London-bred model Wardah Khan to debut with `Marksheet`

New Delhi: Wardah Khan is the new Bollywood import from the UK after actresses like Katrina Kaif and Amy Jackson. The London-bred model is set to make her acting debut with the film ‘Marksheet’.

The film, based on education scams, is directed by Rakesh Ranjan Kumar with Imran Zahid in the lead. Wardah has been modelling internationally for the past two years but always had her sights set on Bollywood. "I always wanted to be an actress and be a part of Bollywood. Modelling was just the beginning of it. It is very tough to get into the film industry. I am glad I have made it finally," Wardah told reporters. The 24-year-old will be playing the second lead in the film portraying a girl from New York. "Random love stories are not made anymore. This is more of a concept-based film and I play a girl who has come to India from New York. It`s a role I can relate to. My character is a very sensual woman." Wardaha is a known face in the international modelling scene as she has walked the ramp in the US, UK and Dubai. "I have been modelling in the US, UK and Dubai. I have done a lot of catwalks and magazine shoots. I wanted to break into the international market before entering Bollywood and was waiting for the right moment. It has been a bit of a struggle," she said. Wardah has an Arabic background, being born in Jeddah. She speaks a fluent Urdu and has no problems working in a Hindi film. "My background is Arabic, I was born in Jeddah but brought up in London. I am comfortable with Hindi as my mother is a Urdu speaker. I speak Urdu and Arabic at home. I might have an accent problem while speaking in Hindi but I will work extra hard on my dialogues in the film," she said. Now that she has bagged her debut film, Wardah is planning to shift base to India and concentrate on her Bollywood career. "I am shifting base to India and concentrate on my film career. I am also open to modelling here. India is an amazing place and I don`t want return to London now," she said. PTI