| Dressed in a blue top and hot pants, Kareena Kapoor is shooting for Shakun Batra's Short Term Shaadi in Filmalaya Studios (Andheri). In between shots she takes time off to chat with Mumbai Mirror. Excerpts:
You don't do multi-heroine films? Why did you agree to Reema Kagti's film, which co-stars Rani Mukerji? Was the exception made because it has Aamir in the lead?
I am not making any exceptions. Yes, I was clear with Rohit Shetty in Golmaal 3 that it needs to be a performance-oriented role. As long as my role is the best role in the film, it doesn't depend on how many other girls are in it.
It is said that you are the highest paid actress in B-town.
I wish I was. Frankly, I don't know how much anybody else gets and nobody knows how much I get. Don't go by the figures you hear.
I get what I deserve. Every filmmaker knows about my commitment to work. I don't keep tabs on how much other actresses get.
Frankly, I have no interest in what other people are doing. I have worked very hard to be where I am. I am very ambitious but I am not competitive anymore.
I would never call up a producer and say 'Please take me in your film'. I never did that even before, so why now? You know what, I am very secure today.
Is this sense of being secure also to do with personal happiness?
Both. Your personal happiness does come into play at your place of work. But somehow, I have never mixed work and pleasure.
Saif and I understand every situation in life and deal with it accordingly, without losing our composure.
We are sorted. I think it has also got to do with the fact that we both are mature and strong now. It has come with the experiences in our life. Like, for one, I have experienced not only the upswing, but also a downswing.
Have you really experienced a downhill?
Of course. Wasn't it said at one point that I give only flops?
Sorry, but here I am reminded of that swimsuit you wore in Kambakht Ishq. Many people felt that you shouldn't have worn that, when they captured you from behind.
Should I have worn a nightie in a swim shot? I stand by everything that I did. I stand even by my film Talaash (which was a huge box-office dud.)
Recently, you made friends with Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor.
(Shrugs) I am here to work and not to make friends. Friendship is a very strong word you're using.
Friendship and loyalty is something you associate with people whom you have grown up with for donkeys' years. Trust me, Shahid and I have always spoken to each other whenever we meet socially.
Even Saif and Shahid have a conversation. We have always been on cordial terms after our breakup. Come on, we are not 14 or 15.
Reportedly, you are not close to Saif's kids?
That's not true. Everything is fine. We are one big family and shall always be like that.
Fat or thin, how does Saif like you? Let's get this straight, once and for all.
(Laughs) The way I am now. Saif likes me fit, but voluptuous. He doesn't like me too thin. I did go size-zero for Tashan but Saif is not complaining anymore (laughs).
You working with Aamir (Reema's film), Shah Rukh (RA.One) and Salman (Bodyguard). Describe these guys.
They are the tigers of the industry. The kind of passion they have for their work is to be seen to be believed.
Aamir is a genius; his perfection teaches you so much. Shah Rukh is a visionary; he thinks ahead of the times, he starts trends. Salman is a lord; his attitude exemplifies that.
Anushka Sharma and Sonakshi Sinha have burst on the scene. Vidya Balan has slowly inched her way into the A-bracket. Does it rattle you?
No, it does not rattle me. Of course, Anushka and Sonakshi look very promising. As for Vidya, well, she and I dabble in very different genres of cinema.
Madhur Bhandarkar wanted to cast you in Heroine, but it's gone for a toss…
Madhur and I are going to work together. God willing, by end of this year, he and I should have something that we both like. |
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