Supermodel-actor Elena Fernandes, who made a striking debut with Karan Johar’s Kapoor & Sons, is perturbed with internet trolls and the extent to which people gets offensive on her social media accounts including Facebook and Twitter.
“One thing I can’t stand is internet trolls,” reveals Elena as it happens with her all the time, elaborating, “It’s a form of bullying and one does it while hiding behind a computer screen. I was once called a horrible skinny bitch on Instagram. I don’t tolerate people writing disgusting comments on my posts. It frustrates me and needs to be nipped in the bud.”
Angered at those who attack sensitive girls with negative and abusive comments leading to suicides, Elena further adds, “I feel these people must be so sad in order to say such derogatory comments about people they don’t even know. I hope they know it.”
While for most models, career in films is a natural progression, Elena says she had no dream of becoming a model. “I didn’t know anything about fashion. I am from an academic background. It all started from TV commercials and then ramp, followed by acting. Today after Kapoor & Sons, people take more interest in me and they know I can act too.”
The gorgeous actress never anticipated about getting the opportunity to share screen space with Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt in her debut film. “Honestly, I didn’t even know my scene will be alongside Fawad and after I acted with him, so many people, who fancy him, would be jealous of me. Even today I have to pinch myself to believe that I have worked in a film with him. He’s such a humble guy and kept giving me guidance and advice,” she says.
On maintaining the fine balance between two different cultures, that of India and New York, she says, “The ideology of Indians is still developing when it comes to accepting things like nudity and stripping. They are not fully there as yet. It’s a big cultural issue that will take time to evolve. I feel culture is the prime difference in both the cities. Mumbai is full of life whereas NYC can be quite surreal at times.”
“The goal is to get bigger and better Bollywood films. Work with more experience directors and be a part of a Bollywood blockbuster,” she concludes.
