Big league means big controversies: Jacqueline says people target those in limelight
Jacqueline Fernandez is excited to be back to Hyderabad, where she was stranded just a month ago, when her flight was diverted to the city due to the torrential downpour in Mumbai. But this time around, she is here to walk the ramp for designers Falguni and Shane Peacock.
After her recent string of films with Bollywood biggies, Jacqueline has sure climbed the ladder of success. Talking about how life has changed after entering the big league, the 32-year-old says, “It is more challenging. With success, there’s more resp-onsibility and pressure. I remember there was a time when I wasn’t that famous, when I was just getting by, there was not much pressure from fans, producers or directors. But now, there is more responsibility; that is daunting. Also, what probably has changed after I entered the big league is the cautiousness. When you are in the limelight, there is a need to be cautious all the time. We really have to watch our backs.”
The Kick actress adds that she also has to constantly be wary of what she says in public. “Things are fabricated. Since you are in the limelight, people target you. As much as there is a positive side to being famous, there is a dark side too. You are continuously in people’s eyes. A lot of negativity comes your way without you expecting or asking for it. Big league means big controversies,” she adds.
It then comes as no surprise that Jacqu-eline chooses to remain mum about the Harvey Weinsteins of Bolly-wood — something that Priyanka Chopra had come forward to talk about. “I wouldn’t like to comment on it as I haven’t come across anything like that. Also, this is not the right platform,” she says.
From Aladin to the latest Judwaa 2, she has spent nearly eight years in the industry. Talking about her learnings and experiences on the way, she shares, “I think the lesson is to really believe in yourself and be confident about your skills. One important thing is to always have a great time doing what you do. You spend three quarters of your life working and if it is not bringing you any pleasure, then there’s no use doing it. I try to enjoy every second of my career and if I am not, then I am doing it wrong. I try to change the space that I am in right then!”
Despite doing so many movies, Jacqueline feels she hasn’t tapped her full potential yet. “A filmmaker can only take you to a certain level, after which you have to take yourself further. It is a gradual process and I am pleased with the way it is going. I am on the path to take it further now. At the same time, I am happy with the commercial cinema I do. I know people would argue about this but there is so much room for an actress to grow even in commercial cinema,” she explains.
On days when she wants to take a break from reel life, Jacqueline rests at home, spends time with her cat and cooks with friends. “I do things that are therapeutic. Like cooking and having a meal with friends. It brings you to normalcy, which I find is very important. Currently, I am learning how to play the piano,” she says.
She goes on to tell us what a typical day in her busy life looks like. “Every day is different — either you are shooting, or attending an event, or travelling, or promoting, or you have a day full of meetings. I wake up in the morning, feed my cat, meditate and exercise. I meditate every day because it taps into a side of you that needs to be calm and helps focus on the day ahead of you. Then I work out early in the morning to get it out of the way because our days go way into the night,” she shares. On a concluding note, Jacqueline reveals that Bollywood is her priority right now, and when the time is right, she would probably look towards Hollywood.
