Lisa Haydon – ‘Queen’ helped in shaping my career

Hailing from a modelling background made her put in extra efforts to convince people about her capabilities as an actor, but Lisa Haydon says that Kangana Ranaut-starrer “Queen”, in which she played the part of the bohemian single mother Vijay Laxmi, has changed her life in many ways on the career front.

“My life has changed a lot post ‘Queen’ because that was a breakthrough film where people acknowledged my acting. It is always difficult to break preconceptions if you are coming from modelling background. I feel that you have to work harder and prove yourself if you have a successful modelling career.

“All the girls have gone through this, but I believe ‘Queen’ was the film where people took notice of me. I am very grateful as the film has changed my life in many ways on the career front,” Lisa told IANS on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week winter-festive 2015.

The model-turned-actress, who made her acting debut with the 2010 film “Aisha”, was last seen on the big screen in “Shaukeens”. Her next film is “Houseful 3” where she will be seen sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and many more.

Asked about the film, the actress said: “We haven’t started shooting as yet, but yeah I am excited as I am doing comedy again and this is my favourite zone, so I am looking forward to it,” said Haydon, who is also the host of reality TV show “India’s Next Top Model”.

The show’s final episode will air in September.

Talking about the show, she said: “I think lot of girls around the country have found the show completely aspirational because these are the girls who are completely raw, have no experience in fashion weeks or photoshoots before. We are putting them on the main stage. They came from smaller villages, smaller cities, smaller towns and have different backgrounds.”

“India’s Next Top Model” is the Indian adaptation of the extremely popular show “America’s Next Top Model”. Akash Sharma, co-founder and executive producer of Bulldog Media & Entertainment, holds the the exclusive rights holder and producer for the India franchise of CBS sensation.

The show offers its viewers experience and exploration of the world of fashion, talent and immense competition.

Asked about her take on the supermodel concept in India, Lisa said: “Models don’t entirely get the respect they deserve in this country because they are not like superstars on their own. Its only when they become actresses that they are considered superstars.”

But she is hopeful that with this show, she is going to give a face who can work well in every sector.

“In the last few years, we haven’t had a girl who covers everything. I think its very hard to find a girl who is committed to business and then becomes a supermodel as they want to travel, study and do many things. But we are hopeful that we will find one with this show,” she said.A

Inputs by IANS