 = Jacqueline Fernandez = 
 
 Jacqueline Fernandez ( born 11 August 1985 ) is a Sri Lankan actress , former model , and the winner of the 2006 Miss Universe Sri Lanka pageant . As Miss Universe Sri Lanka she represented her country at the 2006 world Miss Universe pageant . She graduated with a degree in mass communication from the University of Sydney , and worked as a television reporter in Sri Lanka . 
 While on a modelling assignment in India in 2009 , Fernandez successfully auditioned for <unk> <unk> 's fantasy drama <unk> , which marked her acting debut . Fernandez ' breakthrough role was in <unk> <unk> 's psychological thriller Murder 2 ( 2011 ) , her first commercial success . This was followed by glamorous roles in the ensemble @-@ comedy Housefull 2 ( 2012 ) and its sequel Housefull 3 , and the action thriller Race 2 ( 2013 ) , all of which were box @-@ office successes . Her performance in the first of these garnered her an IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination . In 2014 , Fernandez played the leading lady in Sajid Nadiadwala 's Kick , which is one of the highest @-@ grossing Bollywood films of all time . 
 One of the most popular actresses in India , she was the recipient of the IIFA Award for Star <unk> of the Year – Female in 2010 . Alongside her screen acting career , Fernandez has participated in stage shows , and is active in humanitarian work . 
 
 = = Early life and modeling career = = 
 
 Fernandez was born on 11 August 1985 , in <unk> , Bahrain , and was raised in a multi @-@ ethnic family . Her father , <unk> , is Sri Lankan , and her mother , Kim , is of Malaysian descent . Her grandfather , on her mother 's side of the family , is Canadian and her great grandparents were from <unk> , India . Her father , who was a musician in Sri Lanka , moved to Bahrain in the 1980s to escape civil unrest between the <unk> and <unk> and subsequently met her mother who was an air hostess . She is the youngest of four children with one elder sister and two elder brothers . She hosted television shows in Bahrain at the age of fourteen . After receiving her early education in Bahrain , she pursued a degree in mass communication from the University of Sydney in Australia . After graduating she worked as a television reporter in Sri Lanka . She also attended the <unk> school of languages , where she learnt Spanish and improved her French and Arabic . 
 According to Fernandez , she had aspired to become an actress at a young age and <unk> about becoming a Hollywood movie star . She received some training at the John School of Acting . Although , she was a television reporter , she accepted offers in the modeling industry , which came as a result of her pageant success . In 2006 , she was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Sri Lanka pageant and represented Sri Lanka at the world Miss Universe 2006 pageant held in Los Angeles . In a 2015 interview , Fernandez described the modeling industry as " a good training ground " and said : " It is a medium that is about shedding your <unk> , knowing your body , confidence " . In 2006 , she appeared in a music video for the song " O <unk> " by music duo <unk> and <unk> . 
 
 = = Acting career = = 
 
 
 = = = 2009 – 2013 = = = 
 
 In 2009 , Fernandez traveled to India for a modeling assignment . She studied acting under the <unk> of theatre director Barry John , and successfully auditioned for <unk> <unk> 's fantasy film <unk> ( 2009 ) her acting debut . She played the love interest of <unk> <unk> 's character , a role based on the Princess Jasmine character . Fernandez garnered mixed reviews for her performance . Anupama Chopra of NDTV called her a " plastic <unk> [ e ] " , and Rajeev Masand of CNN @-@ <unk> felt that she was : " easy on the eyes and appears confident but has precious little to do " . Although the film was a critical and commercial failure , she won the IIFA Award for Star <unk> of the Year - Female . 
 In 2010 , Fernandez appeared opposite <unk> in the science fiction romantic comedy <unk> <unk> Se <unk> Hai . She was cast as a girl from Venus , who lands on Earth in search of love . The film , along with Fernandez 's performance , received poor reviews ; Rediff.com 's <unk> <unk> noted : " She <unk> makes a fool of herself whilst <unk> the actions of movie stars , ranging from <unk> 's <unk> dance , <unk> <unk> 's <unk> <unk> moves , to Big B 's violent <unk> in Hum . Her Tara could be a keeper if only <unk> <unk> Se <unk> Hai wasn 't so intent on turning her into a love @-@ struck Barbie . " Critic Anupama Chopra also criticized Fernandez , calling her " a pin @-@ <unk> on a balloon " . Later that year , she made a cameo appearance in Sajid Khan 's Housefull in the song " <unk> " . 
 Mahesh <unk> 's thriller Murder 2 was Fernandez 's first commercial success and marker a turning point in her career . She took on the role of <unk> , a lonely model who is in a confused relationship with Arjun <unk> ( played by <unk> <unk> ) . Fernandez was praised for the her performance , and for the <unk> and sex appeal she displayed in the film . Gaurav Malini of The Times of India stated that she was " <unk> tempting " but noted that her romance with <unk> was " literally half @-@ baked " . The following year , Fernandez appeared in the ensemble comedy Housefull 2 alongside <unk> Kumar , John Abraham , and Asin . It became one of the top grossing productions of India that year and earned ₹ 1 @.@ 86 billion ( US $ 28 million ) worldwide . Fernandez received mostly negative reviews for her performance . While Gaurav Malini praised her for her looks , NDTV called her a " <unk> <unk> " who " find [ s ] no pleasure in [ her role ] " . Despite the negative reviews , Fernandez received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 14th IIFA Awards for her performance . 
 Fernandez 's first release of 2013 was Race 2 , an ensemble action thriller ( alongside <unk> Ali Khan , John Abraham , <unk> Padukone , <unk> <unk> , and <unk> Kapoor ) ) , described as the " cinematic equivalent of a <unk> novel " by critic Rajeev Masand . She played <unk> , a <unk> <unk> , a role which required her learn fencing and some <unk> . The film emerged as a commercial success , with the domestic gross of more than ₹ 1 billion ( US $ 15 million ) . In a particularly scathing review , <unk> <unk> of NDTV wrote that both Fernandez and Padukone " strut around like wound @-@ up automatons that are all <unk> @-@ up but have nowhere to go . " Fernandez also appeared in an item number ( music video ) titled " <unk> Ki <unk> " for Prabhu Deva 's <unk> <unk> <unk> . 
 
 = = = 2014 – present = = = 
 
 In 2014 , Fernandez appeared in Sajid Nadiadwala 's directorial debut — the action film Kick , a remake of a 2009 Telugu film of same name . She starred opposite Salman Khan , playing <unk> , a <unk> student . She retained her real voice for the first time in Kick . While <unk> May Francis commented that she is : " incredibly dazzling , and moves like a magic " , Raja <unk> of Rediff.com was more critical of her dialogue delivery , calling it " unfortunate . " The film received mixed reviews from critics , but with worldwide revenue of over ₹ 3 @.@ 75 billion ( US $ 56 million ) , it became the fourth highest @-@ grossing Bollywood film . The film established Fernandez as one of the most popular Bollywood actresses . 
 In 2015 , Fernandez featured in <unk> Singh 's Roy , a romantic thriller , which critic <unk> A. <unk> described as a " boring , exhausting and pretentious " film . Fernandez played dual roles , Ayesha <unk> , a filmmaker in a relationship with another filmmaker ( played by Arjun <unk> ) and <unk> <unk> , a girl in love with a thief ( played by <unk> Kapoor ) . While India TV called it " her best act till date " , critic Rajeev Masand felt that she " appears <unk> in a part that required greater range . " Roy failed to meet its box @-@ office expectations , and was a commercial failure . Later that year , she appeared in a guest appearance for the comedy @-@ satire <unk> . 
 Karan <unk> 's action drama Brothers was Fernandez 's next release . Co @-@ starring alongside <unk> Kumar and <unk> <unk> , Fernandez played Jenny , a fearless mother struggling for her child , a role which she described as " challenging " , " intense " , and " difficult " . The role marked a departure from the glamorous characters that she had a reputation for portraying . Film critics praised her performance , though their response to the film was mixed . <unk> Sharma of <unk> News called her character " soft , timid and promising " , and praised her for : " convincingly pull [ ing ] off a pleasing character of a street fighter 's wife " . Film critic Subhash K. Jha noted that she : " ... in a limited role gives her finest emotive shot " , while critic Raja <unk> remarked : " [ she ] plays Kumar 's long @-@ sobbing wife who gets so <unk> happy on seeing a text message that it may well have contained news about a Kick sequel . " 
 As of September 2015 , Fernandez has several projects in various stages of production . She has completed shooting for <unk> <unk> 's English @-@ Sri Lankan crime @-@ thriller According to <unk> , and the horror thriller Definition of Fear , which marks her Hollywood debut . Fernandez has also signed on to appear in three other projects — <unk> Dhawan 's <unk> opposite <unk> Dhawan and John Abraham as a part of three @-@ film deal with Nadiadwala <unk> Entertainment , <unk> D <unk> 's Flying <unk> opposite Tiger <unk> , and in an Indo @-@ Chinese film starring opposite <unk> <unk> , Amitabh Bachchan , and Jackie Chan titled Gold <unk> . 
 
 = = Personal life and other work = = 
 
 Fernandez shares a close bond with her family , and admits to missing being around them . She says : " I miss them so much everyday . You don 't realise when you live away from home how difficult life can be [ ... ] At the same time , staying away from them has taught me to be more responsible . It has taught me so many things about myself , about priorities and time management . " In March 2012 , Fernandez turned vegetarian for a 40 @-@ day period to observe <unk> , a period from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday . 
 In 2008 , Fernandez started dating <unk> prince Hassan bin Rashid Al <unk> , whom she met at a mutual friend 's party ; they separated in 2011 . While filming Housefull 2 in 2011 , Fernandez began a romantic relationship with director Sajid Khan . The relationship attracted media coverage in India and there was speculation of an impending wedding . However , the relationship ended in May 2013 . 
 In addition to acting in films , Fernandez has supported charitable organisations and a number of causes . In 2011 , on the behalf of People for the <unk> Treatment of Animals ( <unk> ) , she sent a letter to the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner asking for an end to horse @-@ drawn carriage rides in Mumbai . In early 2013 , she asked the <unk> general of the Philippines , William John T <unk> in Colombo , to hasten the transfer of an elephant from its inadequate housing at the Manila Zoo to a humane sanctuary . Later that year , she auctioned a breakfast in Mayfair , London , where she raised around £ 4000 for the <unk> <unk> , which helps children 's primary education . In 2014 , Fernandez was named " Woman Of The Year " by <unk> ( India ) for advocating the protection of animals . The following year , she auctioned her outfits on an online portal for a philanthropic cause . Some of her outfits included the ones she wore in the song " Party On My Mind " ( from Race 2 ) and " <unk> " ( from Kick ) . In March 2016 , she was part of " Jacqueline <unk> " campaign that raised funds for the victims of the 2015 South Indian floods . 
 Fernandez has participated in several concert tours and televised award ceremonies . In 2013 , she performed at the Temptations <unk> in Auckland , Perth , and Sydney alongside Shah <unk> Khan , <unk> <unk> , and <unk> <unk> . She also performed at the live talent show " Got Talent World Stage Live " with Khan , <unk> Chopra and <unk> Dhawan the following year . In July 2014 , Fernandez opened a restaurant in Colombo , <unk> Sutra , in collaboration with chef <unk> <unk> , which <unk> in contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine . 
 
 = = In the media = = 
 
 In the early 2013 , Fernandez became the ambassador for <unk> One , which she <unk> in India . She was the face of Indian <unk> Fashion Week — <unk> of 2013 . Later that year , she became the spokesperson for Gareth <unk> 's designed <unk> Diamonds in Mumbai , and was at the inaugural opening of the Forever 21 store in Mumbai . That year , she also launched <unk> <unk> System with <unk> Khan and <unk> Roy <unk> . While <unk> Fernandez 's career , India TV noted : " Slowly and steadily Jacqueline Fernandez is climbing up the ladder of success [ ... ] Jacqueline is comfortably grasping every aspect of the work , which an actress is required to do and is accordingly giving results . " On the contrary , <unk> Thakur of India Today criticized her acting skills , but remarked that : " [ she has ] managed to find her feet in Bollywood now by banking on glamorous roles " . 
 In 2008 and 2011 , Fernandez featured in the UK magazine Eastern Eye 's " World 's <unk> Asian Women " list , ranking twelfth . She was ranked third on The Times of India 's listing of the " Most <unk> Woman " in 2013 and 2014 , after being ranked eighth , seventh and fourteenth , respectively , in the preceding three years . In 2013 , Rediff.com placed her on their list of " Bollywood 's Best <unk> <unk> " . The following year , she held the sixty second position in the Indian edition of the Forbes ' Celebrity 100 , a list based on the income and popularity of India 's celebrities . She has been the cover model for many Indian editions of magazines , including : Vogue , <unk> , Maxim , Cosmopolitan , <unk> , Elle , <unk> , Harper 's <unk> , Women 's Health , and L <unk> among others . 
 
 = = Filmography = = 
 
 
 = = TV Appearances = = 
 
 
 = = Awards = = 
 
 
 