Jacqueline actor I’m al
WAfter being told the story and I saw this girl’s journey... It was a character I had to portray.” Fernandez on Mrs Serial Killer
HEN IT COMES to movie roles and, in this weekend’s case, corporate associations, Sri Lankan Bollywood superstar Jacqueline Fernandez’s choices usually fulfill somewhat set criteria. The model-turned-actor tends to favour the bold, colourful and fun projects: the Judwaa 2 and Housefull 3s of the world – which makes her the perfect fit as Splash fashion’s newest brand ambassador. In Dubai this weekend to launch the label’s autumn-winter collection, the funky colours and cuts reflect the performer’s often positive and bright on-screen characters. This sunny perception may be set to change, however, with next year’s Netflix release of dark, brooding Mrs Serial Killer. The movie’s one-line synopsis tells you all you need to know: ‘When her husband is framed and imprisoned for serial murders, a doting wife must perform a murder exactly like the serial killer, to prove her husband innocent.’ Dropping in January, the picture is directed by Shirish Kunder and produced by Farah Khan.
“It’s super intense… a character I’ve never dreamt of or saw myself doing before. It’s very challenging,” Fernandez said about the project when we met in Dubai Marina. “It came about last year. This offer to do Netflix was a new thing, but I was very excited it was going to be on a digital platform. After being told the story and I saw this girl’s journey; it was intriguing. I knew it would be something I would definitely go watch. It was a character I had to portray.”
Yet such a departure from her regular parts did come with an element of trepidation, she said, revealing there were many questions the actor asked of herself before fully committing.
“I wasn’t sceptical, but hesitant. ‘Is this the right move?’ This is not as commercial as I usually am. ‘Am I making a mistake?’ It’s risky sometimes. If you don’t work in that type of cinema or in those type of roles it does affect you because maybe you won’t get others (commercial roles) anymore.
“But this is an area I do want to excel and pursue. It was a great journey and everyone is very confident about it. As an actor I’m always my worst critic and until the last minute I’m extremely nervous and stressed about it.”
Fernandez said she hoped Mrs Serial Killer will be a turning point in her career, potentially exposing the actor to unexplored stories and parts. Her next release, Drive, also on Netflix, is arguably more in line with the 34-year-old’s work to date. A bold and brash heist film complete with shiny sports cars and item numbers, Fernandez recently posted a clip of her main song in the movie, Karma.
“It’s a jazzy one,” she said of the tune “It’s something quite different. I love that kind of style. That was the director’s vision.”
In Drive Fernandez will star alongside Sushant Singh Rajput, who according to Fernandez, is an equal streaming addict.
“I’m constantly on it (Netflix) and love seeing the kind of content they put out. It’s always different and original. It has given room to so “I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista at all. I dress according to what I’m feeling that day. I don’t put a lot of thought into it. I put a lot of thought into my characters – how they need to look or how they need to be dressed. I go into every small detail. For myself, I’m a little more laid back and I like to be comfortable.”