Interview: Bruna Abdulla
By: Simran Mody, India Correspondent
A few years ago, Yash Raj Films ventured out to Rio Di Janeiro to film Dhoom 2. It was the first time Bollywood had produced a film in Brazil. It would appear that Yash Chopra’s goodwill campaign paid off in a form of talent reciprocity, as Brazilian model Bruna Abdulla has found a new home in Hindi cinema. The former model-turned-video-jockey-turned-reality-show-star is now adding one more “turn” to her repertoire, as Bruna, 23, earned her big Bollywood break in last week’s release of I Hate Luv Storys, which was produced by Karan Johar and Dharma Productions, directed by Punit Malhotra, and starring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
To think she never planned on landing a significant supporting role in a Bollywood film…
“When I packed my bags for Mumbai, all I knew was that I wanted to be a model. Not even in my faintest dreams had I dreamt about grabbing a role in such a big project,” she said in a recent interview with the press. “I just don’t know exactly how I am here, but I guess it was destined.”
It was a destiny that started with humble beginnings. When she arrived in Mumbai, Bruna kicked off her career in front of the camera as a VJ, hosting the Channel V program India’s Hottest. She then moved up to performing in the item-song “Rahem Kare” in Cash before being offered a role in I Hate Luv Storys by Punit Malhotra. The subsequent meeting was unlike anything she ever expected.
“When I went to meet Punit, I was nervous because I was expecting someone senior to me,” she confessed. “But I got the shock of my life when I saw a very young lad dressed in a funky T-shirt, rugged jeans, and sneakers.”
Perhaps adding to those nerves was her limited command of the Hindi language. After all, she was born and raised in Brazil, where Portuguese and English are readily spoken ahead of India’s primary tongue. Then again, perhaps Bruna is a fast learner, and she better be if she expects to have a prolonged cinematic career in India’s largest film industry.
Thankfully, she says she is making every effort to learn, teaching herself the language by actively listening to Bollywood songs and frequently watching Hindi movies — with subtitle assistance, presumably.
“At the audition, Punit gave me a script. He wanted me to deliver the dialogues in Hindi,” she shared. “I requested him to give me a day to rehearse so I can give my best shot. I understand the language, but speaking was difficult. When I had come to India, I couldn’t understand the language. Everything sounded the same to me. But I can proudly say that I am learning, and it is going to be much better in coming years.”
She definitely hopes her Hindi gets better with time, as she is indeed hoping for a long-lasting career in Bollywood.
“Right now I am enjoying every moment of it. I am a very shy person, and when I saw myself on the big screen for the first time, I felt good, and I hope that people do like me in it. I don’t know exactly what’s next after this, but I just hope there is something nice in store for me.”
