There has to be more to a film role than just exposure: Hazel

New Delhi, Jun 3 (UNI) With her hazel eyes, her broken Hindi accent and her alabaster complexion, this young beauty would hardly seem to fit the image of an archetypical Hindi film heroine.

So, it is with some circumspection that one greets the Bollywood debut of London-based model Hazel, as the leading lady in 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar', a ''sugary sweet romance'' about the freshness of "first love".

However, for Hazel, who landed in the tinsel town about three years ago to make it as an actor in Hindi films, establishing herself in Bollywood is a dream she is determined to realize.

''Ever since I was a child, I have been in love with Bollywood films. Which is why making it as an actor in Hindi films has been an overriding passion since childhood.

So, three years ago, I came all the way from London to settle down in Mumbai to pursue a career in acting,''Hazel, whose debut film releases on June 8, told UNI.

Ever since her arrival in India Hazel, who bears a striking resemblence to Czech beauty Yana Gupta, has done several ads including Nokia, Lays, Sunsilk and Ponds while biding her time for roles in Hindi films. Among her prominent ad films are the Lays ad with Saif Ali Khan and LML ad with Shah Rukh Khan.

Her passion for Hindi films has led Hazel to obtain training in disciplines like dancing, a prerequisite for a newcomer to establish herself in Bollywood.

She has been training herself in various styles of dancing.

''I am a trained dancer. I had already studied Salsa, Bharat Natyam and belly dancing and am now learning Kathak to prepare myself for a career in Hindi films. Also, to improve my Hindi, I have undergone a 5 week workshop to prepare myself for my role in this film. Though, I have yet to speak flawless Hindi, I can speak the language much better than when I started shooting for the film,''Hazel said.

In 'Mere Pehla Pehla Pyar', Hazel plays the role of Ayesha, who has come down from London in search of her true love.

''Ayesha is a shy, timid girl who is not quite sure of herself. I can relate a lot to the character of Ayesha because I know what it is like to have a crush. Infact, at Ayesha's age, I was a lot like her,''she said.

Hazel feels 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar' is the perfect Bollywood debut for her. ''It is a very good first film. What is good about 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pehla Pyar' is that it is a clean, simple film about the freshness of first love that one can watch with one's entire family,''she said.

Among her favourite actresses in Bollywood is Aishwarya Rai.

''I would love to do the kind of dancing roles assayed in recent years by former Miss World Aishwarya Rai,''she said.

She may have embarked on a career in Bollywood but Hazel is pretty clear that kissing and exposing are ''big no no'' for her.

''My being a foreigner might give an impression that I would be comfortable in scenes involving kissing or skin exposure. However, I am not willing to indulge in any skin show, like many actresses these days. This is why, I took up the role in 'Mere Pehla Pehla Pyar' which has no skin show at all,''she said.

Asked whether she wast averse exposing even if the script demands she said,''If I am asked to expose, I may agree but there has to be more to a role in the film than just exposure.'' Directed by Robbie Grewal, who has earlier directed Sushmita Sen starrer 'Samay', 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar' is a sweet love story between Chocolate school boy Rohan and simple and beautiful school girl Ayesha.

Contemporary teenage love story on the lines of 'Bobby' and 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar reflects on some unforgettable and breathtaking moments which one comes across in life as he experiences this beautiful emotion of first love.

Releasing across India on June 8, the film has Hazel paired opposite another newcomer Ruslaan Mumtaaz, son of yesteryears' actress Anjana Mumtaaz.

UNI