The global citizen Elnaaz Norouzi

With residences in Germany, Iran and India, she calls the world her home. But, in a candid tête-à-tête with HELLO!, the stunning actress and fashionista shares that Shah Rukh Khan’s the reason she came to India to pursue acting!

- SREEMITA BHATTACHARYA

You are a German national of Iranian descent who has worked in the Pakistani film industry as well as in India. It’s been one globe-spanning journey, won’t you agree?

“I totally agree! I love traveling and, sometimes, I feel the world is my home. In fact, whenever I say I’m going back home, people wonder if I’m talking about Hanover or Tehran or Mumbai... I have three homes.”

Is it true that you started modelling at 14? Please tell us a bit about it...

“Yes, it’s true. I always wanted to be an actor, and at that time a lot of people told me to start modeling because I was already so tall, and I would get noticed. So, a couple of modelling agencies did come my way, but my mom did the necessary research since I was very young. We went with the best agency from Munich, which was quite far from home, but the best.”

You have worked with two of the most popular Khans in the Indian film fraternity – Salman and Shah Rukh – did you have fangirl moments with any of them when you first met them?

“Well yeah, I grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan’s films and he was the reason I came to India to pursue acting, so I, definitely, was damn excited when I was on set with him. It was surreal. Back when his posters were hanging on my walls, I never thought that I’d ever get the chance to meet him and now I’ve already worked twice with him! Salman Khan also just makes you so comfortable on set, you don’t even feel like you are next to a superstar.”