Bhatt bravely accepts role
Move to India a trial for Fernandez
ACTOR Shahid Kapoor reveals that nobody wanted to star in Udta Punjab as it was too dark a movie.
Kapoor, who is working with Alia Bhatt in Shaandaar, said he convinced her to be part of the project. “We were trying to make Udta Punjab for a year but no one wanted to do it as it is a dark film. I told Alia that there was a role, which in my understanding, was one of the finest roles for a female actor,” Kapoor was reported to have said.
Two days later, Bhatt agreed to be a part of the project, which also stars Kapoor’s ex-girlfriend Karana Kapoor Khan.
“She (Bhatt) read the script and called me, crying, as she was so moved by it. She agreed to do the film and it is very brave of her. There are few actresses who like to step out of their skin and not worry about looking good to play the character. I was proud that she said yes. She made a brave choice,” he said.
Udta Punjab is a thriller, directed by Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures. It tells the story of substance abuse in the Indian state of Punjab.
Director-producer Vikas Bahl was toying with the idea of narrating the script to Bhatt, but Kapoor was determined that the Highway actress read it.
“Doing this film was a big deal for me. I am a fan of his ever since I saw Ishq Vishk. He has cute dimples, he is a very good dancer and actor. He has a happy vibe,” Bhatt said. – www.timesofIndia.com FOR Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez, moving to India to have a career in Bollywood was a challenge.
The 30-year-old actress, who made her debut in Aladin opposite Riteish Deshmukh and Amitabh Bachchan, said the Hindi film industry had always been supportive of her.
“Moving to India was challenging. I don’t have any family here, I didn’t have anyone to guide me. But I never felt for a second that I was not welcome here. The industry has been very good to me. I am glad that destiny brought me here,” she said.
The Kick actress came to India for the first time on a modelling assignment and got an offer to star in the Sujoy Ghosh-directed 2009 fantasy drama.
Fernandez credits the modelling industry with helping her understand Bollywood. “Modelling was a good training ground. It is about losing your inhibitions, knowing your body and confidence, which are characteristics that an actor also requires.”
Fernandez will play a mother in her coming film Brothers. “I am taking on a different role compared to the parts I have played before. I am taking on the role of a mother who is going through a crisis of her own.” Asked if she had any inhibitions about playing a mother at such an early stage of her career, Jacqueline said, “No. I don’t know why actresses are apprehensive about playing mothers, especially when we have mothers of all ages in our world and society.” – www.timesofindia.com