Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez will be seen in UK cinemas from today in the much awaited Salman Khan action comedy, Kick.
Kick is helmed by popular producer-turned-director Sajid Nadiadwala, with the screenplay written by Sajid Nadiadwala and acclaimed author Chetan Bhagat. The film also stars Randeep Hooda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mithun Chakraborty and a special appearance by Nargis Fakhri.
The former Miss Sri Lanka Universe spoke to Bollywood Reporter Sunny Malik about the film, her co-star, love for London and her upcoming concert at The 02…
You have had huge success with Race 2 last year. Soon after you were signed for Roy with Ranbir Kapoor, Kick opposite Salman Khan and as the face of ‘The Body Shop’ in India. Your life has changed quite a bit…
It is definitely an extremely great time for me. I know that every movie and project is exciting but with Kick, it is a completely different experience because it is the biggest movie of my career. It’s just WOW for me! I have worked extremely hard on this movie, the hardest I have ever worked. But I haven’t had the time to allow it to sink in, that I am doing something which is so huge. We just wrapped up the movie a few weeks ago and I just finished dubbing for the film too. You have no idea, everything just seems like a dream to me. I am on cloud nine and exploding (laughs). From the trailer launch to the song launches, it’s weird but I had the same feeling I had during Aladin, my first feature film. When I watch the promos of Kick, I feel like this is the first time I have ever seen myself on screen. It’s really cool.
There were strong rumours of another actress being cast for the film last year. Suddenly it was announced that you were the leading lady opposite Salman Khan. Was it hidden from the public or did it happen all of a sudden?
It happened overnight. It happened in slow motion for me (laughs). I was called to Sajid Nadiwala’s office for a meeting. I presumed it was a meeting for anything else but Kick. I would never have thought that I’ll meet him for a role in Kick. I worked with him twice before and know that he makes good cinema. He suddenly offered me Kick and I was completely shocked. It was the least expected thing that ever happened to me. When there were rumours floating about who the actress will be in the film, usually I would wish for it to come to me or dream about being a part of the movie. At that time, Kick seemed so big to me that I didn’t even dream about it. I thought that were was no point in even dreaming (laughs). That was my attitude. I don’t know what amazing Karma I had in order for me to get this opportunity. It was a shocker.
Everyone wants to work with Salman Khan… He even recently tweeted about you to his 7.45 million followers…
He follows me on Twitter now, which is the coolest thing that ever happened in my life (laughs). A few weeks ago he tweeted that Jacqueline Fernandez will release the song Jumme Ki Raat, without tagging me in it. Just because he tweeted my name, my Twitter following increased by about 300,000 people. I was in shock and couldn’t believe it. Now he has followed me and I am scared to check my Twitter because it might crash (laughs).
Salman Khan has also lent his voice to the soundtrack of Kick… Were you surprised that he sings?
It’s amazing. Is there anything that Salman Khan can’t do? He is an all-rounder artist. He can do it all. When I heard him in ‘Hangover’, I was surprised because he has such an incredible voice.
It’s also the first time that you are dubbing your dialogues in Hindi… that must have been a tough task?
Honestly, throughout the year it has been a gradual process of just working hard and being consistent. I believe that is why I got a film like Kick. Even though I didn’t expect it, I knew that I was someone who was working hard. I was going to my Hindi classes and there was never a point where I wanted to give up. I was constantly analysing what else I can do and was meeting people for work. What I have learnt now is that you have to be consistent in your work. Even now, just because I have got a big movie, doesn’t mean that I can sit back and enjoy. I possibly have to even work harder now. I am obviously prepared to do it because it’s something I am doing ever since I am here working in the Indian Film Industry. I take my work very seriously and I am also enjoying it as well. It’s beautiful when you enjoy what you do.
You also came to London to shoot for the film but the schedule didn’t go ahead because of Salman’s visa issues.
I went mad when I was in London as I explored it quite a lot. Sajid Nadiwala was in Glasgow to shoot some actions scenes with Randeep Hooda. We were in London and as soon as our shopping spree was over, we were told that the schedule has been cancelled. It was still amazing though. We were shopping for the movie but we had a lot of fun all the time and were buying stuff for ourselves.
What new areas of London did you explore?
I went to all the markets like Portobello Road. I visited quite a few vintage markets and antique stores. Besides the usual visits to Harrods, I had afternoon tea, which sounds clichéd but I had to do it (laughs). We also checked out some amazing clubs. I also went to The Arts Club which was nice. It was the best time I have ever spent in London because we had free time and weren’t just shooting for a movie every day.
You are also a part of Bollywood Showstoppers, the concert taking place at The 02 in London on 3rd August…
I am excited for that. It’s in London and that is always a good reason. I also like the mix of people who are a part of it like Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Ali Zafar. I love performing and I am so excited to be in a show with my contemporaries. I have never performed in London. I can’t wait to maybe dance to ‘Jumme Ki Raat’. It should be fun. We have been working on the look and styling and have recently started rehearsing too with the choreographers from London.
KICK releases in UK cinemas on 25th July 2014.
It’s your second item number. Do you think there will be more?
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