Articles: Kareena Kapoor - Page 10

Kareena Kapoor's Patiala Peg

By Subhash K Jha

"It looks like my days of chilling out are numbered. Now it's work work work for the rest of the year," sighs Kareena as she spends some (more) quality time with Shahid.

The two will be together for a long schedule of Imtiaz Ali's film which begins on April 1.

Says Kareena, "We'll be shooting in Pataiala. I've never visited that city before. Also I get to play this really loud Punjabi woman, which I haven't done before. Shahid plays a quiet character. Come to think of it, I've been awfully quiet in my recent films like Aitraaz and Omkara. About time I came out of the shell."

Kareena also gets to go blissfully rustic in Mani Rathnam's Lajjo. Considering everyone is commenting on how svelte chic and urbane she looked on Koffee With Karan wouldn't the rustic act be a little hard to carry out?

"Not at all! That's where the talent comes in," she ripostes "In fact in the Yashraj film that comes between Imtiaz Ali and Mani Rathnam's films, I play an extremely glamorous woman. So it'll balance itself out."

Kareena brought in Shahid's 25th birthday in Goa instead of the foreign spot that they intended to visit for the occasion.

"We had no time," explain Kareena. "I had to fly back to Mumbai to collect my Filmfare award…I keep bumping into my Omkara director Vishal Bhardwaj at all these awards functions. I wish he's sign me for my next."

Kareena track will rock the nation" - Pritam

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Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network


Tell him that in spite of good merits the music of JUST MARRIED and HAT TRICK haven't really set the charts on fire and composer Pritam is unperturbed.

He says, "One can't help something like this happening. There are so many things that could go wrong. It could be wrong release timing, lack of buzz, promotion etc. Still those who have heard the music in entirety have really liked it and that's encouragement enough. Though it is disheartening to see your work going largely unnoticed, one has to take something like this in stride and move on."

Moving on he certainly is, what with the musical release of his latest assignment KYA LOVE STORY HAI. But isn't the music of this Tusshar Kapoor and Ayesha Takia starrer also taking a slow start. "May be, but you must wait and watch for the Kareena number 'It's rocking' to arrive on the music channels. It is sure to rock", he says confidently.

Coming from Pritam, one is forced to do so. Reason? He has hardly been known to speak to highly about his own work, what with the music lovers themselves more often than not giving a green signal to his compositions. Hence when Pritam says that a song of his would be a definite chartbuster, one can't help but take him seriously.

On being questioned that what makes the song special, Pritam replies, "Sheer energy. The song is not just high on rhythm with good melody making the song truly rock, it also has a USP in the form of Kareena Kapoor who is absolutely smashing in the video, You have to watch her in it, you would certainly be bowled over and come out singing 'yaara kabhi ishq to karo' as the lyrics of the song go."

Film industry greets FICCI FramesMumbai: Bollywood biggies came together to kick start FICCI Frames 2007, the three-day convention on the business of media and entertainment in Mumbai on Tuesday. Filmmaker and Chairman, FICCI Entertainment Committee Yash Chopra discussed the entertainment industry growth charts with producer Govind Nihlani and Bobby Bedi at the convention.


A touch of glamour came in from Kareena Kapoor. A co-production treaty between India and Italian production houses was signed on the inaugural day.


"This has been a great event. Industry will benefit more, now that the Italian firms have shown their support to us," said Kareena Kapoor.


Italy's Minister of Communication said the country's production firms look forward to carry on entertainment business in India. "We are now having co-production in five films but with the agreement I think that this number will grow much higher," said Paolo Gentiloni Silveri Minister of Communication Italy.


It was also time for the industry to present a positive view with the 20 percent growth rate seen in the Entertainment and Media Industry for the year 2006 and an expected growth of 80 per cent over the next five years.


"Film industry people have been sceptical about the growth. But the figures show a positive trend," said Yash Chopra.


"There is a general euphoria with growth and success of the entertainment industry. Success is always celebrated with entertainment," said film producer Bobby Bedi.


Day 2 of FICCI Frames will see the bigwigs of the entertainment industry including Shekhar Kapur and Shabana Azmi talking business with 1500 media delegates from across the globe.

Abhishek Bachchan exits from Karan Johar's next project

Mehdi Hassan March 23, 2007
Know More: Bollywood, India Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai. Karisma Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor, Refugee
I know many of you are thinking "Has Abhishek Bachchan gone mad?" He is refusing to work with Karan Johar. Sounds tragic but it is true. Abhishek Bachchan is bailing out from Karan Johar's next project. The reason, KAREENA KAPOOR!!! Does it ring your bells?



Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor started at the same time. In 2000, Refugee, directed by J.P. Dutta was their debut movie. Since then, many years have passed. Once again, Karan Johar was planning to pair them up again for his new project. However, this time Abhishek Bachchan refused.

Kareena Kapoor made some indicent comments about Bachchan family which has upset "Bachchan da Puttar". Times Now.TV reports:

Karan was keen to cast Abhishek and Kareena in his next film, considering they set the screen on fire in 'Refugee'. But a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Recall the fact that, before Aishwarya Rai came into Abhishek's life, Karisma Kapoor was all set to become the Bacchan bahu - and we all know how that ended!

However it seems sis Kareena is not content to let bygones be bygones and in classic Kareena style, made some rather unflattering comments about the Bachchan family. To top it off, Aby's Baby is not one to forgive and forget and has even suggested K- jo replace Kareena with Aishwarya, putting Karan in quite a quandary.

But when Entertainment NOW approached K- jo, he went down the standard Bollywood route of denial:

"With every day that passes I write one more line and one more scene of it. I hope it eventually fructifies into something special. But there is no truth to anything (else), I have not cast the film and I don't even know what I am making," said Johar.



In 2000, Abhishek Bachchan was engaged to Kareena Kapoor's sister, Karisma Kapoor. Their engagement was declared on Amitabh Bachchan's 60th birthday. However, for some unknown reason, the engagement was called off. According to many, the Bachchan family did not want Karisma Kapoor to work after getting married to Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma's mother, Bobby, disagreed. This old grudge has surfaced once again. Strange enough, in 2004, Kareena Kapoor appeared in Yuva, the first successful movie in Abhishek Bachchan's career.

Abhishek and Kareena may not like each other but their film horoscopes are great. I think Karan Johar should start visiting temples and attend pujas so that Abhishek and Kareena agree to work together. If they work together I am sure the movie will be very successful.

Vishal's Labyrinth


A big fan of both Quentin and Labyrinth, Bhardwaj has enjoyed the collaboration tremendously. The director seems afflicted by the need to use a different cinematographer for each film. Hemant Chaturvedi shot his first two, Makdee and Maqbool, Sachin K Krishn worked the camera for The Blue Umbrella and Tassaduq Hussain did Omkara. Now, it's Guillermo.
"That's because I wanted to see what each of them could do," he says, as the unit breaks to gobble samosas and continue setting up the next shot. "Now I know. It's a great learning process, working with different cinematographers. It really develops your own eye." And? "Tassaduq, I think," Vishal nods. "I loved how he approached Omkara and I think we'll do Julia together."

We talk a bit about Julia, his next film currently shrouded in secrecy, written in collaboration with Matthew Robbins, of The Sugarland Express and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. "It's an out and out entertainer," he smiles, "the kind of film people don't expect from Vishal Bhardwaj."

kareena kapoor

Kareena makes the Japanese go weak Actress Kareena Kapoor has worked her jaadu on even the Japanese, or so we hear! Bebo, who is the brand ambassador of a Japanese watch brand, has made an impression on the people from the Land of the Rising Sun. Apparently, her posters all over the country has made them go weak in the knees. "The people in Japan are inquiring more about Kareena than the watch she is endorsing," we are told by a Japanese. "She looks so gorgeous." Wonder if this damsel will visit the country for her fans or will she merely say 'Arigatou' and leave it at that?

Kareena to do a Deepti Naval?

Onir's next is a remake of Sai Paranjpye's frothy working-class comedy Chashme Buddoor, made in 1981. And no, it won't star his favourite actor Sanjay Suri –– although the affable actor strikes you as the ideal new-millennium Farooque Shaikh. "We need a break from each other," says Onir. "And I want to re-make Chashme Buddoor with other actors."

Onir, who has so far made two extremely heavy-hearted social dramas My Brother Nikhil and Bas Ek Pal, is all set to let his hair down. And to help him in this endeavour he wants Kareena Kapoor to play the role of the soap-selling salesperson Deepti Naval immortalised in Chashme Buddoor.

"I've already sounded off Kareena for another film. I feel she has a terrific sense of comedy. I'd like to tap that. My take on Chashme Buddoor would follow the original in principle. But the times have changed. My script would incorporate those changes," adds Onir.

But why Chashme Buddoor? Onir says, "I wanted to make something blithe, something light, something that I hadn't done before."
The constant barrage of angst that Onir had to take on in his first two films had begun to take its toll on the young filmmaker's psyche. "It wasn't easy making those two films. And yes, I needed to lighten the load. It's then that I thought of my former boss Sai Paranjpye. I had assisted her when she made the environmental film Papeeha. And when Studio 18 (the filmmaking concern who lately put out films like Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and 1971) approached me with the idea of doing Chashme Buddoor, Sai Paranjpye was on my mind. Given my heavy state of mind everything fell into place," he says.

Mind over matter

Rachit Gupta
Posted online: Friday, March 30, 2007 at 0000 hours IST

With the whole world raving about her wealth of talent post-Omkara, Kareena Kapoor decided to take some time off. She's now back with a bang. Armed with a calculated approach, this fourth generation star from the Kapoor khandaan talks about all that really matters.
Omkara brought you success, critical acclaim and the Best Female Actor award by Screen. But since then you haven't been seen in a single film. Would you call it a golden opportunity lost?
Just because Omkara was successful does not mean that I jump onto the bandwagon and do roles just for meagre screen presence. On the contrary, as an actor you sometimes need to take time off, sit back on your ambitions and reflect and focus on the career ahead.

But being a part of such a creative world don't you feel stagnant when your wealth of ability lies at rest for so long? What if your closet of talent fills up with cobwebs?
That is not possible. Acting runs in my blood and I could churn out my best on any day. I agree that it has been a long time and I have been equally restless to get back to work. But too often actors are taken for granted and compared to workaholic machines, which obviously they're not. And anyway the coming year is going to be hectic so I already have quite a lot on my mind.

So how does it feel to be finally back on a set after all these months?
I must say it feels great. The last film I had worked on was Don and now that I am finally back in front of the camera again, there is no better feeling than to be on the move and do what you love the most.

After your cameo in Don, which panned majorly in 'item' number, what has been the incentive of doing another 'item' number in Kya Love Story Hai?
I am doing this song for Lovely Singh. He's like family to me and I have known him since his days as an assistant director during Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. We share a great rapport and he has always discussed his dreams and ambitions with me. So now that he's making his directorial debut, he requested me to do this song for his film. And naturally I agreed without any second thoughts. To me, doing this song has an emotional incentive and I am doing it personally and not professionally.

You hail from such an illustrious background of acting. Do you think a meagre screen presence of five minutes does justice to a Kapoor?
I am not a part of this industry just because I come from the Kapoor family. I am also here because I like being here. On a similar note, acting is not all about weighted performances. It is also about professional satisfaction, so obviously there is no point in doing something for the heck of it. I'm doing glamorous and 'hip' numbers because I get a high doing them. I really enjoy being a part of the film industry through any form of contribution on my part.



You seem to be defying trends, in the sense that early on in your career you have portrayed placid and unglamorous characters in films like Refugee, Chameli and Omkara. Are you trying to shy away from your inherent charismatic and debonair image?
All those films gave me an opportunity to excel at my profession. It's not that there is a question of being glamorous . The point is that as an actor you need to strike a fine balance. You can't be eye- candy all the time, you also need to be respected as an actor.

In a recent television show hosted by a friend on a popular channel, you ran down a few actors as you enjoyed the coffee flavour. It has made the headlines in the media. What's your take?
I don't take media's talks seriously and I guess no one does. As far as the show goes, it is a show of humour. Whatever was said was very light-hearted and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Fans of Shahid and you are itching to see you paired together again after Chup Chup Ke. What's cooking on that front?
Actually, Shahid and I are quite restless about it too. But it just cannot be a hasty decision, I want to do a special film with him (Shahid). And I am more than happy to say that it is finally going to happen. We have a film together with Imtiaz Ali and it's a beautiful romantic film. It is set in the glades of Punjab and it's about a young Punjabi girl meeting a city boy on a train headed to Bhatinda. It is the perfect film and I just can't wait to start shooting for it.

Your elder sibling has been out of the industry for a very long time now, but recently there have been contemplation about you and Karisma working together.
Well, she is a mother and her prime focus right now is on motherhood. Although she does get a fair share of proposals, for now she is content attending to the needs of her daughter, Samaira.

What other films are you working on?
Apart from those we have already talked about, I am also doing a film with Yash Raj Films with Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. Trust me, if anyone ever had complaints of me not doing enough glamorous roles, then this YRF project is going to leave them speechless. It has to be 'the' most glamorous role I have ever done.

I am also doing Lajjo with Mani Ratnam and am looking forward to a bright and busy year ahead.

Are you still a part of Kismat Talkies?
Yes, I am.

Well, you look as radiant as ever and certainly very sleek. What's the secret?
I must credit my newfound fitness levels to Bharat Thakur's yoga sessions. The hour-and-a- half sessions every day have helped me tremendously to gain focus and maintain sync between my body and soul. I certainly recommend yoga to anyone who wants to be mentally and physically fit . 👏

Kareena has a funny bone!

Onir, who has so far made two extremely heavy-hearted social dramas My Brother Nikhil and Bas Ek Pal, is all set to let his hair down in his next film which is a remake of Sai Paranjpye's frothy working-class comedy Chashme Buddoor, made in 1981.

And to help him in this endeavour he wants Kareena Kapoor to play the role of the soap-selling salesperson Deepti Naval immortalised in Chashme Buddoor.

"I've already sounded off Kareena for another film. I feel she has a terrific sense of comedy. I'd like to tap that. My take on Chashme Buddoor would follow the original in principle. But the times have changed. My script would incorporate those changes," adds Onir.

The constant barrage of angst that Onir had to take on in his first two films had begun to take its toll on the young filmmaker's psyche.

"I needed to lighten the load. It wasn't easy making those two films. It's then that I thought of my former boss Sai Paranjpye. I had assisted her when she made the environmental film Papeeha. And when Studio 18 (the filmmaking concern who lately put out films like Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and 1971) approached me with the idea of doing Chashme Buddoor, Sai Paranjpye was on my mind. Given my heavy state of mind everything fell into place," he says.

Onir has now put plans of doing Shakespeare's Hamlet on the back-burner. He says, "It would've been another psychologically and emotionally wrenching experience for me.

But let me say, I'm not jumping on to the remake bandwagon. I'm doing Chashme Buddoor because it's one of my all-time favourite films. This would be my homage to my mentor."

From Showman Ghai to Showdown Ghai? Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has been in the news, but not just for the right reasons.

Controversies abound him and we've heard many a fall-out stories between him and some of the finest actors in the industry.

Ghai confronts these 'controversies' and tells us as it is…


You are known to make superstars out of newcomers. But you did work with Shah Rukh and Ash in between. And now you are back to casting newcomers?

"In my career, I've groomed actors into stardom only for one reason - I never wanted to work with superstars. I wanted to create them because then they respect you and look up to you. After three years, when they change, I take on other newcomers. Right from the beginning I have worked with Shatrughan Sinha who was playing a villain that time instead of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan or Kamal Haasan. The moment an actor considers himself to be a 'superstar', they are good for the audiences but not for my relaxation, peace of mind and creative space."

But why not superstars?

"A director is the chief of the unit and shouldn't be intimidated by the stars only because 'Filmfare' has given them few awards. An actor must respect you, have faith in you. 'Superstars' have these wrong notions that films run only because of them. Also, the stars are always politically correct when they say that a good script is essential, et al, but deep inside all they want are directors, who worship them and not the ones who work on their own terms and conditions."

Apparently, according to many actors, you are egoistic…

"I don't have an ego nor am I tough to work with. I have made films with Dilip Kumar, Shah Rukh and Anil Kapoor.

It's just that I should be comfortable with the people I work."

Apparently you had once quoted that, 'Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor have taken you for granted'?

"Not true. Sanju, Anil and Jackie are family to me. I'd like to work with them whenever I have the right script for them. And even if we have any differences at all, we sort it out immediately without wasting any time. Either I call them or they call me."

You had a fall out with 'golden girl' Madhuri Dixit, too, we hear?

"These are tabloid talks. Madhuri is very close to me. We have a certain understanding. I've never had any issues with her, Anil, Jackie or Sanju."

Are you still upset with Shahid and Kareena's 'unprofessional behaviour' during '36 China Town's' press conference?

"It was just a misunderstanding. Shahid and Kareena weren't informed about a photo session post press conference so they left. So I called them up saying, 'Where are you guys, come back here?' This was overheard by some media man and he blew it out of proportion unnecessarily. Shahid, Kareena are like my children so even if I shout at them, it's out of affection and not humiliation."

Akshaye Khanna was upset with you for not promoting him well in your last few films?

"Akshaye did call me and speak to me about it. I told him, 'If a movie has to work, it will. No three or four hoardings can help you'. But actors are insecure and childish and thus jab kuch dost milke unko bhadka dete hain (when a few friends instigate them), they do such things. Akshaye in particular is like a son to me; he knows that and thus reserves his spoilt childish behaviour only for me."

You gave a huge break to Mahima in 'Pardes'. How come you haven't worked with her again?

"Mahima and I meet, we share a cordial relationship and I really feel for her. She is a good actress and a good-looking girl. She just needs a stroke of luck. We groom actors, make movies for them and when they become stars, they manage their own careers. When newcomers get 2-3 hits under their belt, they go berserk. Fame spoils their brain and they make wrong choices, repent, and then wonder where they went wrong."

'Yaadien' didn't do well. Are you willing to work with Hrithik post 'Dhoom2'?

"Before the release of 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai', Rakesh Roshan had asked me to cast Hrithik. And I did that. But before 'Yaadien' was released, 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' went on to become such a huge hit that 'Yaadien', which was actually a film about Jackie Shroff and his three daughter's, was perceived as a Hrithik Roshan movie and thus didn't meet their expectations. It did give me a dent. However, I would love to work with Hrithik again."

Shah Rukh and you have your differences….

"We have our differences, but who doesn't? Deep inside we have love for each other. He's a superstar and I smile at it. I treat him like a kid. He tells me, "Abhi mein itna bada bangaya abhi to mujhe bada man lijiye" (I've become so big now, at least consider me big now!) and I laugh and say, 'You're the same naughty Shah Rukh for me as you were in 'Pardes'. He is an intelligent actor, I am happy for him!"

Apparently you had requested Salman to lower his rate, he didn't and since then things didn't work out between you two.

"Such a thing never happened. Salman and I have great respect for each other. I'll never work with anyone who challenges my self-esteem. Salman, on the contrary, has a great heart and is like a child, one of the finest persons in the industry. In fact, I'm making 'Mein Yuvraj', a film set in 2008 in Europe, soon, with Salman, Zayed, and Anil Kapoor. It is a total entertainer with lots of music and humour."