Barbara,with love

The joy is visible on her face when we meet her at Oakwood Premium in Juhu,her temporary residence in Mumbai. Dressed in a summery white tube dress,with curls brushing against her face,she is most delighted about giving an interview in English. “When I started off with Kites,I spoke very few words in English. Now I speak a lot better,” she says,making a mention of her character who speaks English and Spanish in the film. “I play a Spanish girl from a huge family,who travels to Las Vegas to earn money. She then meets a rich guy and thinks she is in love with him. But later finds out that true love lies somewhere else,and she has to choose between money and love,” says the pretty actress,who first came to India two years back to meet the entire Roshan clan.

Mori,who lived all her life in Mexico,was aware of the Hindi film industry but didn’t know much about the actors and filmmakers. “When I told my friends that I have been offered a Bollywood movie,they were very excited. But I was worried about speaking in Hindi. I was also worried about singing and dancing,which I knew was huge in Bollywood,” says Mori. She eventually had to shake her leg in the film. But unfortunately the audience won’t have a chance to see it. “It’s been edited out of the film for some reason and I am so happy about it,” she says gleefully.

While basking in the limelight seems to be a favourite with Bollywood actors,Mori seems quite untouched by the adulation. All she has to say is “All this attention is good for the movie,no?” And to top it all she has thousands of Indian fans on Twitter,even before the movie’s release. “It is crazy,but nice,” she says of Indians who have really bowled her over. “I hate Indian food,because it is too spicy,but the people are so warm and friendly here.” And a recent act of hospitality was witnessed by her at Shah Rukh Khan’s residence,where she went along with Suzanne Roshan. “Suzanne wanted me to meet all her friends in the industry. There was some cricket match that was going on. And after the match,we partied,” she says,slightly confused about the status cricket enjoys in India.

With all the love and admiration that India has showered on her,she is no longer averse to Bollywood. “I first have a film to complete in Venezuela. Then I have an offer from here. If things work out,I will back in January,” she says. And will she have to learn Hindi for her next? “No,this one does not require Hindi. But if I have to,I am open to it,” she says. But for now,if anyone attempts to speak to her in Hindi,she has just two words,“Tu Ch***a”.