Australian Barbie girl Elise Jensen took a brave decision when she left her home in Wollongong, telling her mother she was going to become a Bollywood movie star, but after months of hard work it appears to have paid off with a role in Turban Victory. “I’m so proud of the courage she’s shown in taking this on and the way she has handled some very challenging situations,” said Sandra, her mum.
18-year-old Elise is currently being used by the Starlight agency to promote the 50th anniversary of Barbie throughout India and Elise is appearing at schools and functions all over the place in an express tour that sometimes leaves her exhausted but happy. “The job was perfect as I love children and am also a big fan of Barbie,” she explained, “I arrive in book stores, get seated on a stage and silently interact with the children, handing out prizes, encouraging smiles and laughter and posing for pictures with them and their families.”
But it’s Turban Victory that may be a turning point for her. Puneet Thind’s movie, currently being shot in Chandigarh before moving to the US, hopes to show the serious side of being a Sikh, an approach he believes Bollywood normally neglects in favour of tomfoolery. “Even Singh is Kinng has many fools,” he said, “Turban Victory is being made for the pride of the Sikhs, where they will be shown in a different light. There will be no turbaned comedians, only serious characters.” The film also stars former Miss UK Brooke Johnston.
