Everyone’s curious about you.

Okay, I’ll tell you all the details. I was born in a small state in Brazil called Espirito Santo. I’m 20. I started modelling when I was 16 and have travelled to Germany, Singapore, Thailand, France and Italy for work. I came to India to pursue modelling as well, but bagged a film instead.

Why did you come to India?

The glamour industry in India is popular throughout the world. Plus, everywhere I went, people kept telling me that I looked Indian. That got me more and more curious. They must have been right because the first role I got was of an Indian girl.

Thousands of girls walk into Mumbai with Bollywood dreams. Was it a tough struggle for you?

I have to say I was very lucky. I got the role just 20 days after landing in the city. In fact, I had not even started doing the audition rounds; I was only looking for a photographer to get my portfolio clicked. Then I met the photographer Farrokh Chothia and he told me that Imtiaz Ali was looking for foreigners for his new film. I met Ali for the role of Jo (Saif’s foreign girlfriend), but Ali’s wife said I was Harleen Kaur.

Had you seen any Bollywood films?

No, but I was made to watch films after I got selected. I loved Jab We Met and Parineeta. I also saw some films of Aamir Khan and he’s my favourite Bollywood actor. I hope I get to work with him.

... contd.