Mumbai: She has had quite an illustrious career in the South film industry and now, Ileana D’cruz hopes to repeat the magic in Bollywood too. Her first Hindi film, Barfi, is what dream debuts are made of. From box office glory to awards, Ileana had everything. Her next film, Phata Poster Nikla Hero couldn’t repeat that success. Now Ileana is pinning her hopes on her next release Main Tera Hero.
It would appear that by signing a film like Phata Poster… and Main Tera Hero, Ileana has been trying to come out of her sari-clad avatar in Barfi. “Commercial films can be interesting too, if the role offered to you is good.” The actress has no qualms about skin-show either. “If a role requires me to wear a bikini, then yes, why not? I don’t have any such inhibitions. I would only make sure that I tone my body well before I face the camera,” she says.
Of late, the actress has been spotted in B-town parties, networking with the top guns of the film industry. There was some news about Salman Khan recommending her name for Sooraj Barjatya’s next directorial venture. “I don’t think I’m going out of my way to be friends with anyone. I don’t need to spread rumours about me doing any film. If there was a speculation, it must’ve come from the concerned people. I’m here to work. Why just Salman? I want to work with every big name in the industry. If they do have an apt role for me and if the deal works out, I’d be ecstatic,” she says.
Illeana, who is said to be good friends with co-stars Ranbir and Shahid, is now bonding big time with her current co-star Nargis Fakhri. “We have spent a lot of time shooting together. I can really relate to her. As of now, we’re constantly in touch as we are travelling together for the promotions of our film. I hope we can sustain our friendship even after this film gets over. I have always valued my friends, irrespective of what professions they are in.”
In Bollywood, friendships are often known to fizzle out due to the cutthroat competition. “Equations will sour if the friendship is need-based. I don’t make friends thinking about how I will benefit from them. For me, you are either a friend or you’re not. Simple life simple equations – that’s what I always endorse,” Ileana says.
There are loud whispers in the industry that the actress has been dating a foreigner named Andrew, who she has been spotted with often. “I think that’s something for my family and me to know. Once I decide to marry, I will talk about it. For now I’d rather let the focus remain on my films.” Ask her if she admires any celebrity couple and she says that Saif and Kareena’s marriage has had a huge influence on her and she believes they are ideal for each other. “Saif is a thorough gentleman and Kareena is classy. They are made for each other, so much in love. They are ideal for each other, one of the best couples I know,” Ileana says.
Ileana’s sweet on-screen image is not very different from the real Ileana. She reveals that her former co-star Shahid Kapoor called her a “housewife” and her current leading man in Main Tera Hero, Varun Dhawan, calls her “mommy”. She says with a laugh, “I’m not your typical party person. Whenever I have some free time, I prefer spending it cleaning my home and decorating it. I’m quite a cleanliness freak and it is also important for me that everyone around me is happy. I end up looking after people ever so often, that it makes my co-stars assign these tags to me.”
The actress, who is one of the biggest names in the South and is slowing gaining her ground in Bollywood, is said to command a hefty fee. “I had to work hard to be where I am today. I made it on my own. I don’t want to talk about the money but I do feel I deserve what I earn and I’m proud to say that,” she says.
