In a candid chat with Katrina Kaif!

Bollywood's diva Katrina Kaif, is on the receiving end of innumerable compliments from all across for her excellent performance in her latetst release 'Fitoor'. In a candid chat with India-Forums, Kat shares her experience while filming 'Fitoor' and also speaks about her upcoming projects.

After doing action for so long, you're coming back in a romantic movie. How does it feel?

I think that'd be a nice change for people who come to see the film. Jab Tak Hai Jaan has been my last love story. In fact, this year I'm going to have 3 very different love stories. I'm happy about that.

So how would you differentiate between the three?

I think the USP of Fitoor is that it's an extremely classic, romantic, passionate love story. Jagga Jasoos is keeping Anurag Basu's inherent style - quirky and unusual. Baar Baar Dekho is a very surprising love story and a new take. I cannot predict what people will feel, but I'm certain they'd say that it was a good attempt. When I read it, it felt that it's something we've not seen before.

What preparations did you do for Fitoor?

The normal workshops and readings! Abhishek was quite clear on how he wanted the character to be played.

Has your sensibility of choosing projects changed? And have you evolved with each film?

You choose films according to the time, place and mood you're in at that point. I distinctively remember when I was deciding on taking up Dhoom 3, I was driving in my car and just the excitement and thrill of visualizing being on the set with the circus people and team that was going to be there, visuals, songs, level of dance, that was the most exciting thing for me at the moment. When I got Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, I was shooting for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and I remember discussing with probably Zoya and called up Ali. People might call it a childish film but for me at that moment it was exactly what I wanted to do. It was the most memorable experience. The whole character Ali wrote was a side of me that only my close friends know. When Aditya Chopra saw the film, he said what are you guys doing? In the end, he was really happy with it.

Were you happy with the film choices you've made?

I'm very happy with all of them because they were the choices I wanted to do at that time. With most things in life, you can only react and do things you feel at that time. You can't predict the future and necessarily have the greatest foresight. The story of Phantom seemed so new to me and my friend.

Were you upset that Phantom didn't do well?

The opening weekend of Phantom started out so well. We were all so happy. I really think it's a good film - well-made and interesting story. But then like sometimes it happens - we had a huge comedy film which was slightly more commercial and overtook everything. These things aren't in your control. You can't predict what'll happen.

How was your experience shooting with Rekha?

Whatever little time I got to spend with her, I consider myself fortunate. It's always going to be a special memory for me. Not many people know but I've had many interactions with Rekha ji over a long time now. We've had many conversations, moments where we've met not in the public eye. We meet on and off during a few selective moments. So I know her quite well. Not personally, but have a lot of regard for her. I also have this connection.

Would you like to work with Salman Khan once again?

The way Ek Tha Tiger was received was really special. It's a good memory for people and was a light film. If there's place where we do a film together, it should be something to match that or better it.

Don't you feel that the pairing itself will work more than the script?

That's the biggest mistake an actor could make - to think that a pairing is bigger than the script. You need a script to support you. The script of EK THA TIGER, again that I've read while shooting for ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA, is what I loved when I first read it. It changed a little bit once Salman came in the film. Yes, he came in a little later and it was the one film where an actress was casted before an actor (which is the way it should be).

How was it working with Aditya? How would you describe your chemistry on and off screen?

I've never understood the word chemistry. To me, it's the scene, the way a director directs you and the lines. There is a great classic, most romantic film ever made. When you read the trivia on the film, apparently they hated each other on set. If you have a script to back you and are a good, competant actor, when the camera rolls and the director is a good director, he will craft the chemistry between you and you wouldn't even know. So when someone says we're good friends, that doesn't necessarily mean they have good chemistry. When you do a film like Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani - where there's give and take, fast, upbeat and happy comedy, you need to have that sync and same comic timing. Even then, I had a great director like Raj ji. Raj Kumar Santoshi to me is one of the greatest comic directors we have. The main reason is the script. You can't say someone has great chemistry with a silly script. Coming to off-screen chemistry, me and Adi have a similar friends circle, a lot of common friends. I didn't know him very well, but was familiar. I didn't know him that well evem during the making of the film, but now with whatever days we are promoting our movie together, I found Adi very sincere, simple and honest. What you see is what you get from him. You don't have to go digging to know what he's thinking because he's very straightforward and easy to trust person.

What is happening to Jagga Jasoos?

I remember that during the making of BARFI also people said it's taking a lot of time. I know this because I'm friends with Ronnie Screwvala and other people associated with the film. Since the same thing happened with BARFI, I'm not having a troublesome feeling for JAGGA JASOOS. I just think Dada (Anurag Basu)'s process is something which is unusual. The films he's made are already extra special and that's what we're hoping to achieve with this as well. Sometimes, it takes time for such special and good things.

Do you wish people would go beyond using the adjective "hard working" for you?

Of course I do. Unbelievable, fantastic, dreamlike, sensuous, talented. We need more feminine, beautiful sounding words.

Do you usually look at films that have done well or find criticizms in the other?

I do have a long list of films that are about to do better next time.

Are you doing Kabir Khan's film?

What film?

The one with Hrithik Roshan?

Very honestly, because Kabir is my friend and I kind of know about what he's doing in life, I can tell you that Kabir himself is not sure about what his next film is.

Is it disheartening to read stories about your personal life?

Of course, You'd rather wish that you open the paper and read that Katrina is one of the top 5 actresses in the world. Aditya already feels that I am. I think every actor accepts that their personal life will be spoken about along the way.

Priyanka Chauhan