India's newest import Giselli Monteiro

 Whereas many Bollywood actresses would jump at the opportunity to get some exposure in Hollywood, there are beauties from other continents who prefer recognition on the Indian film circuit. And the latest to bite the Bollywood bait, albeit unintentionally, is the timid Brazilian beauty Giselli Monteiro.

In her heavily accented voice, she pauses and ponders as she chooses the right words to narrate her fairytale-like Bollywood story. Although most artists struggle to find a slot in B-town, Giselli effortlessly sashayed her way through. "Bollywood just happened to me. I came to India to look for modelling projects, and within 20 days I found myself auditioning for filmmaker Imtiaz's movie. And before I knew it, I was chosen to play a big role," she says.

Despite having no formal training in acting, fate found Giselli a place in Ali's Love Aaj Kal. Though she auditioned for the role of Jo, a trendy woman in love with the younger Saif Ali Khan, it was the more traditional Punjabi girl Harleen that won Giselli her Bollywood break. "I was supposed to play Jo, but Imtiaz's wife felt I fitted the role of Harleen better. I took the opportunity, not realising how big this film was going to be. I just went ahead and gave it my best shot."

When Ali decided to keep Harleen from the prying media glare until the film's final release, no one imagined he'd unveil a face that was non-Indian, let alone Brazilian. It was a promotion stunt which gave her an almost equal footing with other Bollywood stars like Saif and Deepika Padukone. "Yes, it was Imtiaz's idea (to keep me away from the media) and it worked well," she adds.

Although she was encouraged to travel to India for a career in modelling, it's Bollywood that's prompting her to stay behind and make Mumbai her new home. "I plan to move here. Once I renew my visa, I will bring my mom and stay on," she says.

Her Bollywood stint has inspired her to pursue an acting career. "It was while working in Love Aaj Kal that I discovered I could act. It was something I didn't know I could do. I believe everything happens for a reason and I think this is a great opportunity that has come my way." To play Ali's Harleen, Giselli left no stone unturned. She worked hard on mastering Hindi and Bollywood twists and turns.

"I even watched a few movies from the 1960s, especially those of Sharmila Tagore. Apart from that, I was just following what Imtiaz was telling me. He would translate Harleen's lines and explain each scene in depth so that I could understand the character. I also travelled a lot. I went to many major cities in Punjab to understand Harleen." Her language and dance classes continue to take up her time, portraying her determination to make it big in B-town. "It's been really hard because Hindi is very different from Portuguese or Latin or Italian. Even Indian dance moves are very different, so I've had to take classes."

And it's not often that one's debut film involves sharing screen space with senior actors like Saif, so Giselli was pleasantly surprised by his charming ways. "I couldn't understand a word of what he was saying during the filming so his expression was my only cue. I just had to base everything on it. He's a great actor and a well-spoken guy."

And while Bollywood continues be at the top of her priority list, with Giselli looking into scripts at the moment, she has been walking the ramp as well. "I was the show-stopper for Ritu Kumar at the Kolkata Fashion Week recently. But apart from that, I haven't done any other modelling projects so far." She's quick to point out that modelling will continue to entice her.

"I think I can do both. Modelling has been my dream since I was very young. My first fashion show was when I was six years old so it's like a dream for me."

This Brazilian lady is not alone in her move to India. She's part of a tiny exclusive club with faces like Czech-model Yana, English actress Rachel Shelley (Lagaan) and Antonia Bernath (Kisna), who've taken a liking to Bollywood. "A lot of people have told me that I look Indian. Even my father used to tell me that I look Indian. So when I heard so much about the country, I was curious to experience it."

Having travelled to various cities for her modelling assignments, Giselli's folks didn't get an anxiety attack when she announced her decision to move to India. "I've been travelling a lot for my modelling work, so my parents were used to the idea of me living in a foreign country. India is so vibrant that they were actually very excited for me."

And within months of moving to Mumbai and hitting the Bollywood jackpot, the lady has already formed a bond with the city. "Right now, India means home. I've learnt to love this place. Everything happened so fast. For three years I worked so hard, travelling from country to country, hoping to find a slot in the glamour world. And the minute I landed in India, everything fell into place."

It's a place she finds culturally different from Brazil, but the warmth it exudes is similar. "Everything is different from Brazil, from the way people live to the food they eat. But at the same time, everybody is so warm. Even though I live alone, I don't feel lonely because I've made some really good friends here."

It's interesting to note that her exposure to India was extremely limited before she moved there. "If you don't travel to India you can't form an opinion about it. It's a place with so much passion... it's just incredible."

Having won over a large media chunk so early in her career, Giselli is hoping that her lucky run in Bollywood will continue forever. With destiny playing an important role in her life, we can't see where she'd go wrong!

Giselle’s indian picks

Indian movie I haven't seen many, but from what I have seen I've liked Jab We Met. I thought it was a very interesting movie.

Indian actor It's got to be Aamir Khan! I've seen two of his movies and I fell in love with his acting.

Indian dish Rajma Chawal!

Indian city I think Pune is the most beautiful city.

Indian designer Ritu Kumar. She enhances the beauty of Indian clothes.