Jacqueline has the last laugh Sajid picks her Kick

Jacqueline Fernandez, who started her career with an ambitious VFX affair Aladin a few years back, is seeing quite some goodies coming her way. Though she survived a period of disappointment with her first couple of films turning out to be non-starters, she has all the right reasons to smile, what with Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan bringing her on board for Kick and a pairing in the making with Ranbir Kapoor as well for Roy.

"Slowly but steadily she has seen her stakes going up," says an observer, "One has to credit her for the right moves that she made. As someone from far off Sri Lanka who wanted to make her career in Bollywood and didn't know a word of Hindi, she could have just lost her way after two consecutive flops. However, instead of signing any random film or taking a long break in wait for a real biggie to come her way, she played on her strengths and made a calculated move of picking up Murder 2."

She hasn't looked back ever since, what with a hat-trick of hits that includes Race 2 as well as Housefull 2. With a film each with Salman and Ranbir, the current Numero Uno superstar and the next big superstar, Jacqueline has all the right reasons to smile.

"More so since she isn't merely there because a Hindi film requires a leading lady," an insider adds who is in know-how of Kick and Roy, "Let's not forget that Ileana D'Cruz had an integral part to play in the original Kick. Sajid Nadiadwala waited for over six months to get just the right actress who came with a blend of glamour quotient and acting chops. He couldn't have settled for anyone lesser for his directorial debut. On the other hand, she plays a double role in Roy and has to match up with Ranbir's superior acting skills. Even with Salman and Ranbir around, she is in these films for all the good reasons."

On contacting, though Jacqueline understandably kept mum when questioned about Kick and Roy in particular, she was more than happy to be acknowledged as an actress.

"Yeah, I have started hearing a lot of that especially after Race 2," she smiles, "I am happy with these compliments as thankfully people have started believing in me as an actress as well. I guess it is also a lot about being in the right projects. Yes, there has been a waiting period involved but then I am fine with that. I am okay to hold on for a while than being associated with something that may not work or doesn't have potential. Patience is the number one virtue that one needs to have in this industry."

Guess that is something that has paid off indeed for Jacqueline.