I' Am Happy & Safer in Australia- Genelia D’Souza

The actress, who is shooting in the city, says that despite the ‘racist’ taint caused by the attacks, she finds Melbourne a safe multi-cultural haven.

The 23-year-old is shooting here for the Telugu film ’Orange’ which is employing over 250 Australians as cast and crew.

“There are always those pockets of unsafe places everywhere in the world. I personally think it’s a great city. It is sad that incidents have happened in Australia and Indians have been targeted, but I feel safe here,” Genelia who has been riding on the trams and enjoying the multi-cultural cuisine on offer, said.

Over 100 incidents of attacks on Indians, particularly students, were reported in 2009, and the incidents of violence have continued this year, but the actress, who plays a student in the film, said that she is enjoying the multi-cultural vibe of the city.

“The beauty of Australia is that it is so multicultural, so cosmopolitan that you see different people. I have had a lot food here ranging from Greek to Japanese to Yumcha,” said the actress.

Genelia, who recently met Bronwyn Pike, the education minister of the state of Victoria, said she is enjoying exploring the city.

“I am excited because we are usually pushed to the hills and the most picturesque places while shooting abroad.

But the beauty of this film is that it is an urban film, so we have done most of the shooting in the city, on the bridges, sitting in normal trams, so the interaction with people is so much more and I am getting to know the city a lot better,” she said.

Melbourne has been a favourite shooting locale for Indian films, with ‘Salaam Namaste’, ‘Chak de India’ and ‘Heyy Babyy’, being some examples of movies shot here.

Genelia joins the list of superstars that have visited the country in the past few months including Rani Mukherjee and A.R. Rehman.