‘I’m still getting used to all the attention’

Her hugely successful film Kick last year paved the way for many more promising projects for Jacqueline Fernandez. Now the Sri Lankan beauty is looking forward to the release of Brothers and Bangistan. And she even has two international projects lined up for release — Definition of Fear and According To Matthew. Her film Definition of Fear required her to perform several high-risk stunts. We ask her if in real life she has been part of some great adventure and she says, “One thing I can think of is touring the Amazon forests at night. We spotted snakes, crocodiles, dangerous reptiles and all kinds of creatures.”

Even though her calendar is choc-a-bloc with professional commitments, Jackie always ensures there is time for family and friends who are in Sri Lanka. “I’m always travelling. So time for friends and family is something my team has to fit in my schedule. It’s important. Otherwise your work will consume you. I am not someone who defines myself as an actress. I would rather be a real person. Acting is work but I want to make time for things I enjoy.”

Having spent a few years in the film industry here, Jacqueline says she has made a few friends. “I came to this industry with nothing, but I have been lucky to have found so many people who have helped me right from the days of my first film Aladdin. Sujoy (Ghosh) showed faith in me and cast me when no one else was sure about me. Now there are people like Sonam Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra who I can call my friends. We are yet to work on a film together but they are always so encouraging. And I’d really love to work with them in the future. Salman and Sajid Nadiadwala gave me such an amazing break and I know they will always support me, the Bhatts have always been there, you need that kind of support in a new country.”

Adjusting to different cultures isn’t something Jackie is new to and she believes it makes her a tolerant person. “Just being exposed to different cultures is an amazing thing. I am blessed to have been exposed to three cultures — my dad is Sri Lankan, mom Malaysian and I grew up in Bahrain. This has made me a much more tolerant person. I don’t get frazzled easily and I have learnt to adjust.”

Among her several projects, she also has a Sri Lankan film lined up and she hopes it puts her on the international radar like some of her Bollywood contemporaries. “Even though the film is in English, I am glad I could do something back home. I hope it makes a good impact internationally, it has that potential. It’s a true story, something that we want the world to know. My other Hollywood film is also something that I have great hopes from.”

Closer home, there was some controversy regarding her being dropped from a special song in Salman Khan’s production Hero. When probed about it, Jackie says, “See, people know what will work best for a film. You can’t whine and crib. I have no complaints really.”

Her family back home doesn’t usually accompany her to film events, but the actress says they are the ones who keep her feet firmly on the ground. She says, “My family is pretty up to date with everything I do, they are the most honest and gentle people in my life. They are very innocent as well, not sure of how things work in the movies, which is why I need to be with them, no matter how busy I am, it’s very comforting to be in the real world with real people.”

Something that irks the actress to quite an extent is how actors are judged for their actions. Says the actress, “Everyone is human and it’s fine to make mistakes. It’s easy to judge, but most people forget that they’re not perfect themselves. So people being judgmental about other people’s work or life is something that annoys me at times. But then you learn to deal with all kinds of people in the glamour industry.”
Even though she is a much sought after actress today who has been part of some big hits, Jackie is yet to get into the groove of star. She says that confidence was not always her strong suit. “I would be so nervous about attending screenings. I would joke with my team that I don’t want to attend them. But they would insist on me being present. I’m still getting used to all the attention and I am realising it’s a blessing to be loved by people the world over.”