SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 (PAGE 4) BOLLYWOOD-BUZZ PERSONALITY I did not know anything about fashion, film: Elena "Sushil Kumar would be a good Supermodel-actress Elena Fernandes, who How was your photo-shoot expe- made her Bollywood debut with Karan Johar's rience with Emraan Hashmi for Kapoor & Sons, believes that one can find best FHM India? addition to the WWE roster" friends in the Bollywood industry but it takes a Emraan is so sweet and genuine. It lot of filtering as everyone is a competitor. was incredible how he transformed As part of WWE's Jaideep Pandey in a tete-e-tete with the law into the joker. I literally could not graduate, who is currently reading scripts stop staring at him. It was such a extension programme, and is excited for the opportunities that are unique photo shoot, so to be part of coming her way that collaboration was very special. WWE superstar Sheamus Turning point in your Excerpts: toured India recently. From modelling to acting, how hard was career? the transition? From a fashion point shooting Sudipto Maity caught up I was lucky that it was quite a natural transition. my first editorial for Vogue India in I had peaked as a supermodel, whereby in a way you Bali with Anaita and Edward was a with the athlete regarding real turning point in my career. are acting, as, as a model your body language has to This led to a campaign across speak a story in print. This led to being cast in more Sushil Kumar, India and America for Adidas Originals. What tv commercials, which led me to Dharma. has taken my career to the next level his love for wrestling. How was it sharing the screen-space has to be my debut in Kapoor and Excerpts: with Fawad Khan? Did it make you Sons. Why did you choose Sheamus nervous? How real is casting- as your present ring name? There are around 200 people surround- cough in the industry? ing you, and Fawad Khan in front of you, so Sheamus is a very Irish name. It is I think in every industry simple and well known and it fits my many cameras surrounding you and the director there are whispers of a casting staring at you. I don't think the word nervous couch type situation but I character and my look more than any- covers it. Haha. To be honest Fawad and have been fortunate to never thing else. Shakun made me feel really calm and relaxed, have experienced it. I have a Do you reckon this to be the and encouraged me to become the character great team behind me that sup- most exciting time for the WWE? and to block everything out. Fawad is a true port and manage my career. I I think it is. We have an amazing professional and so sweet and patient. have just realised they are roster of WWE Superstars. We have a Was becoming a supermodel-actress your dream actually all strong independ- lot of Pay-Per-Views and so much con- from the day one? ent women. There is my international manager Jennifer No I have always been a super geek at heart. I still am. I tent on the WWE Network. We have the Powell from Next Models, my PR team, Rohini, Sonia and cruiserweights there and some of the actually did not know anything about fashion or film. I was Kubra, as well as my Indian manager Sameera. A group of scouted and it's been a learning experience. I have always strong fearless independent women, who have helped me greatest athletes and performers in the been more of a tomboy so supermodel-actress never crossed achieve where I am today. ring with amazing storylines. We’re my mind. I wanted to be an astronaut. Can we also expect Elena on small screens in constantly pushing boundaries and What drew you towards Kapoor & Sons. future? thinking outside the box, doing things All I knew was that I was being chosen for a Dharma film Yes you can. I am currently reading scripts and excited for that have never been done before. For heart was always into wrestling. If not can say, I’d rather be watching a reality and that Shakun Batra was the director. I was given several the opportunities that are coming my way. example, me and Cesaro doing the for wrestling, I’d love to act or get more show and I do not like reality shows. scripts to read and then told we will be in touch. Then the Who's your idol when it comes to acting in B- Facebook Live during the match. That into the world of fitness. I’m very well Do you follow Cricket? Who's phone call came, and a meeting with Shakun and I screamed Town. has never been done before. informed with different diets and work- your favourite cricketer? with happiness. The enormity of the cast coupled with the I love Priyanka Chopra and I am in awe and inspired by her outs that work for your body so I’d like I haven’t watched any cricket. My beauty of the film made me feel so lucky to be involved with a How close are you with the transition into Hollywood. She is truly inspirational. other superstars? to get into that. It could be coaching schedule at WWE is really busy. worldwide release. What kind of a man would fascinate you? The Best Thing about B-Town. I’m close to a lot of people but I usu- people, helping them train, creating Have you picked up any Hindi I like men that are down to earth and are not arrogant. I The characters you meet. It's amazing meeting someone new diets, or even creating new work- words/phrases yet? love someone with depth who wants to learn and broaden his ally keep to myself. I share a cordial that you have watched in film such as Anil Kapoor. It doesn't friendship with Titus O’Neil and outs. But those are the two spaces I’d I’ve learnt how to say ‘Namaste’ seem real. It really is like one big bubble. imagination. like to be in. while greeting people here. Do you feel that Pakistani artists should be made Darren Young. Curtis Axel is a good Of Alia, Siddharth and Fawad, who was the friend- friend of mind. But at the end of the day You were into rugby, singing How's the trip so far? What did liest? to leave the country? all of us at WWE are a family and we all and even worked as a body guard, you make of the food here? I would have to say Fawad, as I spent most of my time with It does not deal with the root of the issue which is between governments. It does not achieve anything. The root of the look out for each other. tell me, how did wrestling hap- My visit to India has been amazing him. But they're all incredible people. pen? Did it come to you naturally? so far. It has been one of the greatest What's your take on Alia Bhatt as an actor? problem has to be dealt with and that is something only the How close are you with Alberto She is absolutely phenomenal and so versatile. I admire governments can sort out. Asking a talent to leave does not Del Rio? Do you think his depar- I grew up loving entertainment, trips I’ve been on so far and has been her dedication and passion to really delivering the character. solve anything and it is quite sad to be honest. You cant label ture from the WWE was justified? movies and wrestling and things like absolutely unbelievable. I was in Jaipur 'There are no Best Friends in any industry'. Your or criminalise people because of their nationality because of I don’t know anything about his that. I day dreamed about being the and visited the Royal family at City take on this? the criminal actions of a few. departure from WWE and haven’t spo- center of attention and the hero. I did Palace, got a welcome fit for a King. Got I have grown up with my best friends and have made more So, after the K&S success, what's next on the map? ken to him in the recent past, but we are not want to be an average joe, I wanted a VIP tour of the palace and got to see along the journey. You can find best friends in the industry A lot is happening in terms of new projects and you will close from the League of Nations. I’ve to be larger than life. I saw the older the beautiful city of Jaipur from the top but it takes a lot of filtering. Everyone is a competitor. soon see. I am very excited. (TWF/IBNS) had some great matches with Del Rio members in my family struggling to go of the palace. I saw some amazing to work because they did not like their sights and culture at the palace. I think and some great feuds over the years. I HEALTHLINES jobs and I did not want that to be the there so much of history and rich cul- don’t know anything about what has case with me. I wanted to do something ture preserved in India in a time when happened since he parted ways with that nobody else did and a job that I everybody is discarding or disregarding WWE.