Ileana's debut film 'Barfi' was appreciated by the audience as well as the critics. It has been a good year for the actress.
Ileana D' Cruz, who made her
Hindi film debut with "Barfi!", is considered the highest paid actress
in the southern film industry and says she gets what she deserves.
"I can't comment on that as I
have not seen anyone else's paychecks," Ileana told IANS when asked
about the highest paid actress tag.
"All I can say is I have worked
really hard for six years down south and the journey has not been easy
for me, so I feel what I get paid, I completely deserve that. Whenever I
read such news I enjoy all the attention," said the actress.
"I think any actor would be
lying if they say money doesn't matter and it's only the experience that
they enjoyed the most. I do care about money and want to make more. I
do respect my work and people want to pay me more for my work. It is
flattering but it's a huge responsibility to pull off a character," she
added.
The 25-year-old actress ventured
into movies in 2006 with Telugu film "Devadasu" and has since worked in
many Telugu and Tamil films. Though Ileana admits she is proud to be
associated with the southern film industry, right now her priority is
Bollywood.
"I don't plan anything and I
didn't even expect 'Barfi!' to come my way. I have done lot of films
down south and I am proud to be associated with them. If I get good
offers than I might think of doing some more south films but right now
my priority is Bollywood," she said.
Ileana has no qualms in donning a bikini for any film, but only if she feels she can pull it off well.
"As an actress if I have to wear
a bikini for a role I don't mind it but I need to workout for at least
six months before, to fit the bill. Then if I look comfortable and feel I
can pull it off then why not," she said.
Ileana D'Cruz refused to work in
"Wanted", the Hindi version of Telugu hit "Pokiri" and thus lost the
opportunity to romance Salman Khan on the big screen. Now she hopes to
get another chance to team up with the Bollywood star.
"Yes, I was approached for the
remake of 'Pokiri' in Tamil and Hindi. I did 'Pokiri' in Telugu, which
did a huge business. I didn't take the offer of 'Pokiri' in Hindi, which
was titled 'Wanted', as I felt I was not prepared enough to enter
Bollywood," the actress, who is now debuting in Bollywood with "Barfi!"
told IANS.
"It was not that I didn't want
to do the film, it's just that I didn't want to do it half-heartedly. I
missed an opportunity to work with Salman in 'Wanted'. But no regret as I
feel 'Barfi!' is the perfect launch for me. But I am really happy that
'Wanted' did well. I would love to work with Salman Khan in the near
future," she added.
In the 2006 hit Telugu film "Pokiri", she had teamed up with Mahesh. Puri Jagannadh directed it.
Ileana D'Cruz at the music launch of her first Bollywood film 'Barfi'.
