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'I'm not trying to become a sex bomb'

 Jaqueline Fernandes has finally arrived. After appearing in forgettable films like Aladin and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai and a brief appearance as the sexy Dhanno in Housefull, the Sri Lankan beauty is stepping in Mallika Sherawat's famous shoes for Murder-2.

With other high-profile projects like Housefull 2 (she has a full length role in the sequel) and Raaz 3 lined up, Jacqueline is busy brushing up her acting skills.

In conversation with Sonil Dedhia, Jacqueline talks about her experience of working with the Bhatts, inevitable comparisons with Mallika Sherawat and why she has no reservations in doing a glamorous role.

How has your Bollywood experience been so far?
 
The films I did are different from each other and I enjoyed playing both roles and also the item number that I did in Housefull. I am lucky to have worked in two films. It's been an exciting phase so far. I have just started my career and have a long way to go. 

The Bhatts are known to have made the careers of a lot of their leading ladies.

I am fortunate that I got an opportunity to be a part of such a huge franchise. The Bhatts are an amazing family and a production house to work with and I guess anyone will back me up for this.

I have had the best time working with them as they treated me like family and have pampered me on the sets and they were always open for suggestions. I am looking forward to doing a lot more movies with them. I just hope that I have delivered what they expected.

'Murder 2 is very different from the first film'

So do you think that you have delivered what they were expecting?

There was a lot of speculation and expectations when I signed Murder-2. I guess I have lived up to the expectations as this was the first movie where I've done a lot of research. I had to do a lot of homework for my character.

I was very particular about how I would project certain scenes. It was very difficult. I suddenly realised that this is what acting is (Laughs).

The audience is anticipating steamier and more intense love make scenes in the sequel.

I know people are expecting a lot from this movie because of the success of the first movie. I feel people should leave behind whatever memories they have of Murder.

Murder needed to have a lot of sexuality and boldness because it was based on a woman who was cheating on her husband which was shown so beautifully. This movie is completely different.

'Actresses cannot have any inhibitions while portraying bold characters'

You play a centre-spread model in the film. Did you have any inhibitions of portraying such a bold character?

Let me tell you one thing. Actresses cannot have any inhibitions while portraying bold characters. It is something that we learn on the first page of the book on acting. We all portray a lot of characters and once we get into a shot we have to come out of our skin and be a completely different person. I wanted to explore myself.

To be honest, sensous roles appeal to me as they are very different from the regular fare.

But a lot of leading actresses have refused to go glamorous and do intimate scenes onscreen.

That is something which I cannot understand. A sensuous or a steamy scene can be done very aesthetically or in a way that titillates the audience. As an actor one needs to know the boundaries and has to put a lot of faith in the directors and co-actors. At the end of the day it is acting and if it fits into the script then it needs to be there.

'It bothers me when my role is compared to Mallika's'

How did you prepare for the role?

When I was briefed about the role, I realised that this was going to be a very challenging task and that I'll need to work with someone.

There are scenes where I have to be hopelessly in love or others where I am struggling or being harassed and tortured so I worked with a teacher who taught me how to get my scenes right.  When I started acting it never actually felt like I was doing a Hindi film. I would always take it very lightly and never thought that it would be so tough.

There are comparisons between you and Mallika Sherwat. Does that bother you?

It bothers me when my role is getting compared to her. The stories are not the same and it doesn't make any sense to make any comparisons.

On a personal level I don't have any complaints when people compare me to her. For me, Mallika Sherawat is someone who is so real and is unafraid to be herself. She speaks her mind and in an industry which is quite fake, she is someone who is completely different. She needs to be applauded for where she is today.

'Mallika needs to be applauded for where she's reached'

Are you trying to replace her and become the next sex bomb of the industry?

I don't want to replace her. I am not trying to be a sex bomb or the next sexy actress on the block. I am trying to be versatile and it will reflect in the movies I'm doing or will do in future.

Tell us about your chemistry with Emraan Hashmi.

I got along with Emraan very well. He was very quiet when we met for the first time but as soon as the shooting comenced in Goa, he opned up and we had a blast. He has a very dark sense of humour which a lot of people don't know about. 

'Emraan Hashmi has a dark sense of humour'

How is your equation with Riteish Deshmukh?

I always joke around with him that I am his actress stalker (Laughs). But on a serious note it's very uncanny because even the offers that I get now already have him in it. A lot of them still want to cast Riteish and me together. 

I guess its also because he is a popular actor and is a part of a lot of successful commercial films. It is not going to be the last time you are going to see Riteish and me opposite each other.

Is it true that he helped you get a lot of your roles?

Not at all. He values an individual too much to use his weight around. He doesn't like to take any favours and he respects people who make it on their own merit. I can tell you whatever work I have got or done till date is completely my own struggle and hard work. I want directors to cast me when they feel I am worthy enough. I don't think I would take anybody's help to get into films.

'It's very disturbing to be linked with your friends'

You have constantly been linked with Riteish.

It has become a new trend that co-stars get linked every now and then. Not only me but Genelia is also lined with Riteish and it bothers me because both of them are very good friends and. It is disturbing when you get linked with your friends in the national newspapers. At the end of the day we know our equation and that is what matters.

Would we ever see you in a de-glam role?

Yes, I would love to do it. I hate repeating myself and I would love to do different characters.

You are also doing Housefull-2.

Yes we have done a photo shoot. Asin was very cordial when we met. I have known Zarine and she is a very sweet girl. I consider her as my younger sister. I am playing a very overtly righteous girl who grew up in London and she stands up for what she thinks is right with a comic element in it.

Is Raaz-3 on the cards too?

We will have Mahesh Bhatt making the announcement soon.