'Filmmakers have not flooded me with the kind of roles I want to do'

'During the Queen shoot, I was pretty depressed. I thought I had done a crap job and no one would notice me.'

Lisa Haydon opens up.

Model-turned-actress Lisa Haydon was the surprise find in Kangana Ranaut’s Queen.

Her bohemian character got terrific response but while shooting for the film, Lisa thought she was doing a 'crap job'.

The stunning actress, who turns 29 next week, opens up about herself to Sonil Dedhia/ Rediff.com.

You will be 29 on June 17. How do you plan to celebrate your birthday?

I have pretty much done everything so far on my birthdays, so this year I want to spend quality time with my family. I want to have a peaceful evening.

When was the last time you let your hair down?

I went on a cruise ship from Venice to Croatia last month. It was a friend's birthday party. He rented a cruise ship with 120 rooms. 

I remember staying up till sunrise and it was simply stunning. The sky had become indigo and electric blue. We were all dancing and having fun. It almost felt like as if we were shooting for a Bacardi rum advertisement (laughs).

Why did you decide to endorse Pantene?

I chose to become its brand ambassador because of its ethos and sentiments. The brand’s message is strong and healthy from inside and shiny from outside, and that is very similar to the way I feel about life.

One Bollywood actor and actress who have sexy hairstyles?

Shahid Kapoor has got great hair.

In actresses, it has to be Katrina Kaif. Her hair falls really well.

Has any incident made you strong?

I don’t think much about the past because I am not the same person I was two months ago.

Every day we meet new people, face various situations and experience new things.

I really feel any person who wants to enter the glamour industry needs to be strong as well as grounded. I have been in the industry for 10 years now.

Which has been the shining moment of your life?

Queen was a shining performance but I didn’t have the easiest time shooting that film.

I had to learn a new language (her character Vijayalaxmi speaks French) and I also fell ill. I had tonsillitis but I had to smoke black cigarettes as it was a part of my character. We had an ambulance waiting on standby for the entire time.

During the shoot, I was pretty depressed. I thought I had done a crap job and no one would notice me.

After the film came out, it not only got me attention, but people praised my performance as well. It was totally surprising (laughs).  

You have been very selective with your films.

I don’t like to sound choosy. I have been offered a fair amount of films but committing to a film is a huge responsibility.

Also, filmmakers have not flooded me with the kind of roles I want to do.

I did The Shaukeens and I am doing another film so I am taking things at my own pace.

Do you think your unconventional looks and the language, are a hindrance?

I don’t think so. It's too early to say that. I want to wait and see if that’s the case, after a few more films.

If I get an opportunity to play a romantic girl and wear traditional Indian clothes I’d like to do it.

On the other hand, there are so many characters that I can play where the girl is not Indian. 

Are you open to doing item numbers?

I don’t like the term ‘item.’ I wouldn’t mind doing a dance number but it all depends on what film it is and the song. 

What’s your fitness regime like?

I love running. It is the easiest thing to do when I am travelling.

My job requires a lot of travel so I try and keep myself fit in whichever way possible. Every hotel you go to usually has a treadmill, so it’s the easiest form of exercise.

I also love pilates and yoga. If I’m exercising on a regular basis, I will do running for a couple of days, then do pilates for the next two days and then do some light weightlifting or yoga.

Do you follow any particular diet?

I maintain a pretty healthy diet. I have fruits and cereals in the morning and vegetable juice mid-morning. I prefer some protein intake for lunch so I include a lot of salads. I cheat in the afternoon and have junk like chocolates or a muffin (winks).

I have a good dinner with rice or sushi or some interesting dish.

Are you a good cook?

I think so (laughs). I love to cook.

One Indian dish that you can really cook well?

(Thinks hard) When I was young, I would make an amazing dal. Now I don’t really cook so the best that I can do is make a good masala omelette (laughs).

You are a travel freak. Can you tell us three destinations that are on your bucket list?

I would like to travel to Greece, which I will be doing very soon.

I would love to go to Hawaii as it has been on my bucket list since I was a kid.

The last destination would be Argentina.