“Don't refer to me as a Brazilian. I am at home in India. It's been two years since I came here,” says Gabriela Bertante. Her quaint accent gives away her origin but speak to her for a few minutes and you know that she's acquainted with the ways of the Indian entertainment industry. She walked the ramp for Lakme Fashion Week and won the Kingfisher Calendar Hunt 2011. The spot light was enough to get her noticed by filmmakers.
Puri Jagannadh has roped her to do a song in Devudu Chesina Manushulu and she will also be seen in Ajith's Tamil film Billa 2 . “I came to India on a modelling contract. I didn't come here expecting to become famous. I wanted to travel the country. But I am always ready to take up new opportunities,” she says. As the opportunities came knocking, Gabriela enrolled herself in Bollywood dance classes and is taking lessons to speak Hindi.
Gabriela played football in college. “I would play with the boys. My mom wanted me to do something more challenging and this is where I am,” she laughs. Talking about working for Puri's film, she says, “Everyone knows Puri and his work. He knows exactly what he wants from an actor. I came down to Hyderabad for two days to meet him and do a photo shoot. He gave me a few lines in Telugu to see if I could get it right. I have no reservations in dancing for a song. Be it modelling or dancing, I am a professional and will do what I am asked to do. Songs play a special part in Indian films. I recently watched Agneepath and Ek Mein Ekk Tu ,” she says.
The buzz is that the 21-year-old will also be acting in Puri's next film starring Pawan Kalyan. “It's too early to say anything,” she says. For the time being, it will be both modelling and films for her. “I've been away from my family. We talk regularly on Skype but I miss them. I am enjoying my work here and would love to stay in India for a longer time,” she adds.
Will the Brazilian succeed to connect with the audience? “I hope so. I'd like to work in both regional and Hindi films. I am even going to be doing a shoot for a sari store in Hyderabad,” she beams.
