Jacqueline Fernandez on ‘Housefull 3’, Salman Khan and her bond with Sonam Kapoor

The beautiful lady from Sri Lanka, Jacqueline Fernandez came down to the city of dreams aiming to make it big in Bollywood, and here she is, delivering back-to-back hits! Jacqueline Fernandez has definitely come a long way in the industry. Be it Kick’ or ‘Brothers’ and now the third installment of ‘Housefull’ series, Jacqueline has been a part of big projects and has bagged the opportunity to work with the finest directors.

With her next film ‘Housefull 3’ nearing its release, we caught up with her in a candid conversation wherein she revealed a lot of things including her film, Salman Khan’s marriage and also about her ex boyfriend Sajid Khan who was the director of the first two installments of ‘Housefull’.

Excerpts..

Why Housefull 3…
‘Housefull’ had been a special franchise for me. It’s the first time that I have been a part of franchise from the beginning. In ‘Housefull 1’, I was an item girl and then I went on to become an actress in the second one and when ‘Housefull 3’ was offered to me, it was very cool. I have a little bit of sentimental value with it. To do ‘Housefull 1’ was my dream and even though I didn’t make it to being an actress in ‘Housefull 1’, but at least I was a part of it and now being the part of ‘Housefull 3’ is like being a part of a family franchise. In fact, I just came out of ‘Brothers’ and I wanted some comedy.”

On re-teaming with Akshay…
He is someone you can work with over a 100 times and still learn from him. There are new jokes every day when he is around. Even while we were shooting for ‘Brothers’ he had that positive energy. Obviously he wasn’t playing so many pranks and hopping around the place, but he is very funny to work with and with ‘Housefull 3’, he went mad. He was back in his phase after ‘Brothers’ and had said that I will go crazy and that’s what exactly he has done in the film.

On her bond with other two ladies…
Boasting about the perks of being a part of a multi-starrer film, Jacqueline says, “Lisa and I, both of us auditioned for Delhi Fashion Week and we shared the same room so I know her since then. So from there, we have gone down to doing a film together now. So it’s amazing to have someone who knows me since that time. And Nargis did an item number in ‘Kick’, so I know her since then and we were able to catch up. There’s a lot I can relate to them as I know even they are not from India and it’s not easy. So yeah, we were just trying to help each other out.”

Is the industry more accepting now?
In the beginning, it was like I didn’t fit in this industry. I was also extremely uncomfortable at certain situations. I couldn’t be at filmy parties as it was a very weird thing. People were like who is this girl and it was more about me. I did not have that confidence, but things started changing after ‘Murder 2’. People started taking me seriously only after ‘Kick’. It was like, I know, I have a stand in this industry and I proved myself.

How Sajid was different than Sajid-Farhad?
‘Housefull’ series started with Sajid Khan and now he is not there. It is fantastic to have Sajid-Farhad who understand comedy genre and that’s important. Even with Sajid, he understood the script, the essence of comedy and I think it’s important that we have directors who know how to work on comedy films to take forward the franchise. Sajid knew the pulse of comedy and that’s why the first two instalments worked and we are lucky that we have Sajid-Farhad who have such a good hold on comedy. 

Whether she would like to do comedy once again?
Definitely is the answer, and if it’s Akshay then 100%. Comedy is a genre which is fun to do especially when an actress gets to do comedy and she is not only the brunt of comedy. ‘Housefull 3’ has that. We were really lucky to do that.

On social media…
Things were so different for me before social media. People had such a strong perception of me because they would see me in a couple of odd films and they had no idea on who I am? With social media, the coolest thing is that you can form your identity. I love the fact that the fans get to know who I am and yeah, it’s a fantastic film.

Salman Khan’s marriage…
I wish him all the best. I hope he finds happiness on whatever he wants to do, whether marry or not to marry. But he deserves to be happy.

On Sonam Kapoor’s Cannes red carpet outfits…
I just wish that they try to walk the red carpet at Cannes and then pass the judgement and make fun. I went to Cannes only once and it is so stressful to be on that red carpet as there are hundreds of international press around you, and on that you are representing India, representing a brand and there’s so much pressure to do it right so people need to give credit for that instead of sitting behind the desk and making fun of that. But everyone has their own opinion and Sonam knows that and it does not affect her at all.

How much Sonam’s opinion matters to her…
They are very important because I know they are genuine. There are no other intentions but to be genuine and truthful. She gives a very honest opinion about everything. Her advice is very valuable.

Some insights on her personal life…
It is such a sad thing to say but my social life is completely zero. I don’t have a social life even for my family. I get asked a lot that don’t you miss having someone in life or being with family but the fact is that my work is so consuming. I have no space in my life for someone and I am a workaholic. Eventually, I’ll have to take a step back and enjoy my life and get a boyfriend, but that has to happen organically.

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.