KATRINA KAIF EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Katrina Kaif recently made a low-key trip to the UK as the ambassador of Eithad Airways for their press conference. I was lucky enough to meet up with Bollywood sensation and talk about her acting, that huge hit 'Sheila Ki Jawani', working with Akshay Kumar, probe her about Salman Khan, ask her how she maintains her great figure and why she chose to represent Eithad. Katrina Kaif looked stunning throughout the interview, she was graceful, enigmatic and very honest.
IKONZ: You've become the ambassador of Eithad Airways recently, how did that come about?
KATRINA: Well they were looking for someone to represent the airline and their management contacted me initially. We talked about travel in great detail, my likes, my dislikes and what things were important to me as a working actress who travels a lot. We also talked about our concerns about travelling and we found that we had very similar concerns too. I really loved their vision of what they were trying to do. For me the biggest downside of travel can be that it can be quite intimidating and a lonely process, and that's something they hope to change. They want to make travelling much more fun, much more care-free and make the whole process a lot more welcoming and pleasant – which I really liked. Even if you look at their advertising, it's really uncharacteristic for an airline the way they have portrayed themselves in such a fun and laid back way.
IKONZ: Tell me more about the dance competition you've recently launched with the airline.
KATRINA: Well they wanted to do something that showed that the approach to travelling doesn't have to be so serious or daunting. It also fitted in well with what I do too and the type of songs that I've been in the last year or so, so they wanted to incorporate all that too. It was an interesting and fun idea that bought together the two things, including dancing. It was really fun as the advert was based on a song and the dance sequence in the advert was choreographed by Farah Khan.
IKONZ: Talking of dancing, that brings me to my next questions – your hit recent song from the film 'Tees Maar Kaan' - Shiela Ki Jawani' has done phenomenally well and you looked fab in it. Was the dance competition inspired from the hit song?
KATRINA: I don't think that was the sole reason for the decision but I'm sure the secret of any brand or corporation when endorsing is to intergrate the two. For any brand who has an ambassador it's important to understand what the two parties are about and incorporate them in.
IKONZ: As a celebrity you always have to be quite cautious about putting your name to a product or service, what was it about this competition with Etihad that made you want to be involved?
KATRINA: Well I think Eithad is one of the brands that I didn't take too much time thinking about or do much research over – because I had already travelled with them previously and instantly felt they had striking differences from other and their company is beyond dispute of their reputation and success. So, in that sense it wasn't too much of a difficult decision and of course our approaches were quite similar.
IKONZ: 'Sheila Ki Jawani' was, and still is a huge Bollywood hit and your dancing was amazing – how much practice went into the song?
KATRINA: We spent about 3 days practicing for the song- few hours a day really and it was a lot of fun. But at the time of practicing it's just a song really, there's no way of predicting which way it will go. You can aim and train as much as you want and hope it will become a sensation, but the truth is you just never know if it will or not. You can't aim for the success, but you don't know – and I certainly didn't know at the time that the song was going to blow up like it has. The realisation of its success was quite gradual and then I realised the magnitude of how successful the song was and it felt really nice.
IKONZ: What do you think it about the song that people like so much, apart from the catchy lyrics?
KATRINA: It's the type of song that all ages would like. Everyone can relate to the steps and imitate them, which makes it quite fun. There are so many kids that love the song too and they even try to copy the moves which is really nice.
IKONZ: You're constantly in the press, it can't be easy coping the media pressures?
KATRINA: You know that's quite a difficult question, it's one that has two answers really – one that I can kind of answer and one that I'm not even entirely sure of myself if I'm honest. If you have a film release then the press is important to market the film, to do the appearances, to do the press conferences and so – which is what you need for the success of the film. But then when you're in between of a release and have about 5 or 6 months when you haven't got a film coming out you ideally would like to be left alone, but you can't as that just doesn't happen.
Like, what are you meant to do – send out a legal note saying 'you will now not right about me for six months' (she laughs) – but no you can't do that. It is tricky, because really the Indian film industry is quite small and there are a few people that are written about constantly in the media. People can also turn around and say well you've asked for that by choosing to live your life in the spotlight.
I think like any actior, not everyone wants their every move or decision speculated by the media. Every move is given an opinion about by the media, when really those people writing the stories have no idea what they are talking about. I find it really funny how the media can give a list of how you're feeling, what you've done, how you've done what you've done without actually knowing anything!
IKONZ: It's probably because you being on their covers helps them sell?
KATRINA: Well why don't they write about cheery, happy things – instead of depressing things?! (she laughs)
IKONZ: Well I'm going to do the typical media thing now and try and delve into your personal life too! Your relationship status is always a big issue in the media – can you set the story straight for our reader. Is Katrina single or not?
KATRINA:(She smiles) I've always said from the beginning that I just don't comment on my personal life, because I just think it's easier that's why.
Sorry guys…we did try!
IKONZ: You were born in Hong Kong, and then lived a life in many countries – so how did you get involved in Bollywood?
KATRINA: Well I'd come for a shoot with Farooq, who is a leading photographer in Mumbai and still doing very well and I connected with Mumbai. I was 17-years-old at the time and really liked it there – I felt this sense of coming home. My uncle was in Bangalore at the time so the timing felt right. I started to gradually get offers for work so I just went with it, and it kind of just progressed itself without me even realising it.
IKONZ: Did you always want to be an actress?
KATRINA: No! I think it was very gradual as I didn't grow up thinking I wanted to be an actress. I wanted to be really random things. I'd come out with really bizarre and eccentric things. One second I wanted to be a stunts-woman, the next I wanted to do horse-riding – I definitely didn't want to do anything mundane, that was quite clear to me, but I didn't know I wanted to be an actress.
IKONZ: You're very stylish and seem to have this certain style about you. Is there anyone who inspires your style?
KATRINA: Honestly speaking I don't really have any particular persons who I look up to, or idols as such. Everyone's talented in their own right and everyone's beautiful so I didn't really aspire to be like anyone. I remember really liking the way Penelope Cruz looked and always thought she was really beautiful. So if we're looking at style I would say she's some I think has great style, and even her career choices are to be commended.
IKONZ: Would you ever pursue the Hollywood film industry if the opportunity ever came up?
KATRINA: No! I think everyone has a single amount in them of what they can offer and I think whatever I have I will use it for where I am now – and that's home in Mumbai. I'm not going to get up now and try and pursue somewhere new. I already came to India and that was quite alien for me at the time and I've settled there now. Hollywood doesn't actually excite me. I've received so much from India, so much love, so much praise, so much support from the people so I wouldn't want to leave that.
IKONZ: You've done a string of films with Akshay Kumar and your on-screen 'Jodi' is such a huge hit – you must really enjoy working with him. What's Akshay like to work with?
KATRINA: It's really nice. It's something that seems like it's been so many years now, so it's interesting what type of equation we've settled down to. When I first worked with him it was a little awkward – I was like 'who's this guy, he's so scary!' (she laughs), and I think he thought I was like an alien from Mars or something, by time the second film came we still weren't speaking as much but found our balance with each other and by the third and fourth film we found a really interesting equation which works so well. It's not like we're the best of pals off-screen and we talk everyday but we have developed a good friendship. He can just look at me and see my face and know whether or not I'm at a happy place in my life at that time or not. We do have a deep connection.
IKONZ: And…what's it like working with Salman Khan?
KATRINA: It's great…get used to coming late on set all the time, but I like it because you get to sit around a lot (she smiles)
IKONZ: What, is Salman always late for shooting?
KATRINA: Always – all the time he is late! When you look at it actually, me and Salman haven't actually done that much work together. I did my first main film with him, and then the second film we did was 'Partner', but I was actually starring opposite Govinda in the film. The in 'Yuvraaj' we probably only had about five scenes together in the whole film. I haven't actually worked a huge amount with him, but from what I hear from others he's always working very hard in all of his films.
IKONZ: You've got an amazing figure – what's your secret?
KATRINA: Well firstly thank you so much! Less than eating sensibly – which I know how to – but don't actually want to, I train. If I need to know I need to train for something then I do. I'm actually really bad in that way – like if I know I have two months before a film where I know my outfits aren't so clingy or revealing then I'll just chill out, laze around and not go to the gym, but if I know my outfits are a little more demanding then I will train really hard. I'm lucky enough to have a really great trainer, who I've got a really good connection with. In 'Sheila ki Jawani' I had to show my stomach, which I absolutely hate doing – I hate showing my stomach, we trained for 18 days, which was hard but we managed to achieve what I needed for that song.
IKONZ: What have you got in the pipeline next for Bollywood fanatics?
KATRINA: The next film I have releasing is directed by Zoya Akhtar, opposite Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). Then my next film after that will be with Imran Khan, (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan).
IKONZ: And can you reveal whether or not the rumours of you being in Dostana 2 are actually true?
KATRINA: Um, I don't know yet…
Hmmm we think you do Katrina!
IKONZ: Finally a message for all you fans reading this interview….
KATRINA: If I'm not mistaken I think all of my films have had a huge opening in the UK, so that obviously means either I've just been really lucky with my co-stars or that the UK audiences really love me, which I'm hoping is the latter so I'd like to say a huge thank you for that. The support that people seem to give me is amazing, it's definitely noted and greatly appreciated. It's great the response when I have come here in the past and I'm really, really appreciative of that.
Interview by Reena Combo
Photography by Ricky Combo
Thanks to Etihad Airways, Four Communications and Katrina Kaif
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