Ambitious: Long way to go

Bollywood diva Jacqueline Fernandez believes she still has much more to achieve as an actor

MUMBAI: Despite having been in Bollywood for eight years now, actor Jacqueline Fernandez does not feel she has fully “arrived” in the industry just yet. Instead, the Sri Lankan star claims she still has a long way to go until she achieves something substantial through her films.

“I still feel that I have a lot more to do and achieve. Once I have done that, I will be able to focus my attention on things like reaching out, helping and giving back to people,” said Fernandez. “It really needs to come to the point when you feel you have enough to give back. Right now, I feel I still have to do a lot more.”

A former beauty queen, Fernandez forayed into Bollywood back in 2009 with Sujoy Ghosh’s Aladin. Since then, she has gone on to star in some major multi-starrer projects such a Kick, Roy, Race 2 and Dishoom. Most recently, Fernandez was seen opposite Tiger Shroff in A Flying Jatt.

When asked if she ever thought of heading back to Sri Lanka and doing something for the people there, Fernandez responded, “Actually, I have done quite a bit in Sri Lanka. I have worked in their movies and we also did something with the Miss Sri Lanka pageant, in terms of mentoring and judging.” And yet, the starlet maintains that there is “still a bit more to go” before she can be called a mentor. “I think, right now, in order to do stuff like giving back to people, I have to establish myself first.”

In the meantime, the Brothers actor is working hard. Currently, she is dabbling with some small-screen projects too and is one of the judges on the ninth season of popular Indian dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. “I think everyone will vouch for the fact that we have such an amazing time on the show together. We all have great, positive energy and the journey is great,” shared Fernandez, of her experience on the show.

It must be noted that it is not just showbiz where Fernandez has been shining. She is also enjoying various endorsement deals, the latest of which is an association with a global hair care and styling brand. The actor recently returned to her modelling roots as well. “I am very selective about the brands with which I associate myself, which is why there are very few but fantastic brands on my endorsement plate,” said Fernandez. “I only go for brands that I am loyal to as for me, authenticity is very important. It’s the belief that you have in the products that sells them. If you don’t have that belief, people will notice. A lot of times, things do look forced which I think should not happen.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2016.

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