‘I am not Ileana’s sister, I am Erica’

When we met Erica Fernandes for the first time, we couldn’t help but do a double take. After all, the resemblance to Ileana, is uncanny.

Ask her about it and she laughs, “Oh I hear that a lot. People even ask me if I am Ileana’s sister.” So how does she take such comparisons? She smiles, “I take it as a compliment since Ileana is a famous star. But I want to have my own identity as Erica! I hope that once my three Tamil films release, people will see me for what I am and stop comparing me with anyone else.”

For a newcomer in K-town, the tall and charming actor has had an enviable start. She is part of Sasi’s Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (555) opposite Bharath, apart from Virattu directed by Kumar T and Vizhithiru by Meera Kadhiravan.

And to add to that, she is awaiting the release of her debut Hindi film Love is Not Mathematics, directed by I Am Kalam director Nila Madhab Panda.

The Mumbai-based Mangalorean tells us that she always wanted to be in showbiz. “Even when I was a kid I would keep posing before the mirror!” she grins. No wonder then that she won the Femina Miss India Fresh Face 2012 and was among the top 10 finalists.

Actually, Erica first auditioned for a film to be directed by SJ Suryah, but bagged Virattu instead. “Sasi actually saw my photos at Meera’s office when he was casting for 555 and offered me a role,” recalls Erica.She plays a software engineer in 555, which is touted to be an action flick, and is excited about the stunts she has done. “I’m quite a tomboy, so I enjoyed the stunts,” she grins.

About Virattu, she says, “I play a homely girl in this action mystery. Incidentally, Kumar is introducing his son Sujiv in the film,” says Erica.

So why did the pageant winner choose South Indian films as her starting point ? “Why not? After all, several successful stars like Aishwarya, Priyanka, Dia and Juhi have started off in the South. My entry here has opened new pathways for me,” she concludes.

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