15 February,2010 11:02 AM IST | | Urmimala Banerjee
Pretty, vivacious and contented, that's Jacqueline Fernandez for you. "Though I am ambitious and want to make a mark for myself, I want to have a life as well," says Jacqueline. Looking forward to the release of her second film Jaane Kahan Se Aaye Hai in April, she talks to CS about her roots and life in India:
WHO: Actor Jacqueline Fernandez
WHAT: Talking about her stint in Bollywood
WHERE: At her Bandra residence
The wonder years
I spent my growing years in Bahrain in a very multi-cultural environment. My dad is Sinhalese and my mom Malaysian. My father was a DJ, so growing up was a lot of fun. There was always music in the house and we got passes to the coolest shows and concerts in town. I came to India on a modelling contract in 2007 and got my first film, Aladin in a few months. I never intended to enter Bollywood, it just happened to me.
Exposure to India
Frankly, I didn't watch Bollywood movies as a kid. My dad followed Hindi films quite regularly and the Indian community in Bahrain is quite crazy about Bollywood. My friends used to swoon over SRK, Salman and Aamir and I used to wonder what the hullabaloo is all about. I didn't understand Hindi then. But when I saw the Indian beauty queens succeeding in the international arena, I developed an interest in Indian fashion, Bollywood and glamour.u00a0
New girl in the city
Well, the lifestyle in Sri Lanka is similar to that in Goa, chilled out. Mumbai is a very fast-paced city and it did take me a while to get used to this life. But unlike other urban cities, Mumbai has a soul, which is very endearing. I love chilling out at Bandstand, shopping on the streets or going for a nice long drive in South Mumbai. The sea gives a sense of calmness to the city. I have made a lot of friends out here. But the culture in India and Sri Lanka is quite similar in terms of family values, respect for tradition and overall warmth of the people.u00a0
The real Jacqueline
I am an islander at heart- totally chilled out. As a person, I am friendly, curious with a sense of adventure. I am ambitious but I don't want my life to be just work, work and work. As a young lady, I want to go out and explore new places, things and ideas. I want to strike a healthy work-life balance. I wouldn't let my work jeopardise my health or my family life, even if it means doing one film less in a year. I am in no hurry.
