. She is an up-and-coming actress and needs to be encouraged. I too had only item numbers to do in some of my previous films and was encouraged by my team then. I am just reciprocating it.”
Coming up next, Jacqueline has the very interesting Roy opposite Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor. She plays a double role in the film directed by Vikramjit Singh. “But the characters are not related to each other, which makes the film even more challenging.” One of the two looks is reportedly styled on filmmaker Kiran Rao. She is also appearing in a cameo in Karan Anshuman’s Bangistan , starring Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat.
And then the trick question. What about alleged ex-boyfriend Sajid Khan? Jacqueline is visibly uncomfortable. Would she do another film with him? “Yes.” So it means they are still friends despite what the media says? “Yes. Friends. We are friendly.” Taking your word, Jacqueline.
