Jacqueline Fernandez in town on saturday. Picture by Bishwarup Dutta

Her debut film might have failed to grab eyeballs, but former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez is not one to go alas over Aladin. In town for the launch of a brand new line of jewellery called Collection g Fantasia (a brand owned by World Gold Council and retailed through D’damas) at Bhowanipore’s iCore Planet , on Saturday, the pretty woman was at her spunky best. t2 had a quick chat...

For someone who has always wanted to be an actress, a debut movie with Amitabh Bachchan must have been like a dream...

Definitely! I mean despite the language the influence of Amitabh Bachchan is big in Bahrain [where Jacqueline has studied]. We are very much exposed to Indian cinema. You see his pictures everywhere! His face is everywhere. He is such a global figure, such a known face. In fact, more than me, I think it was my dad who was super-psyched about it!

What was your first reaction when you were told you would share the frame with him?

I did the auditions. We did a screen test. I didn’t even know that it was the audition for Aladin. My agency had just asked me to go. So I went. Then I got to know that it was for Aladin. They told me that I will be playing Jasmine. I thought wow, so cool (giggles)! Then they said, Amitabh Bachchan will be there in the film. My jaw just dropped! You know, I’m still in a state of shock!

Which is your favourite Big B movie?

Sholay. I have watched it twice. It is such a well-made movie. The music, the cinematography… everything is done so well.

What else made you choose Aladin as your debut movie?

There was something… first of all, the concept of bringing the character of Aladdin to life was cool. Then debuting in a fantasy tale was also enchanting (smiles)… something magical.

And now that it hasn’t done that well, you must be disappointed...

It’s four years of hard work…you know when I saw Aladin, I was bowled over. I loved it! I went for a couple of shows with big groups of children. I could hear their laughter and gasps. That for me was very touching. I think Aladin is a benchmark in terms of special effects and graphics. The industry just gets better that way.

So, what have you taken home from Aladin?

A movie with Amitabh Bachchan!

What next for Aladin’s Jasmine?

Jaane Kahaan Se Aaye Ho Tum by Nikhil Advani. I play Tara. She is an alien from Venus! She has come to earth in search of love. Here she comes across Riteish (Deshmukh) and asks for his help.

A fantasy adventure debut and then playing an alien in your second film, what’s with you?!

(Laughs like a kid) These are the roles coming my way! But then that is the nice part about being in this industry. Look at Amitji’s roles. He is playing a child, a genie and a god. Different kinds of roles just keep it interesting.

You are also the latest foreigner to hit Bollywood. Did you have any apprehensions?

The only thing that kind of scared me the most was whether I would be able to handle this!

What are you doing about your Hindi?

I am learning it!