Meet the only woman in Kabul Express

One woman surrounded by 60 men in war-torn Afghanistan. Sounds dangerous? 

But actress Linda Arsenio, the only woman in the cast of Kabul Express [ Images ], has no complains. 

"Kabul Express is one of the films which will be always close to my heart," says Arsenio. "I got a chance to travel to Afghanistan -- that is a very rare opportunity for any actress. I have many fond memories of the film and I will always cherish this wonderful time I shared with the entire unit of Kabul Express."

Originally from Texas, United States, Arsenio did theatre in New York before moving to India [ Images ]. But Bollywood is not her first tryst with the Indian film industry.

"I am not new to the Indian film industry. I have done a film like Sachin in Tamil, a Telugu film and I have a name down south," she says.

In Kabul Express, she plays an American photojournalist travelling with John Abraham [ Images ] and Arshad Warsi [ Images ], who are trying to meet Taliban [ Images ] leaders in post-9/11 Afghanistan.

The film, directed by Kabir Khan [ Images ], was completed in December 2005. But the India release took a year because Kabul Express was travelling in the festival circuit all over the world.

"People have liked our film all over the world. I hope even Indians love the film," says Arsenio.

Did she get a chance to interact with women in Afghanistan? "I was overzealous to meet them," she says. "They want their conditions to be changed and want freedom. I feel, however, that it will take time for Afghan women to come out of that kind of situation. Things are improving slowly but I feel it will take more time."

Arsenio says she enjoys Bollywood -- the music, the passion and the energy.

"At present Bollywood is the place where I want to be based. I am open though, and would love to work anywhere work takes me," she concludes. 

Text: Syed Firdaus Ashraf