Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 25, 2015)

Victoria's Secret supermodel and two-time Kingfisher Calendar girl, Elena Roxana Fernandes, will make her Bollywood debut with a sizzling special appearance in Karan Arora's thriller Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein, which has been directed by Manish Srivastav.

The London-based model recently shot for a James Bond-style title sequence, choreographed by Stanley D'Costa, over three days.

"It's a track that introduces the film with action-styled dance moves, much like 007's women, who dance to Adele's voice," Elena told Mirror. Sung by Neisha Mascarenhas and composed by Rohit Kulkarni, the song introduces 'Charlie' who is not a character in the film but refers to the popular drug, cocaine.

The actress points out that many international models like Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez, have come to India to become an actress and she's aiming for the same. "It's a natural transition from modelling to acting and this peppy number came as a pleasant surprise at the right time. It's a stroke of good luck," she adds.

But it was not her co-star Naseeruddin Shah's presence on the sets that excited her. It was in fact a stray cat, now called Sydney, who brightened her day. Elena even took the cat back home. "I met Sydney on the streets and he has now joined my family in Central London. He is my first gift from India," laughs Elena, whose father is from Goa and mother from South America.

The actress is currently taking Hindi-speaking classes and since her first visit to Mumbai, three and a half years ago, the cat lover has flown back two more kittens to keep Sydney company, taking her total pet count to 14. "I'm optimistic about a film career and obsessed with animals. There's always an 'animal rights activist' tag attached to whatever I do," she laughs.

Manish Mishra (DNA; August 6, 2014)

Her humanly-impossible-to-achieve abs can give any model or Bollywood actress a run for her money. The UK-bred buxom beauty Elena Fernandes is looking at making a foray in Bollywood. We came across her images when designer Wendell Rodricks posted her pictures on his Instagram account. We are still recuperating from the multi-sensory assault they wreaked on us and decided to take a pell-mell plunge into the fascinating life of the model who is half-Peruvian with a Goan father. Read on ...

Have you considered acting in Hindi films?
I have always been proud of my Indian heritage and enjoy working in India; it is famed, of course, for Bollywood. I would love the opportunity to star in a Hindi film as I love the positivity and happiness that they encompass. I feel that they unite India. To be a part of that and to be immortalised in a Hindi film would be a dream come true. Who wouldn’t want to be in a film by Homi Adajania like the popular Cocktail or of course the popular Dhoom franchise with the gorgeous Katrina Kaif.

Are you fluent in Hindi?
My father is Goan and my mother is Peruvian. My father particularly has always encouraged my development with languages and supported my journey through India. I am currently studying Hindi and find that it is a beautiful language. I always try to practise as I travel around India which I know produces a few laughs for the rickshaw drivers in the Bandra area of Mumbai.

You are from the UK but you live in Spain. How has the global exposure influenced you?
I was born and raised in the UK but fortunately have been successful in India. I shot for the Kingfisher Calendar 2013 and also editorial spreads for Vogue India and Elle. As a professional, the global exposure has shaped my career on an international level and shaped my understanding of different cultures and work ethics. As an individual I am humbled by the support, love and development I have received from different individuals around the globe and that has shaped me to be the individual I am today, appreciative of the opportunities that I have been given and understanding the value of the position that I am in.

Who are your favourite Bollywood directors and stars? Any favourite Hindi film?
I couldn’t possibly choose one favourite Bollywood director and film. I love Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Dhoom 3 by Vijay Krishna Acharya, Chennai Express directed by Rohit Shetty, Ek Tha Tiger by Kabir Khan, Heroine directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, and of course Cocktail, the first Bollywood film I watched on my flight as I left India. I’m sure you can already guess by the films that I have listed that my favourite stars are popular and beautiful Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor Khan. Among the male Bollywood superstars Saif Ali Khan, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan are my favourites. I would love to work with these talented individuals as they are the foundation of Bollywood.

What’s your impression of the Indian film industry?
My impression of Bollywood is that it is kind a like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. I honestly feel like it’s the most relatable factor amongst Indians. Watching a Bollywood film allows us to forget about few grim realities for some time and allows everyone to connect with each other, laugh, dance and sing.

CHECK OUT THE HOT IMAGES OF ELENA FERNANDES POSTED BY WENDELL RODRICKS