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Kareena Kapoor talks about Mani Ratnam's Lajjo, losing weight for the film and, ironically, her love for food
Subhash K Jha
What are the preparations you are making for Mani Ratnam's Lajjo?
There will be Urdu classes and lots of dance rehearsals. I also have to change my hairstyle. I need to restructure my body too, because Indian clothes require a different physicality.
But you are already slim.
I know. But I constantly feel the need to grow thinner. I've always been healthy. (Touch wood.) I'm a foodie. So I need to burn up the extra calories. If I eat heavily, I work out vigorously. I'll be working out intensely from the next month for Lajjo.
You will be working with Aamir Khan for the first time.
I'm really looking forward to working with Aamir. I've always been in awe of him. Just watching him at work is a learning experience. I have known him since the time he worked with my sister in Andaz Apna Apna and Raja Hindustani. I'm a wide-eyed Aamir fan, who has watched all his films, read all his interviews and followed all his films. I bought tickets and saw Rang De Basanti six times.
Are you planning another film with Shahid?
We've taken a mutual decision not to work together until we're offered something truly outstanding. It must be an out-and-out love story. He's one of our youngest leading men. Coincidentally, Shahid too has taken a break from acting. I'm not exaggerating when I say he hears four scripts a day. But nothing excites him. I'm so happy he has decided to stop work until he feels challenged by a script.
Are you implying the two of you didn't plan this time off together?
No. It just happened. So far, Shahid has done several films he wasn't convinced with. When I do the same, I defiantly shrug it off. But bad films trouble Shahid. So now he's putting his foot down.
What about you?
It's always the script. I've realised the script is the real star. That's why I love Omkara. I think I did well for myself.
You've won the Smita Patil Memorial Award this year.
I was away in Vienna when my sister received a letter from them and then called me. I guess all my hard work is finally paying off. I've always admired Smita Patil. I'll be getting the award on September 19, two days before my birthday; it is a great gift.
How closely have you watched Smita's films?
I think she was wonderful in Arth. She had a thankless, unsympathetic role as the other woman. And she held her own against someone as powerful as Shabana Azmi. I wish I could play that role. I also like Smita in Bazaar. I'm partial to Bazaar because Supriya aunty (Shahid's step-mother Supriya Pathak) is in it. She's a lovely actress who never got her due. She gave up her opportunities for her kids.
Just like your mom?
No, no. My mom has a rocking life. She has lots of friends, she travels, she goes out for lunches, plus she has my niece Samaira. So there's no time for her to be lonely.
Were you happy with the response you got for Omkara?
Sure. Mani Rathnam's Lajjo happened to me after Omkara. I won't be shooting for the next three months €" just travelling to one unexplored land after the other with Shahid every month, spending time with friends whom I've ignored because of work. The pressure of getting up for a 9 am shift for work that didn't excite me, is over. I'm looking for the right scripts now. I fall asleep hearing scripts about people cracking stupid jokes and shedding artificial tears. Will someone gift me an exciting script?
What exciting things have you planned to do during your holiday?
I wish I could boast of doing a course in cinematography or learning a new language during my holiday. But I guess all I'll be doing is watching Hindi movies and travelling. Next month, Shahid and I travel to Thailand. I love travelling.
Does Shahid like to travel?
He loves to go to new places. But he's terrified of flying. That's the problem.
That's okay, you can hold his hand.
Nah. I'm too busy eating and watching movies on flights. I love flying. To me every destination is just a flight away. If I decide to visit a place, I just fly off overnight.
What is Karisma planning to do?
As of now she's just planning to look after her baby. She wants to be there for Samaira and watch her grow. Samaira is still very young. She needs her mother. Karisma was offered a television show. But she decided she wanted to stay home. She might come back to cinema if she gets a great role.
No one has offered the two of you a film together?
We'd love to work together. But there have to be great roles for both of us.
What do you plan to do for your birthday on September 21?
I think I've done well for myself. I don't know what more I want from my life and career. I've got love and I now forward to doing some great films. Both professionally and personally I'm at peace with myself. Now I want to go with the flow. In December I start preparing for Lajjo.
Where will you be on your birthday?
Ideally I'd like to be in Goa. That's my favourite holiday spot in India. We've decided to visit one new place every month.
Does marriage feature on the anvil?
Not for the next four years for sure. I'll most definitely marry Shahid. I'm not the kind to jump from one relationship to another. For me love is for keeps.
Subhash K Jha
What are the preparations you are making for Mani Ratnam's Lajjo?
There will be Urdu classes and lots of dance rehearsals. I also have to change my hairstyle. I need to restructure my body too, because Indian clothes require a different physicality.
But you are already slim.
I know. But I constantly feel the need to grow thinner. I've always been healthy. (Touch wood.) I'm a foodie. So I need to burn up the extra calories. If I eat heavily, I work out vigorously. I'll be working out intensely from the next month for Lajjo.
You will be working with Aamir Khan for the first time.
I'm really looking forward to working with Aamir. I've always been in awe of him. Just watching him at work is a learning experience. I have known him since the time he worked with my sister in Andaz Apna Apna and Raja Hindustani. I'm a wide-eyed Aamir fan, who has watched all his films, read all his interviews and followed all his films. I bought tickets and saw Rang De Basanti six times.
Are you planning another film with Shahid?
We've taken a mutual decision not to work together until we're offered something truly outstanding. It must be an out-and-out love story. He's one of our youngest leading men. Coincidentally, Shahid too has taken a break from acting. I'm not exaggerating when I say he hears four scripts a day. But nothing excites him. I'm so happy he has decided to stop work until he feels challenged by a script.
Are you implying the two of you didn't plan this time off together?
No. It just happened. So far, Shahid has done several films he wasn't convinced with. When I do the same, I defiantly shrug it off. But bad films trouble Shahid. So now he's putting his foot down.
What about you?
It's always the script. I've realised the script is the real star. That's why I love Omkara. I think I did well for myself.
You've won the Smita Patil Memorial Award this year.
I was away in Vienna when my sister received a letter from them and then called me. I guess all my hard work is finally paying off. I've always admired Smita Patil. I'll be getting the award on September 19, two days before my birthday; it is a great gift.
How closely have you watched Smita's films?
I think she was wonderful in Arth. She had a thankless, unsympathetic role as the other woman. And she held her own against someone as powerful as Shabana Azmi. I wish I could play that role. I also like Smita in Bazaar. I'm partial to Bazaar because Supriya aunty (Shahid's step-mother Supriya Pathak) is in it. She's a lovely actress who never got her due. She gave up her opportunities for her kids.
Just like your mom?
No, no. My mom has a rocking life. She has lots of friends, she travels, she goes out for lunches, plus she has my niece Samaira. So there's no time for her to be lonely.
Were you happy with the response you got for Omkara?
Sure. Mani Rathnam's Lajjo happened to me after Omkara. I won't be shooting for the next three months €" just travelling to one unexplored land after the other with Shahid every month, spending time with friends whom I've ignored because of work. The pressure of getting up for a 9 am shift for work that didn't excite me, is over. I'm looking for the right scripts now. I fall asleep hearing scripts about people cracking stupid jokes and shedding artificial tears. Will someone gift me an exciting script?
What exciting things have you planned to do during your holiday?
I wish I could boast of doing a course in cinematography or learning a new language during my holiday. But I guess all I'll be doing is watching Hindi movies and travelling. Next month, Shahid and I travel to Thailand. I love travelling.
Does Shahid like to travel?
He loves to go to new places. But he's terrified of flying. That's the problem.
That's okay, you can hold his hand.
Nah. I'm too busy eating and watching movies on flights. I love flying. To me every destination is just a flight away. If I decide to visit a place, I just fly off overnight.
What is Karisma planning to do?
As of now she's just planning to look after her baby. She wants to be there for Samaira and watch her grow. Samaira is still very young. She needs her mother. Karisma was offered a television show. But she decided she wanted to stay home. She might come back to cinema if she gets a great role.
No one has offered the two of you a film together?
We'd love to work together. But there have to be great roles for both of us.
What do you plan to do for your birthday on September 21?
I think I've done well for myself. I don't know what more I want from my life and career. I've got love and I now forward to doing some great films. Both professionally and personally I'm at peace with myself. Now I want to go with the flow. In December I start preparing for Lajjo.
Where will you be on your birthday?
Ideally I'd like to be in Goa. That's my favourite holiday spot in India. We've decided to visit one new place every month.
Does marriage feature on the anvil?
Not for the next four years for sure. I'll most definitely marry Shahid. I'm not the kind to jump from one relationship to another. For me love is for keeps.
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