You’ve got to be international as well as local
Jacqueline Fernandez has graced billboards, magazines and newspapers as the beautiful face of Colombo Jewellery Stores for over two years. From a 20’s flapper girl to a very regal Cleopatra, the glamorous star has been the leading lady of some exciting campaigns for the industry giant.
Jacqueline at the Colombo Jewellery Stores website launch. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
But the beauty queen turned Bollywood actress knows the hard reality behind the picture perfect image. “It’s not just enough to be able to act or look beautiful,” she says of her success on the global platform. “You have to be truly international, you know? You have to groom yourself in a more international way. I’m not saying ditch your roots-your cultural background is very important if you want to stand out. I think success lies in your ability to connect with cultures through your own roots. Be international, but very much local at the same time.”
Jacquie is literally down for the day-having flown into the country last Tuesday for a morning photo shoot in Kandy, she flew back to Colombo for the Colombo Jewellery Stores website launch (www.cjs.lk) news conference on Wednesday and was flying back to India that night. “We’re filming ‘Race 2’ tomorrow,” the young actress explains. She also hints at another exciting announcement to be made in November. “All in good time!”
Her rising stardom in Bollywood is something she handles with grace. Despite busy schedules and all the opportunity anybody could ask for back in India, she is hopeful of being cast in a role and production closer to home. “I think our producers and directors are aware that I’m open to the right script and the right kind of role. Being Sri Lankan, nothing would mean as much to me as playing for a local audience, so I’ve always kept my options open.
I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.”Here’s a tip for producers looking to secure Jacqueline- she’d love to embrace what she calls an ‘epic role’, adding that this is something she’d really be able to get her teeth into. “A timeless character… I want to be transported back in time,” she enthuses. “I want a character that I can research and study about. That’s my ideal role.”
Born in Sri Lanka, Jacqueline’s family moved to Bahrain when she was very young, and she only moved back to the island after university. As the anchor of the Lanka Business Report on ETV and also engaged in philanthropic work, in 2006 she won the Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe contest, stunning audiences into admiration with equal measures of beauty and brains.
Post Miss Universe, Jacqueline set her sights on Bollywood, starring in productions alongside Ritesh Deshmukh (Aladin) and making cameo appearances in box office hits such as Housefull.
Her big break came with her role in ‘Murder 2’, courting controversy for its very adult themes. Jacquie turned down other similar roles to avoid being cast as a ‘sex symbol’, but nevertheless remains unapologetic about her decisions. The film opened many doors for her and she was cast in the sequel of Housefull, Housefull 2, which went onto become a major commercial hit in the box office. Race 2 will see her star alongside Bollywood heavy weights Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abrahm and Anil Kapoor.
As for the CJS jewellery she’s down in the country for, she waxes lyrical. “I love my pieces. I really do. I know that a lot of young people these days go for costume jewellery instead, because it’s easier to access and obviously more affordable.
For me, a good piece of jewellery is worth a thousand of the costume, because they’re timeless. Every piece I own is a personal statement for me and I love them because they’re so beautiful and meaningful. Imagine giving them to your kids and your grandkids years from now on…you’re leaving a part of you behind.”
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