Kareena's New DNA Afterhours Interview

'Can't I just invite Obama home?'

That's actor Kareena Kapoor's candid query, when asked where she'd like to take US Prez Barack Obama given a chance on his visit this Diwali...

Gauri Sinh



Lets get the basics out of the way — that actor Kareena Kapoor is blessed with translucent skin, amazingly high cheekbones and cat eyes (in short, she is right up there as far the Indian standard, or really any standard of beauty goes). That she is considered B-Town royalty (not just because of her filmdom's-first-family lineage or the fact that beau, actor Saif Ali Khan, is actually a scion of an erstwhile princely state, but because she is considered to be among the very few in the business who can actually act, and the only one amongst the current crop of actors to have worked with all of the reigning Khans). She has an impressive portfolio of films…and ads — currently she is one of the top brand endorsers, and has also enjoyed alongside all of this, the reputation of being a distinct style icon in oft-over-the-top Bollywood.

You would think armed with all this, the lady would have not a few airs about her — after all, lesser stars have showed their hauteur in no mean measure. But surprise, surprise, the one thing we noticed about Kareena when she dropped by the DNA After Hrs office for the issue on Dhanteras, in this auspicious, festive Diwali week, was her unaffectedness. In casual jeans, hardly any make-up, and a wide, warm smile, our luminous guest laughed and listened and conversed with us for well over an hour…disarming us absolutely by her very down-to-earth aura and her absolute unpretentiousness.

"I don't use too much make-up," she confessed, when quizzed on her style secrets. It sets the tone for much in her life, we gathered, this refreshing simplicity, unanticipated amidst that larger-than-life Bollywood star aura.
Now that USPresident Barack Obama is coming to town, where would you take him, given a chance, we ask. "Can't I just invite Obama home?" her ingenuous reply. "I would love to invite him home. I'm a great chef, I'd cook some great Indian food for him, talk to him."

Kareena's love for cooking is an unexpected revelation, we quiz her on it later, to learn that she studied cooking in school for three years, and would love to cook Saif's fave dish for him (she hasn't yet cooked him anything, in case you're curious). He's non veg, she's strictly veg, but love triumphs, as in the movies — she will cook him his mutton curry!
Meanwhile, there is work and movie promotions to happen — Diwali will see her promoting her next big release Golmaal 3 in the Bigg Boss house and she is eagerly looking forward to that. Her Diwali wish? Like with all else, uncomplicated Kareena expresses her heart: "I want my movie to do well. And I wish my family, my parents, Saif, his kids Sara and Ebrahim could all be together. Saif's in London, his kids are in Delhi, my niece and nephew are in Delhi. I wish we could all be together — but then work comes first…"

What are you doing this Diwali?
I'm going to be on Bigg Boss. That is the only confirmed plan so far, because of my movie promotions and the tie-up that they have. So I am very excited to go into the house. It'll be fun. I'm very keen to meet Veena Mallik. She seems to dance very well. My plan is to ask her if she would dance for me. And my mom is a fan of her, "Naachti badi acchhi hai yaar," she says. And the next confirmed plan is that I think Tusshar (Kapoor) is having a party. So the photographers can land up there (laughs). Family-wise, there'll be evening pujas, Saif is in London and my sister will be with her family in Delhi. So my parents will probably be meeting me in the evening and then they'll be having some card plans… maybe.

No plans to fly down to meet Saif?
No…I'd love to go to London. Trust me, London sounds more tempting than even Saif. I just love London.

You've said that you've been lucky in love, but most of your co-stars also feel that you're lucky for them when it comes to films. Is there pressure to perform?
Of course luck is very important, especially in Bollywood. I mean, if you have luck by your side, it can take you places but eventually I think it has a lot to do with the script.

You are from one of Bollywood's biggest first families. So do you believe in the rat race — do you consider yourself a part of it?
Me coming from the Kapoor family has absolutely nothing to do with my profession at all apart from the fact that I do share the surname, but I don't think it's helped me. I've had my fair share of struggles in the last 6-7 years, probably more than what others would have because others don't come with expectations; they come with just a little bit of good looks and a little bit of luck. But whereas when you have a tag behind you, for instance my sister, my parents, my grandfather, my great grandfather, my uncles, my aunts, it's crazy. So the pressure is a lot. Everyone's attitude is like 'oh she toh has everything, she has to be the best'. I have never really had the pleasure of being an underdog but I've actually been an underdog.

So, the number one position does matter, right?
If you know you are talented, you will survive. What really matters at the end of the day is your body of work.

How do you view competition?
Competition is healthy, it's great. But after a point it becomes boring because it doesn't really matter. Ultimately it's your work that speaks for you… I'd be lying if I say I'm nervous about competition. It's definitely exciting but I'm not unnerved by it.

You have worked with all the three Khans. So will you have to go to Hollywood for a dream co-star?
I'd love to work with Leonardo (DiCaprio) but I definitely do not want to go to Hollywood as such.

Who's your favourite in Bollywood?
That'll be difficult… Let me play safe and say Saif (laughs).

The ring on your finger is really beautiful…
It is mine and it has nothing to do with marriage or engagement. But of course at sometime it (marriage) will happen. And as a woman, I'm really looking forward to it. But there are no plans as such. Like Saif always teases me, 'I'll have to call up your secretary and check your date diary'. He jokes with me, 'Every time I open the paper, I get to know that you have signed a movie. You don't even tell me these days, I get to know of it through the media!'

You've just turned 30. Everyone says that 30 is a big landmark in a woman's life…
Yes, and I am so happy at that. I was in Paris on my birthday — September 21. I thought it would be depressing but it was the coolest thing. Who wants to be 16 when you can be an achiever at 30. I don't want to be 16; I want to be doing something for myself, earning my money, doing my parents proud. And I couldn't have done it in my teens.

How are you bonding with Saif's kids?
Sara — Saif's daughter — is 15. She's a young adult. You can have a mature conversation with her. She's such a bright child. She's doing so well in school. And she is as beautiful as her mother. I am like a friend to her and I am happy being one.
Ebrahim is a stud. He has that Saif-like attitude. He'll look at you like (squeezes her eyes), 'Do I know you?!'

And Saif's mother?
I think she is a true Begum. She has always been very supportive. She's great and I think I'm lucky as she's always there for advice. She pampers me a lot. Her compliments are few but she always means it. So I like that.

You like cooking?
I love cooking. I'm a great cook. I have learned cooking for 3 years in school. I have never cooked for Saif. He tells me, 'Before you cook for me I'll be cooking for you. You're so busy that I have to come on the sets to meet you.'

Do you consult Saif on a role?
Yeah, I do. I'd be lying if I say no. I ask him like what do you feel. I was in Switzerland on a vacation with Saif and I had to say yes for Golmaal 3. So I spoke to him over dinner and he told me, 'You must do this movie for sure.' So actually Saif was the one who pushed me.

ahhahahhaha what would she talk about with Obama? the latest B-town gossip?

"You are from one of Bollywood's biggest first families. So do you believe in the rat race — do you consider yourself a part of it?
Me coming from the Kapoor family has absolutely nothing to do with my profession at all apart from the fact that I do share the surname, but I don't think it's helped me. I've had my fair share of struggles in the last 6-7 years, probably more than what others would have because others don't come with expectations; they come with just a little bit of good looks and a little bit of luck. But whereas when you have a tag behind you, for instance my sister, my parents, my grandfather, my great grandfather, my uncles, my aunts, it's crazy. So the pressure is a lot. Everyone's attitude is like 'oh she toh has everything, she has to be the best'. I have never really had the pleasure of being an underdog but I've actually been an underdog."

Totally agree with her! Kapoor name has nothing to do with her profession!

She would give him tea and gaze in awe until Saif arrives actually has a conversation with Obama 😆

Or she can talk about how much she Loves Leonardo Dicaprio and Jonny Depp! lol

Kareena talking to Obama. 🤣

And I hate it when people say they dont deserve their success just coz htey're so and so kids. I'm sure kareena's had to deal with a share of that. That's what she means by not having the privilige of being an underdog, coz the public really tends to support you if you are.

oh yeah, and i like that she respects the mother of his kids. seems to have an overall healthy relationship with the family, not too chummy, keeping the necessary distance to have that perfect balance.

Enycedoll I thought this question said what about Sara's mother, and I was like, uhh...what hte hell is she talking about? Going way overboard!