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Ileana casts her spell

Ileana describes herself as a romantic at heart and a thoroughbred professional

FREEZE FRAME Ileana in a still from `Devadasu'

She was first noticed in a fairness cream ad. But soon, our attention shifted from her ad appearances to her work as an actress, blessed as she is with fresh talent. Already three films old, Ileana breezed into Telugu cinema with Devadasu and is now hot property in industry circles.

Talking about her parents, she says, "My parents have an amazing love story. My mom is a Muslim and my father is a Catholic. It was pretty much impossible to get married but they fell in love with each other completely. My mom being a very independent and strong-headed lady stuck to her decision and married my dad. They share a great bond. We are four of us. The first one is Farah then me, brother Reece and a sis Erene. Put all the first letters in our names together and you have FIRE," she chortles.

Incidentally, here name comes from the city of Ileo in Greece. Remind her about the approaching Valentine's Day and she says, "I'm very much a romantic and passionate person. The perfect setting for the day would be a beach because I am a water person. I would create a lovely mood for both of us. I don't like tables and chairs all over, prefer a little divan probably in a balcony, order a pizza or his favourite food because I don't cook, chill out, cuddle and listen to some nice song, have a nice chat and spend quality time with him."

Does she get floored by diamonds, chocolate cakes, flowers etc? "Yup, they all count but they don't go a long way. It is enough if I am comfy with that person." What kind of person would she love to date? Ileana gets unabashedly sentimental. "Johnny Depp is my all-time favourite. My man's got to have the best body and face and a very understanding heart." She adds, "In a relationship, one needs to have space. I would like to date a person who shares my interests. I like to have fun but at times, I go to extremes. So I need someone who can match me with that."

Ileana adds, "I get turned off by egocentric people and the ones who put on an act. How can you impress someone when you are not being yourself. No person is perfect here and one should accept him or her for that, why try and impress?

"I can be a little irrational when my temper comes in. I hate people telling me what to do. If they are correcting me it's okay but if they make it a habit I ask them to back off. In the Telugu film industry, all the good guys are taken, so don't ask me who else I admire or would love to date." As of now Ileana, who has fair share of brains, quips, "My motto is Ishq ko kaam samjho aur kaam say ashiqi karo."

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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