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'I'll be tough competition for Katrina Kaif'
Caterina Lopez, the latest Bollywood import, is visibly psyched about her item number in the upcoming film Bhindi Bazaar Inc, which releases next week.
The sexy Latina, who also happens to be Jennifer Lopez's cousin, talks to us about her Bollywood journey so far.
Tell us about the item number that you have performed in the film.
I am playing a bar girl and it's a very sexy item number. The song has got a very western look. I had a lot of fun shooting for the song, as it was something new for me. The song is very catchy and I guess a lot of people are really going to like it.
'I play a bar dancer in Bhindi Bazaar'
You shot for 16 hours at a stretch for the song.
Yes, it was quite an experience for me. In India, you have so many people on the sets, you have to assume that nobody is present and keep continuing to give your shots.
Were you uncomfortable at any point of time?
It was a little uncomfortable but we have to pretend that nobody is there and stick to your character.
'I was a little uncomfortable during the shoot'
There are a lot of foreign actresses who are trying to make their mark in Bollywood. What sets you apart from the rest?
I just think I am very dedicated and very ambitious. I am looking to stay here for a long time and hopefully would give a tough competition to Katrina Kaif (laughs) but I am not interested in Salman Khan.
Is Katrina Kaif a benchmark for you?
She is just a good example. In spite of not knowing anyone, she has made it big in Bollywood. I am not saying she is the best actress but she needs to be credited for what she has achieved.
Have you seen any of her movies?
No. Do I need to watch her movies (Laughs)?
'Lip synching was difficult'
You are learning to speak Hindi.
Yes, I am on a mission to learn to speak Hindi. I go for Hindi classes for two hours everyday and it is going to take sometime before I can speak it fluently.
How did you lip sync for the song?
I would write down the way I would speak it in my accent and I had to go through each line and pronounce it correctly. I had a teacher who would help me to do it. It was difficult.
'I want to visit Bhendi Bazaar'
Have you been to Bhendi Bazaar, in South Mumbai?
No, not yet. I want to visit it.
There are a lot of projects that I have been offered but right now I just want to see how people react to the song and then I will take the decision.
Which are your favourite Hindi songs?
I like Salman Khan's Dhinka Chika. I also love Sheila Ki Jawani and Munni Badnaam Hui.
Were there any embarrassing moments on the sets?
I was shooting for the song with Prashant Narayanan and in one of the sequences, they had to show me taking off my bra and also figure out a way to do it so that Prashant wouldn't get a peak of that area.