Big league means big controversies, says Jacqueline Fernandez

After her recent string of films with Bollywood biggies, Jacqueline Fernandez has sure climbed the ladder of success. Talking about how life has changed after entering the league of big actresses, the 32-year-old says, “It is definitely more challenging. With success, you get a lot more responsibility and a lot more pressure. I remember there was a time when I was not that famous, when I was just getting by, there was not much pressure from my fans or producers or directors. But now, there is more responsibility; so that is daunting. Also, I think what probably has changed after I entered the big league is the caution aspect of it. When you are in the limelight and you are a celebrity, there is a major need to stay cautious all the time. During the pre-celebrity time, you are not really cautious but now we really have to watch our own back.”

The Kick actress adds that she also has to constantly be wary of what she says in public. “Things get so fabricated. Because you are in the limelight, people do target you. It is all the more important to be cautious of people like that. As much as there is a positive side to being famous, there is also a dark side to it. You are continuously in people’s eyes. There is definitely room for a lot of negativity that can come your way without you expecting it or asking for it. Big league means big controversies,” she adds.

It then comes as no surprise that Jacqueline chooses to remain mum about the Harvey Weinsteins of Bollywood — something that Priyanka Chopra had come forward to talk about. “I wouldn’t like to comment. I have not come across anything like that, so it is difficult for me to comment on it. Also, this is not the right platform,” she says.

Right from Aladdin to her last release Judwaa 2, Jacqueline has spent nearly eight years in the industry thus far. Talking about her learnings and experiences on the way, the actress shares, “I think the lesson is to really believe in yourself and be confident about your skills. One very important thing is to always have a great time doing what you do. You spend three quarters of your life working and if it is not bringing you any kind of pleasure, if it is not making you enjoy what you are doing in life, then there is no use of doing it. I always try to enjoy every second of my career and if I am not enjoying it, then I am doing something wrong, and I try to change the space that I am in right then.”

Despite living every moment of her life to the fullest, Jacqueline, however, feels that she hasn’t tapped her full potential yet. “A filmmaker can only take you to a certain level, after which you, kind of, have to take yourself further. It is a gradual process and I am pleased with the way it is going and I know that I can take it further; I am actually on that path. But, at the same time, I am very happy with the commercial cinema that I do. I know that people would argue with me about this but there is so much room for an actress to grow even in commercial cinema as well,” she explains.

On days when she wants to take a break from reel life, Jacqueline likes to rest at home, spend time with her cat and cook with her friends. “I do things which I find very therapeutic. Like cooking and having a meal with my friends. It brings you back to normalcy, which I find is very important. Currently, I am learning how to play the piano,” she says.

Jacqueline goes on to tell us what a typical day in her busy life looks like. “Every day is very different — either you are shooting a movie, or you are attending an event, or you are travelling, promoting, or you are just in a day full of meetings. I wake up in the morning, feed my cat, meditate and exercise. I meditate every day because it taps into a side of you that needs to be calm and focus on the task at hand and the day ahead of you. Then I work out early in the morning to get it out of the way because our days go way into the night,” she shares.

On a concluding note, Jacqueline reveals that Bollywood is her priority right now, and when the time is right, she would probably look towards Hollywood.