As told to Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 4, 2018)

I did my first modelling assignment at age five for a shop that sold baby clothes but started out as a professional model when I was around 12. I grew up in the small island country of Bahrain and my sister had started doing ramp shows — at the time, modelling was more like a hobby. As kids, we were earning good pocket money, which we were very happy about and never bothered our parents for anything.

But I’d always had this dream of becoming an actress and it lingered in my mind for a while; I had figured it was too far-fetched, and never pursued it. When I had the opportunity to go to the University of Sydney, I took up Mass Communications and set my modelling aspirations aside. At the university, I took up political science and law as I wanted to pursue broadcast journalism and my dream was to be a part of the BBC.

After completing the two-year course, I did my internship in Sri Lanka where I collaborated with my aunt and worked on a television show called No War Zone for a leading network. I got to interview some interesting people, work on the production side and broadcast for a business program that aired as late as 11 pm (laughs). It was fun, we would mainly do vox pops, work on the edit but the main stuff was done by my senior colleagues and I would assist them.

We would report to work at 10 am, sit in the edit meet to discuss stories of the week, after which our group leader would assign us work. I really enjoyed it as we were a part of the group that wanted to know what was going on in our country. Our lunch breaks were great fun too as we would all gather around to eat, and I would bring homemade food cooked by my grandma. After that we would either get out for assignments, work on creatives or do research but most of the times we would just google nonsense. I remember doing that once while the Cannes Film Festival was on and seeing what Ash (Aishwarya Rai) was wearing. At that time, I had no idea about Bollywood.

I did that for about two years. The intention behind becoming a journalist was to tell the truth to the public and spread positivity. But there were times when I would get so disappointed seeing something or reading certain articles, I still wonder why people need to bring others down.

Meanwhile, travelling would eat up a huge chunk of my salary, even though I lived quite close to my office. I made no money as a journalist as I was interning at the time but in Bahrain, when I was about 15-16, I’d made enough money from a couple of ramp shows in a year to be able to walk into a Gucci store and buy the smallest bag on display. I still have it. It was the cheapest one in the store, but it was the first designer label I ever bought. I also bought a pair of earrings for my mom.

I continued to model in Sri Lanka while also interning as a journalist. The modelling industry wasn’t huge there at the time and ramp walks offering decent money were rare to come by. Things changed for me when I won Miss Sri Lanka Universe. I started getting modelling assignments in India and it paved way for a lot of travel and good money. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid so much for one show (laughs).

Also, early on in my modelling career, I started getting film offers. Honestly, I didn’t expect much until I got a call for Sujoy Ghosh’s Aladin which also had Mr Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest superstar in one of the largest film industries in the world. It may have been different from what I initially dreamt of — which is Hollywood — but I didn’t want to let the opportunity get away. Now, I am in love with what I do.

When I look back, it was just following my heart that brought me here. That’s why I feel it’s important for parents to let their kids do what they want to so long as they work hard and become the best at it. I feel blessed that my parents always supported me.

Jacqueline Fernandez on the city’s welcoming nature and how it has changed her for the better...
Upala KBR (DNA; August 13, 2016)


That first time
"I came to Mumbai in 2009 for a photo-shoot. When I landed in the city from Sri Lanka, it was night and pitch-dark. I was adventurous at that time. I had no one to pick me up. I was just given an address so when I came outside the airport, I saw all these autos and taxis lined up. I hailed one and didn’t know where I was going or whether this guy would drop me there. There was no social media or Whats App or Snapchat at that time. Honestly, I was quite scared but this guy dropped me off to this beautiful apartment in Churchgate. I was shocked when he just picked up my bag and dropped me off there after I paid him his fare. I was like huh? I am home safe and dry! I just couldn’t believe it"

My first home
"I was staying with this wonderful couple and it was like home. They were so nice, warm and welcoming and made me a delicious breakfast the next day. That was how I spent my first day in Mumbai. I have always had some lovely experiences here. The people of Mumbai have always welcomed me and made feel at home here. I was very excited when I saw the city during my initial days. I had never seen a city like Mumbai ever in my life even though I am from Sri Lanka and I have travelled a lot. There was something about it that was extremely different. I felt that there was a buzz, a throbbing energy pulsating in the city— people were just going about doing their own thing and it was very hectic.

Mumbai helped me to achieve my dreams. I come from a place where it’s not acceptable to be an actor. While my family didn’t look down on films, acting was never a career choice and people around me would laugh if I said I wanted to be an actress. I graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Sydney. When I first came to Mumbai I wanted to get into Hollywood, but that never happened"

Bollywood, by chance
My entering Bollywood happened by chance. One day I got a call from my agent asking me to audition for a role in Sujoy Ghosh’s Aladin. I didn’t know Hindi at all. I was asked to read a script and I don’t know what happened to me — I just mumbled and fumbled my way through it! It was a disaster. I thought there was no chance of me getting the role and I don’t know how, but I landed the lead actress’s role. Even now Sujoy jokes about it saying it was the worst audition he had ever heard in his entire career. And look at me now — today I have completed over 14 films already. I feel proud of the fact that I am today where I wanted to be and this beautiful city has done that. Mumbai has shaped me to be what I am"

Mumbai vs Sri Lanka
"Mumbai and Sri Lanka are completely different from each other and I love both of them with all my heart. They are beautiful cities with loving hearts and welcome anybody who comes to them. Colombo, where I come from, is an island city and everything and everyone there is very chilled out and laidback. If I want to relax and chill, I go to Colombo — it’s beautiful. For work it’s always Mumbai. People here are always buzzing around in a frantic way, always working… I love that energy, that atmosphere"

Why I love Mumbai
"I love visiting all the healthy and natural food places in Mumbai because I am into healthy stuff. Whenever there’s a launch of any health product I am one of the first to land up there. I don’t feel lonely in Mumbai. I have made some lifelong friends here — Sonam Kapoor, Sujoy Ghosh, Riteish Deshmukh… My parents too sometimes visit me as do my friends from Sri Lanka but I am content and comfortable today in Mumbai. It has taught me to run my own home, pay my own bills and most importantly to fight my own battles. Mumbai has given me my independence, made me become more responsible, prioritise things and taught me so many things about myself. Also, I have my beautiful cat Miu Miu here, she gives me so much love and company!"

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 30, 2014)

Bipasha Basu’s last-minute decision to not perform at Hiru Golden Film Awards 2014 gala in Sri Lanka sent the organisers into a tizzy. Though the actress had flown down to Colombo especially for the show, she backed out at the eleventh hour. Neha Dhupia, who was also attending the event, stepped in for the Bong bombshell. Result? The audience saw Neha performing to Bipasha’s songs!

The awards event to promote Lankan cinema was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo over the weekend. As Bollywood is a big draw in the island country, several B-Town folk had been invited. Among those in attendance besides Bipasha and Neha were Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Vivek Oberoi and Alka Yagnik.

Says a source, “Bipasha had confirmed her act. She attended a press conference the previous day and also walked the gold carpet on the awards night, but chose not to perform. She even watched Neha’s act at the gala who rehearsed on Bipasha’s songs just before the show began.”

A source close to Neha says, “She agreed to perform in Bipasha’s place just to save the face of the Indian film industry at an international event.”

Bipasha’s spokesperson, however, says that an ankle injury during the shoot of her film, Alone, prompting her to pull out of her act. “She was limping and had been advised to rest her foot. As committed, she attended the event that aimed to bring the Indian and Lankan entertainment industry on a common platform. But when her performance was ruled out, she explained her reasons to the Lankan media,” the spokesperson adds.