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Last week, Kareena Kapoor was at the family court, by her sister Karisma's side while she went through a divorce from Sunjay Kapur. In her first interview since, Kareena is candid about what her sister has been through and her own thoughts about marriage. Svelte in track pants and a hot pink muscle tee, Kareena lounges feet up on a settee at Saif Ali Khan's and her 10th floor Bandra apartment.
The living room is "colourful and cluttered", as Kareena likes it, with books, paintings and a record player, from which Ella Fitzgerald songs float out. She's relaxed for someone between shoots, involved in the doing-up of her new sprawling home ("with an open kitchen and huge library") across the road, as well as Pataudi Palace that is now back with the family. Excerpts from interview:
After 14 years in the business, what would you go back and tell 18-year-old Kareena in Refugee?
I have no regrets. I did it with my heart and not mind. Right from saying no to Rakesh Roshan (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai), I did it on my own terms. I am ambitious but not overtly. Don't succumb to manipulation. Acting is my passion and job, but not my life. I used to cry when my movies flopped. I had a rough patch till 2006. I don't cry now. S**t scripts don't work.
I'm still all heart. But I'm more in control of my emotions, my life. At 20, it's okay to be in the co-pilot seat. In your thirties, you should be in the pilot's seat. I change every year. This year, I can courageously say no to bad scripts, even from friends. I've grown.
Indian actors take fame too seriously. In Hollywood, actors can watch a game, surf, take a five-month break without people wondering if you're pregnant or jobless. Here, it's like a time bomb ticking. I don't get that. I'd like to go to Portofino or the Amalfi coast instead.
What is your attitude towards money?
Lolo and I worked because of our passion, not to buy a car or house. My first pay cheque was Rs 2 lakh and I didn't cash it because I'd like to keep it forever. But while I may be in love, I can't survive on just that and fresh air. I need money for my lifestyle.
Are you good at investing?
My mom does it completely. I'm spoilt. Saif and I are a lethal combination for finances. (Gasps) We're like Laurel and Hardy. We have to be budgeted. My mom and Lolo are sensible. I know my money is in bonds, schemes, LICs, but I don't understand investing.
Is work different for a married actress?
My priorities are different. I'm not going to spend three months on a cruise for a film shoot, though this year I'm in Goa, Rajasthan, Hong Kong and Romania on work.
Does Saif have the same rules?
No, he can do any kind of film because he's the bread winner. But Saif never stops me. He understands we have separate identities. This is my priority.
Actresses take up other careers. What's your plan B?
Nothing. I didn't plan on marrying my sister's co-star. There is no plan B. Act till I'm 80. Travel, read, explore. Do three killer performances, see five amazing places (like the Northern Lights and Jerusalem).
If you could go back and graduate, what course would you choose?
Saif often says he'd like to go back to Oxford and get a degree in art history. I'd like to graduate in psychology from Columbia (laughs). I'm observant, I like talking about the mind and I have an elephant's memory. That's Plan B; more fun things.
What about motherhood?
Every woman has that gene. But I can't think of that now. Saif and I aren't ready yet. I'm an extremely committed and passionate person. So if I'm having a baby, I'll get into it totally. But it's Plan C or D.
Your parents divorced, Karisma is going through it, Saif's first marriage failed...
And yet, I'm not cynical about love. My parents are really good friends. They sit at separate tables at Otter's Club every evening, but at some point, they hang out. As far as my sister is concerned, I'm happy they parted ways and on a mutual note. I hope the kids don't get affected much. I'm sure he'll (Sunjay Kapur) be a good father and she's a fantastic mother. That's what counts.
Was it heartbreaking to see the kids go through it? The papers reported it as an ugly break-up...
It's not like that, but which break-up isn't ugly? And the kids... that's life. Things happen. You have to take it in your stride and be mature. Karisma is extremely dignified. I like the way the two have been dignified despite newspaper reports, for the sake of the kids.
What makes you feel love can be forever?
Because it's love. It has different phases, but the important thing is to enjoy each other's company and talk. When you can't talk, it's difficult. I feel Saif and I are best friends, but he always says, "We signed on as lovers, not friends." (laughs)
How do you keep that kind of body after 30?
I do a lot of yoga and Pilates. Though I just had a strawberry ice-cream when I took my niece to Baskin Robbins today (shrugs). But I feel there are actresses with better legs and bodies.
Your thoughts about Saif in drag? He has a bit of a belly.
I told him to suck his tummy in when he wears a saree. He said, 'Yeah I don't have a toned, sexy body like you.' Imagine competition at home. I think he looks cute.
Source: Economic Times
The living room is "colourful and cluttered", as Kareena likes it, with books, paintings and a record player, from which Ella Fitzgerald songs float out. She's relaxed for someone between shoots, involved in the doing-up of her new sprawling home ("with an open kitchen and huge library") across the road, as well as Pataudi Palace that is now back with the family. Excerpts from interview:
After 14 years in the business, what would you go back and tell 18-year-old Kareena in Refugee?
I have no regrets. I did it with my heart and not mind. Right from saying no to Rakesh Roshan (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai), I did it on my own terms. I am ambitious but not overtly. Don't succumb to manipulation. Acting is my passion and job, but not my life. I used to cry when my movies flopped. I had a rough patch till 2006. I don't cry now. S**t scripts don't work.
I'm still all heart. But I'm more in control of my emotions, my life. At 20, it's okay to be in the co-pilot seat. In your thirties, you should be in the pilot's seat. I change every year. This year, I can courageously say no to bad scripts, even from friends. I've grown.
Indian actors take fame too seriously. In Hollywood, actors can watch a game, surf, take a five-month break without people wondering if you're pregnant or jobless. Here, it's like a time bomb ticking. I don't get that. I'd like to go to Portofino or the Amalfi coast instead.
What is your attitude towards money?
Lolo and I worked because of our passion, not to buy a car or house. My first pay cheque was Rs 2 lakh and I didn't cash it because I'd like to keep it forever. But while I may be in love, I can't survive on just that and fresh air. I need money for my lifestyle.
Are you good at investing?
My mom does it completely. I'm spoilt. Saif and I are a lethal combination for finances. (Gasps) We're like Laurel and Hardy. We have to be budgeted. My mom and Lolo are sensible. I know my money is in bonds, schemes, LICs, but I don't understand investing.
Is work different for a married actress?
My priorities are different. I'm not going to spend three months on a cruise for a film shoot, though this year I'm in Goa, Rajasthan, Hong Kong and Romania on work.
Does Saif have the same rules?
No, he can do any kind of film because he's the bread winner. But Saif never stops me. He understands we have separate identities. This is my priority.
Actresses take up other careers. What's your plan B?
Nothing. I didn't plan on marrying my sister's co-star. There is no plan B. Act till I'm 80. Travel, read, explore. Do three killer performances, see five amazing places (like the Northern Lights and Jerusalem).
If you could go back and graduate, what course would you choose?
Saif often says he'd like to go back to Oxford and get a degree in art history. I'd like to graduate in psychology from Columbia (laughs). I'm observant, I like talking about the mind and I have an elephant's memory. That's Plan B; more fun things.
What about motherhood?
Every woman has that gene. But I can't think of that now. Saif and I aren't ready yet. I'm an extremely committed and passionate person. So if I'm having a baby, I'll get into it totally. But it's Plan C or D.
Your parents divorced, Karisma is going through it, Saif's first marriage failed...
And yet, I'm not cynical about love. My parents are really good friends. They sit at separate tables at Otter's Club every evening, but at some point, they hang out. As far as my sister is concerned, I'm happy they parted ways and on a mutual note. I hope the kids don't get affected much. I'm sure he'll (Sunjay Kapur) be a good father and she's a fantastic mother. That's what counts.
Was it heartbreaking to see the kids go through it? The papers reported it as an ugly break-up...
It's not like that, but which break-up isn't ugly? And the kids... that's life. Things happen. You have to take it in your stride and be mature. Karisma is extremely dignified. I like the way the two have been dignified despite newspaper reports, for the sake of the kids.
What makes you feel love can be forever?
Because it's love. It has different phases, but the important thing is to enjoy each other's company and talk. When you can't talk, it's difficult. I feel Saif and I are best friends, but he always says, "We signed on as lovers, not friends." (laughs)
How do you keep that kind of body after 30?
I do a lot of yoga and Pilates. Though I just had a strawberry ice-cream when I took my niece to Baskin Robbins today (shrugs). But I feel there are actresses with better legs and bodies.
Your thoughts about Saif in drag? He has a bit of a belly.
I told him to suck his tummy in when he wears a saree. He said, 'Yeah I don't have a toned, sexy body like you.' Imagine competition at home. I think he looks cute.
Source: Economic Times
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