She could well be the next Katrina Kaif. Or at least her career graph suggests so. Have you met 26-year-old Saidah Jules, the latest import to Bollywood? Of Russian origin, the young model came to India out of her love for the country and also to make it big in the Indian film industry. After a couple of appearances in movies and a host of advertisements , the young artiste has finally landed herself a lead role. “Called ‘Jal', the film is being directed by Girish Malik,” says an excited Saidah. She portrays the role of a foreigner who visits the Rann of Kutch to research on birds. A globetrotter, she met Girish Malik while she was in London. “He just called me and offered me the role.”
Speaking about her experience in front of the camera, the Russian beauty says, “I had to shoot in the desert where the mercury levels touched 47 degrees. When people watch a movie it looks lovely, but they often don't realise the amount of hard work that goes into it.” After a pause she adds laughing, “Acting is for strong people!”
Saidah says she enjoys travelling. “During my childhood I used to visit India on holidays. I love Indian culture, clothes, food, fashion and dance. In ‘Jal' I have tried my hand at Bollywood dance style.”
So, what are her future plans? “I have a couple of offers in hand. I am open to doing different kinds of roles except titillating ones. Sometimes people think just because I am a foreigner they can offer me such roles. But I am not interested,” she says firmly. The actor has quite a wish list of directors she wants to work with. “Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aamir Khan, Anurag Kashyap, Madhur Bhandarkar, Rajkumar Hirani...there are so many of them and such good directors!”
For now, she is eagerly awaiting the release of “Jal” that is expected to hit the screens by the end of the year and is also honing her Hindi and Bollywood dance skills.
Published - August 21, 2011 05:00 pm IST
