Giselli Monteiro strikes a pose at Plush in an Abhishek Dutta outfit. Make-up by Kaushik Banerjee and Rajat. Picture by Pabitra Das

In town for a fashion fiesta presented by t2 and Seagram’s Blenders Pride, Brazilian-model-turned actress Giselli ‘Harleen Kaur’ Monteiro posed for our shutterbugs exclusively. Later she took time out for a candid chat…

Has Love Aaj Kal changed your life? How?

In every possible way! I stay in India. That’s a big thing. Before I used to travel a lot and stay for two or three months in each country. Since I got into movies and Love Aaj Kal was so good to me, I decided to stay back and try more acting.

Why Bollywood?

It happened to me and I am happy. I don’t think I chose Bollywood, Bollywood chose me! It is a great experience. I am working harder every day and learning a lot. I talk to Imtiaz (Ali, the director of Love Aaj Kal) whenever I can. I learned so much from him. So, it is always good listening to him. He said I should try. And coming from him, it was good feedback for me.

How did Love Aaj Kal happen?

When I first came to India, I was modelling and I met the fashion director of Vogue India (Anaita Shroff Adajania) and she was doing the styling for Love Aaj Kal. That’s how I met Imtiaz. I was supposed to play the Caucasian girl (Saif’s girlfriend). I related to Harleen somehow. I am very shy, so we have similarities. But I can talk!

I was playing the character of an Indian girl from the 1960s. Imtiaz was always there. He did not make a step scary for me. He was always there explaining the whole thing and making things sound simple and beautiful.

How was it working with Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone?

I loved working with Saif. He always spoke to me like he wanted to teach me. I found that really sweet because when I first came here, I did not know anyone. Deepika and I have met twice. Sweet girl!

Did you ever think you would become an actress? And what are your upcoming projects?

Not really! I just finished shooting for Always Kabhi Kabhi with Red Chillies. It is a very fresh film. The actors are newcomers. They are adorable. I haven’t met SRK but I watched the whole of My Name Is Khan in Hindi and I cried like a baby! It is so funny because I was sitting with my friend and she was like, “Hello! Why are you crying? This is Hindi”. It was just perfect. For me it was so beautiful.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood…

I come from a small island (in Brazil). It doesn’t have much but the beach. It is just 32 kilometres of beach. It is a quiet place and we live in a big house. I have two brothers. I never behaved really like a girl (laughs). I used to come home dirty after playing football on the streets! I finished high school and started travelling when I was 17. Modelling happened so I did not really have the chance to go back to university. My life is cool.

How did modelling happen?

I have modelled around the world. I have always wanted to be a model because I was the skinniest and tallest in the class and people used to tell me that I could be a model. So, I wanted to try. It was like a dream. I tried with many different agencies and one day it worked out.

I have walked in Paris for Louis Vuitton, Christian Lacroix and Christian Dior. I have done three-four fashion shows a day. But I enjoyed it a lot so it did not feel like I was working. I was doing what I loved. I was making my own money and making my parents proud. Everything just went in a flow.

What is your style motto?

Be yourself and dress according to the mood.

Favourite silhouette…

I have just come back from a holiday. So right now it’s quite casual — T-shirts and jeans.

Favourite red carpet designer…

Morena Rosa, a Brazilian brand. My wardrobe is full of this one. Also Prada, Ritu Kumar and Rohit Bal.

Favourite denim brand…

Guess.

What kind of a shopper are you…

I really don’t plan. If I have the time and I am in a mall and if I like something, I’ll buy.

Favourite place…

Philippines.