For many “Betrayal Is Survival”, the tag line of Jacqueline
Fernandez’s Race 2, may seem a lot related to the Hindi film industry –
reflecting the cut-throat competition and survival mantra. But, the Sri Lankan
beauty tells hard work and honesty can do wonders.
“It is a very competitive industry. They say that if you
want to survive here, you have to be cut-throat. But I don’t see a need for
that. Sometimes I feel that hard work works. If you want to sleep well at night
it is better if you just be an honest person,” Jacqueline told in an interview.
Personally, she feels it is better to forgive and forget than brood and hold a
grudge.
She further added, “I think betrayal is a part and parcel of
life and I think we all have experienced it. But I am someone who doesn’t
believe in holding grudges. I am someone who forgives and forgets. I think it
is important.”
Born to a Sri Lankan father and Malaysian mother, Jacqueline
was raised in Bahrain,
and at the age of 14 was hosting a fitness show. She moved to Australia
for her college studies, and then returned to Sri
Lanka, where she took up a reporting job.
The year 2006 turned to be a game-changer for her as she
entered the Miss Sri Lanka beauty pageant, and won the crown. That set the
stage for the Miss Universe contest at Los Angeles
for her. She didn’t make it to the finals, but her visibility drew and she made
her entry into Bollywood.
Though her debut movie Aladin opposite Riteish Deshmukh
failed to click at the box office, the movie landed her roles in Housefull 2,
Murder 2 and now Race 2.
“It is a little bit difficult when you have come from
outside. I feel that the industry embraces people who are from the industry
faster and with wider arms. But once you have proved yourself, it is easier for
them to accept you,” indicating that creating a place for herself was not easy.
“I remember when Aladin didn’t do well, I felt a little bit
shunned, because it is so difficult to get a second chance especially if you
are not from the group. You put in twice the effort and start again,” tells
Jacqueline.
The actress seems to be wary of making friends in the
industry even though she has spent quite some time here.
“I think at the end of the day, these are all people you
have to work with. Sometimes it is difficult because you don’t want to cross
that line between professionalism and friendship. Getting along with co-stars
is important, but when it comes to having real friends I don’t go looking for
them in the film industry,” she told.
With two successful movies Murder 2 and Housefull 2 in
her kitty, Jacqueline views the achievement as a huge responsibility.
“It (success) just gives you more responsibility. I guess it
makes you work harder. It doesn’t change you as a person; it changes the
surrounding and scenario and gives a lot more responsibility,” she told.
Directed by the duo Abbas-Mustan, Race 2 also stars
Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Ameesha Patel.
The film is slated for release on January
25th 2013.