From a small town in Brazil, Giselle Montero has become an overnight star in Bollywood. After all, she brought Love Aaj Kal's Harleen Kaur to life so beautifully.
When she was a child, Giselle had many people telling her that she looked more Indian than Brazilian. So one day, she decided to try her luck in the country, and enrolled to be a model.
She landed in Mumbai, and was lucky enough to bag Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal through a model coordinating agency.
Giselle talks to Syed Firdaus Ashraf about her journey from Brazil to Bollywood, and her future plans.
'A lot of Indian men want to marry me'
How are you feeling after the success of Love Aaj Kal?
I feel good about getting famous! People recognise me, especially when I tie my hair. I have signed many autographs too. I will need security to move around now (laughs).
What is the sweetest fan message you have received yet?
A lot of Indian men want to marry me! That's very cute.What made you come to India to act?
I was a model. People used to tell me that I look like an Indian. It used to be embarrassing but I started getting curious about India as a country. So I came here to try modeling and after 20 days, I got this break.
It was nice working with this team. Imtiaz Ali and Saif Ali Khan were great. I learnt a lot from them because I had no idea what acting was.
'People in Brazil want to know more about India'
Is it true you were supposed to play Saif's foreigner girlfriend but eventually landed up playing a Punjabi girl?
Yes, that is true. It was a surprise. When he told me about Harleen, I could find similarities with her. I wasn't scared at all. I just had to pick up some Hindi and dance for which I was little concerned. But finally, everything went well.
Do people know about Bollywood in Brazil?
There is a soap opera that is doing very well in Brazil. People there are curious to know more about Indian and Indian films. Whenever I call my friends, they say Namaste, kaisey ho.
Do you think you have paved a way for other Brazilian girls to come and act in Bollywood?
I don't know. But there is so much talk about India. People in Brazil want to know more about India.
Did you fear coming so far?
No, I am used to travel.
What are your future plans?
I am going to stay here and look for more work. I am going to learn Hindi and dance.
But didn't you dance well in the film?
I feel I could have done better. Some more training would have helped me.
'I was really amazed to see how popular Bollywood stars are'
What do you think about the huge popularity of Bollywood stars in India?
I was really amazed to see how popular Bollywood stars are. In my country, people are not fanatic about film stars. But here, people are crazy about stars.
Are you living by yourself in Mumbai?
I plan to bring my mother here. I want her to know what I am doing here. My family is dying to see me here. They want to see my film Love Aaj Kal.
'I wanted to do my best in my work'
Did you always want to be famous, as a child?
I wanted to do my best in my work. But that was always modelling.
What inspired you to be a model?
I think it was my height. I'm 5' 10. A lot of people have told me that I had it in me to become a model. So I found an agency with great difficulty. It is not easy because there are bad choices too. That agent sent me to Germany and that's how modelling began.
How did you learn English?
I learned English by traveling around the world. I learnt it without help from any teacher.
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