Heroine is better than Fashion

Actor Kareena Kapoor. AFP

Clad in a magenta sleeveless top, Kareena looked like one of those girls you see in the yoga class. Calm and composed, she seemed to have nothing in common with the chirpy Geet of Jab We Met, except the looks. Even when I asked her provocative questions, she didn't lose her cool.

It was 9 p.m when I met Kareena at her apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, where she has been living with Saif Ali Khan for the past 5 years. Though she had to go out for a dinner, she spent nearly 40 minutes, discussing Bollywood, her own movies and her live in partner Saif Ali Khan. She was both excited and nervous about her latest movie, Heroine.

Excerpts from the interview:

Everybody is talking about halkat jawani. Is it a new Kareena that we will see in Heroine?
Everyone still identifies me as Geet, the bubbly girl in Jab We Met.But in Heroine, Mahi Arora is a declining superstar who does what she thinks is right and lives her life differently. For an actor from the mainstream, it is difficult to do such a role. It should be the most daring role I've done so far, but not in terms of skin show. Mahi is bold because of her mind. I saw the movie yesterday. The last 20-30 minutes are very gripping and nerve racking.

Heroine has just been released. What frame of mind are you in now?
I am excited and nervous.Whatever happened, I wanted a role which was performance-oriented. People have expectations from Madhur Bhandarkar's films. And I believe Heroine will not disappoint them.

September 21, the day Heroine was released, was your birthday.
Yeah. I wanted my fans to watch the movie as a birthday gift to me.

A lot has been written about the cat fight between you and Priyanka Chopra. Is Heroine better than Fashion?
People keep making stories about cat fights. I don't care. I think, as a film Heroine is better than Fashion. It is more emotional. But, I loved watching Fashion, and since then I had wanted to work with Madhur.

Cinema everywhere is changing. But why does Bollywood refuse to change?
Bollywood is still masala and glamour. The audience want that. We have to give them what they want. Many of the box-office hits don't have a great script or a great role.Even Heroine is sensational. It has a lot of style in it. I appear in around 150 costumes. Songs are glamorous. That's what the audience want to see at the end of the day.

Do you yearn for different types of cinema?
I'm happy that I've done films like Chameli, Omkara and Jab We Met. And now Heroine. If you get good roles in a commercial film, nothing like it.

In Chameli you played a sex worker. How did you learn to walk and laugh like that? Did you visit the red street before doing the role?
I believe in spontaneity. I never sat and thought about how to do that role. I've never visited any red street in my life. Chameli was a challenging role. I did it at the age of 22.

Was it because your mom was not allowed to pursue her acting career that she separated from your dad?
No. It was her choice not to work after marriage.

What is Karisma doing now?
She talks about movies especially my movies. But she doesn't have time for acting. She is just busy with her kids. She is a doting mother and her whole life is revolving around bringing them up now.

You have done a lot of movies with the Khans.
Everybody works with the Khans. If I don't work with them, someone else will do.
I'm very happy that I could do two films with Aamir Khan. I'm a huge fan of him. Talaash is a very special movie. And again I've a very wonderful role in it.

What kind of a person are you?
I'm extremely passionate, whether it is love, loyalty or work. My upbringing has had a huge influence on me. In fact, all the three women in my family are very strong, determined and positive. My mom was born strong. She is an Aerian. As a person, I'm very down to earth, calm and composed. People constantly misunderstood me. I'm bothered about my films, family, loved ones, friends and food only.

You loved Shahid Kapoor passionately. How did you overcome the pain of break up with him?
Whatever happens in life happens for the best. And I wish him more and more luck than anybody in the world can have. I didn't feel depressed after the break up. As I told you earlier, I'm a very strong girl.

Who all are your friends in Bollywood?
I've few friends like Karan Johar,Amrita Arora and Malaika Arora. They are all loyal and solid friends. I'm very close to designer Manish Malhotra also. He was the one who styled me in Chameli.

So, have you set a date for your wedding?
The day it happens, my fans will definitely get to know. We'll not hide it.

Tell me about Saif. Is he romantic?
He is. But more than that, he is very caring and loving. Saif is a loner. He likes his own space and loves to read.

How did you fall in love with Saif?
Saif is an intelligent person. I used to enjoy talking to him. Gradually, I realised I was in love with him. It's fun to be with Saif. I'm lucky that I'm sharing my life with someone whose company I enjoy a lot. I think that is more important than anything else. We make our b'days special. Both of us like going on holidays and trying out different cuisine. Whenever we get a chance, we just run away to our favorite destinations.
Saif is very passionate about his career. And he allows me that space to work.Saif has taught me to think of a life beyond movies. But he spoils me a lot!

Did your family object to your relationship with a married man?
Not at all. My parents are very liberal. That Saif was married before doesn't bother me, either. I'm very close to his daughter Sara. She is bright and beautiful.

You are an ambitious actor. Will it not be difficult to juggle family and career? I will continue to act after marriage. My personal life with Saif has nothing to do with my career. He never asks me what film I do or who I talk to. I don't ask him either.This is our home. We have been living here for the last five years. How is it going to be different from being married? And I don't plan to have children for the next four years.

Are you a non conformist?
I think those who love should be together.As a couple, Saif and me are very Bohemian. We'll probably get married in Jeans and T shirt.

Which is more sexy? Skinny or voluptuous?
I think being voluptuous is more interesting.I'm just my normal self now- healthy and happy and I like the way I'm. For the last 3 years I've been doing Ashtanga Yoga. It works well for me. Size zero was a different phase in my life!