American actress Sarah Thompson, who debuts in Bollywood with Prakash Jha's Raajneeti says she wants to see herself doing more Hindi movies in the future.
“ I always wanted to travel to India. When I was approached by Prakash Jha for the film, I jumped at the offer,” Sarah said.
She recalls her three-hour long breakfast meeting with Jha in Los Angeles for the story narration a year ago.
“ I had done some research for my own knowledge on India and its politics. I had discussed politics, family and the differences between Indian and American political systems with Prakash and I was on board as Sarah, the American girlfriend of Ranbir Kapoor,” she said.
The 31- year- old actor refused to discuss her character in detail saying that she would not like to divulge any details except the fact that she follows Ranbir to India for love.
After Brazilian model Gisele Monteiro ( Love Aaj Kal ), Mexican actress Barbara Mori ( Kites ), British actresses Rachel Shelley ( Lagaan ) and Alice Patten ( Rang De Basanti ), Sarah is the latest foreign import in Bollywood.
And the actress is keen on working in more Bollywood movies in the future. “ I am in discussions with few directors and am keeping my fingers crossed,” she said when asked if more Bollywood movies were on the cards.
Sarah said her character in the film had a few lines in Hindi. “I speak English throughout because it goes with my character in the film,” she said.
The actress said comedies and dramas were her favourite genres, but she preferred good directors.
“ A good director can make a good movie of any genre,” she said.
And, for her, there is hardly any difference between the Indian film industry and Hollywood.
“ The working style is the same. I think directors have their final say regarding casting in India while in Hollywood it is producers and the studios,” she said.
Sarah said even though Americans do not like movies whose running time is too long, she loves singing and dancing in Hindi movies.
“ I have grown up watching musicals. So, I feel, singing, dancing and acting are the essential ingredients of a movie. I loved Lagaan and Kaminey . I also saw many of Prakash Jha's movies.” Sarah has already fallen in love with the people of India.
“ I have never experienced so much love and welcome on a film set like in Raajneeti ,” she signed off.
