H'wood calling: Model-turned-actor Tena Desae talks about bagging a Hollywood film, opposite actor Dev Patel

Her name may not a ring a bell, instantly, but she is a household face for sure. After all, actor Tena Desae — who is one of the newest entrants in Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) — has more than 40 commercials to her credit. And though the model-turned-actor has not had a single release here yet, Tena may well be on her way to becoming an international star. Having bagged a vital role in the John Madden directed Hollywood film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the actor is already testing Hollywood waters with a film that co-stars Oscar-winner Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and has her romancing the Slumdog Millionaire actor, Dev Patel. Having already shot for several portions of the film with Dev, Tena reveals that it's hard to compare working in Hi-Fi and Hollywood.
"For me, the entire experience of shooting in itself was so new that it's hard to say if I had more fun shooting for my Hindi films or the English one," says Tena.


Talking about working with Dev, she adds, "He is very unassuming and has no airs about being the Slumdog hero at all. We bonded well, because we are closer in age." But ask her about the chemistry she shared with the actor and she says, "For that you'll just have to watch the film. I can't divulge much about the characters."

Back in Hi-Fi, the actor will be seen in Yeh Faasley and Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene. Both films, Tena points out, are very different from each other. "And that's the kind of repertoire I would want to have, exploring different genres and I am not afraid to experiment," she says revealing that she has no planned career moves at all.

However, she does have a wish-list of actors and film-makers she'd like to work with. "And it's a long one too," she laughs. "Of course Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan top the list," she says. Incidentally, she has acted with them in commercials. "Yes, but no actor's graph is ever complete without working with them. That would be more exciting than any Hollywood film," says the actor, who has no qualms in admitting that modelling was a stepping stone to films.
"I believe in dreaming big. I also believe in the mantra that 'When you want something badly enough, the universe conspires for you to get it'. And I think it's just worked for me," she concludes.
Source:DNA