Jacqueline Fernandez: Salman Khan is the most handsome man in the film industry, Arjun Rampal comes second
Feb 10, 2015, 12.00AM IST
Pretty much like her character in Roy, Jacqueline Fernandez confessed that she is a free-spirited and happy person, yet at the same time enjoys her alone time.
We caught up with the chirpy actress who opened up about who she thinks is the hottest actor in Bollywood and the challenges she faced with her upcoming film Roy.
This is the first time that we will be seeing you play a double role. Which among the two was more difficult to portray and why?
One of the characters that I play is Ayesha, who is a filmmaker. She is very similar to my personality — free-spirited, always trying to be positive, loves her job and is very passionate about it. She is a genuine person, who tries to live her life honestly and is also a hopeless romantic. So honestly, I was not worried about Ayesha's character because I just had to be myself. It was the other character Tia, which I had to work on as she is different from me. She is an introvert, very mysterious and someone who is mostly alone and enjoys her loneliness. There are things about Tia that I can relate to. Like staying all by myself, I too am alone but not lonely. So this bit I drew from my own experience. But Tia was also someone who speaks more with her eyes instead of hand gestures and words; that was what I had to work on.
READ: Jacqueline Fernandez: Lesser known facts
With this double role, do you think Bollywood is giving more screen space to women?
I think it has always been there, but now it is very prominent. Times are changing and actresses are taking a stand. Look at Anushka Sharma who is producing her own film or Sonam Kapoor, who is creating such an amazing niche for herself. Kangana Ranaut in Queen turned out to be a huge success. These are great examples of actresses moving ahead. It is great that actresses feel strong now and have enough confidence to take on such roles and movies.
Tell us about your chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.
It was an amazing experience. I never really knew them before I started working on Roy. Arjun is a genuine, lovely honest and hardworking person. He is so involved in everything and very helpful towards his co-stars, his director and even his DoP (Director of Photography). It is a beautiful thing to see that quality in an actor and that enabled me to improve my performance. Ranbir, on the other hand, is someone who takes a little time to open up, even though he is extremely kind, sweet and nice. But once he does that, he's got an amazing sense of humour and has got the right attitude towards his work. He is someone who genuinely loves his job of being an actor.
Your last film Kick was with Salman Khan and Roy is with Ranbir Kapoor. Are there any similarities between the two?
Both are extremely genuine. The common trait between the two actors is that they both love what they do — they both love being actors. I see that in them and I see that hunger and passion.
How different are they?
Salman has got more muscles; he is more bulky than Ranbir. They have very different body types.
You play a filmmaker in Roy. Do you ever plan to go behind the camera in real life?
No, I don't. Because I feel that it is a very fine art to be able to direct someone. You have to create a certain atmosphere and energy for them. But I feel that I can be better directed. I would probably do a good job with cinematography. Since school, I have been able to draw nicely and put colours together well. I can see beauty in small things. I can take really good pictures. I know that cinematography goes much deeper into it, but I think you have to have an eye for it.
In a recent interview, Arjun said that Jacqueline is very high on energy. Every morning she gets up, she is jumping and 'screeching'. So are you high on energy?
I am high on energy. I was his morning alarm. Because he needed to wake up early since we had morning shoots. But Arjun actually is extremely punctual. And he has got a great attitude towards work. If he is the one who feels that I have energy, then I have to say that I was so impressed with the way I saw him work. The kind of energy that this guy brings on set pumps everyone up.
Do you know a better good looking guy other than Arjun Rampal?
Honestly, Salman is the most handsome man in the industry; Arjun Rampal comes second.
Roy is a film about love and it is being released during the Valentine's Day weekend. Do you really feel that there should be a day dedicated to love?
I think it is entertaining. Obviously, it is a form of entertainment, just to see what people can come up with and do for each other. But I don't really believe in it, because it is like getting dressed up for Halloween, wherein sometimes you are in the mood for it, sometimes you are not. But I think it is sweet and pure entertainment and should be not taken too seriously.
Are you single this Valentine's?
I am pretty single (laughs). Trust me. And I am also very bored. Being single, I thought would be fun, but it is terribly boring. And I am a romantic but only when I am in love. I can't force it otherwise. When I am in love, I am ridiculously and hopelessly romantic.
How much did you have to work on your Hindi diction in Roy?
My character in the movie is quite intelligent and I had to work on my dialogues. The scariest thing about Roy was that it was sync sound. So, I had to worry about my diction all the more along with my emotions, acting and my dialogues. That was very challenging because it pushed me to work on my Hindi, and in a good way.
Most portions of Roy have been shot in Malaysia. How did it feel shooting in a place where you have spent a lot of time earlier?
I have spent quite some time in Malaysia as my mother is from there. And shooting there was a great experience. I went to two new places that I have never been to — Langkawi and Penang. It was very nice.