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Kareena's fun filled interview with DNA Afterhours!
Editor's Note
Kareena Kapoor has visited After Hrs before, so when she came this week, a Diwali surprise come early, the interaction was both familiar and special ' the way a family festival ought to be. "I love Mr Snoop in After Hrs," she confided, right at the start(talking of the B-Town gossip column written blind that appears every Monday), before getting to the point:
"I want to know ' who writes it?!!"
In a world of superficiality and pretence, Kareena's directness is always both refreshing and endearing. We laughed with her at the guesses, and loved her for her honesty. She pouted prettily at our refusal to tell, those grey-green eyes mischievous. The comfort factor perhaps, allowed confessions ' hers and ours. So we sat around her and shared, a prelude to the warmth that the festival of lights brings every year.
Has Diwali always been a family affair for you?
Yes, Diwali has always been family for me but this Diwali is not. Because we are in London for the Ra.One premiere which is going to be on the 25th night. I'm travelling to Blackpool on the 26th because there is an unveiling there. They are opening a new Madame Tussauds there and that's where the exhibition is starting.
Are you going to be missing your family?
My mum's going to be with me. And Karisma is too busy with herself these days. Like you know, I'm not used to calling up my sister'it's always like she's either on the phone or she's with the kids. She's always been available to me for the last couple of years. But now when I call her up, her spot boy is like 'Madam shot mein hai'. And I'm not used to this. It's always like when she calls me, I'm busy. I called her once and her spot boy was like 'Main abhi phone karata hun'. I was like it's been two hours! So I told her 'Listen I'm not used to this, so you stop doing so many movies'. She said, 'What do you mean!' (laughs). She's looking fab.
Are you a mushy person?
(Thinks) I mean not mushy, but I like romance and love; everyone knows that. I mean I live on it.
So you like candle light dinners, flowers and chocolates?
Yes, I like all that. I like candle light dinners but in the snow, not by the beach!
When you and Saif are together, what do you talk about?
We don't talk about films. Like he's never asked me 'which film have you signed' or 'who are you working with' and I have never asked him that either. We talk about music. He reads a lot, so he tells me what he's reading. We talk about religion and spirituality. Both of us love to travel. We are not backpackers but we have a little bit of England in both of us. He's studied there and I've been brought up by my mum'it's been a very English upbringing. So yes, we have that in common.
Have you seen his films in the '90s when he had long hair?
Oh my God! You know, he sometimes watches those movies. He'll kill me for saying this, but sometimes in the night at around 2-3 am, he's flipping channels watching Ek Tha Raja' I am like, 'Saif, what are you doing?!' But Saif, I think, is one actor who, as he grows older, he'll be like George Clooney. I've always said this. He's like red wine. The more you keep it and nurture it, the better it gets.
Where do you shop?
London. I'm waiting to go there only to shop. I think retail therapy always helps a woman.
Does Saif ever come with you?
Not at all. In fact, he tells me, 'What is this every time you're buying Jimmy Choos and all!' And when he has to shop, he's like a shopaholic. He's like the male version of Paris Hilton. He is fab! He likes one suit in one colour, before I turn in another direction he's told the guy, 'Give me three in the same colour!' And I'm like 'How can you buy three suits, and they are like Gucci suits.' But he knows what he wants. He knows how exactly his trousers have to be tailored. And when he sees someone wearing a suit that's really bad, he's like 'Oh my God' ' he cringes.
Which Khan do you like best ' Shah Rukh, Salman or Aamir? We'll keep Saif out.
No don't. It'll make it easy for me. I can pick him. I think it's very difficult and unfair on my part to pick one. They've all given me such special films. Aamir is my favourite because he's such a wonderful actor. I've always been a huge Aamir fan since Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. With him I'm like always on guard. With Salman, it's more like more masti and fun. Like his personality. I think Golmaal 3 and Bodyguard have been the best films I've shot. I've had most cherished experiences. With Shah Rukh it's like respect for what he is and what work he's done. So I think I'm different with all three of them. I'm like a chameleon.
And with Saif?
(Laughs) Saifu is the best. That I should be allowed to say. He's truly unique. He's very, very, very unlike the three of them. He's an actor, but the way he's conducted his career and the choices he's made have made him so unique. That's what makes him the man of the world. He's just so aware of everything around, and that's what makes him such a strong personality. He has a mind of his own and once he makes his mind up, he's sure.
What is it you hold dear?
I feel God has been very kind. Whatever I have asked for, he's given me. I think more than what I deserve. Also, I believe everything happens in this life. Like what you sow, you obviously reap. Some things, of course, get carried forward in the next life, but bad karma normally gets balanced out.
What does your statue at Madame Tussauds look like' is it the Chameli look?
I can't tell you what am I going to be wearing or how will it be. I have seen the pictures. I am gonna see it live now on the 27th when I reach there.
We heard it took long hours'
Yes, we were there for about 10 hours. It was fun. They even take like a strand of hair and wrap it up properly, so that they get the hair also right. They even cast my hand because that also has to be in the wall of fame. You have to wear a fitted leotard kind of body suit, so that they take every inch of your body. Borderline sexy (laughs). I was a little embarrassed as there were all guys. At first, I was like I'm not going to come out of the bathroom looking like this... it just contours your body so graphically.
Are your Mumbai fans going to getto see it too?
They are not coming here as of now. I don't know if they feel Indian fans are as crazy as the NRI audience, like pay money to go visit a museum and see the stars. They are so used to seeing the stars around. Especially in Mumbai... Nobody gives us so much importance. They are quite used to it. Like in Bandra and all' Aamir (Khan) is walking on the streets and so is someone else' I mean it's too relaxed. It's kind of becoming like LA. Not bad.
How does it feel? Is it good?
I think it is good, because you need to have a little bit of normalcy. Everyone wants to go out and sit in a coffee shop.
Do you do that often?
I do like this cafe outside Karan's (Johar) office in Khar. I go there sometimes. I mean you can't stay there for more than 20 minutes.
Do you update your mobile status often?
Yeaaah. Mine is normally Saif (Ali Khan) and it's a little boring... all about work and love. A little mushy.
How was it working with Shah Rukh?
I have known him for ever. But that's the case with Salman and Aamir as well. With Shah Rukh it's a lot of fun. I am very very fond of his wife. So it's a very fun kind of relationship. I can talk to him about everything. So if I am like, 'Oh I can't do this scene, he'll be like you have to do it'. So he just treats me like a kid. And that's what our relationship is' it's of course admiration for him being the ultimate Baadshah in Bollywood. Shah Rukh is a complete visionary. He comes with that combination of brains and the energy that takes to execute it.
You're missing the Toronto premiere?
Yes, I'm going to London, Dubai and Delhi. There was a death in the family, so I wasn't able to be there for the promotions as much. The family needed me more at that time. Because of that my shooting schedules went haywire. I think Chammak Challo is promoting itself!
As a Virgo, are you a perfectionist?
Yeah, I think so, nah? We are like these perfectionists and want every thing to be perfect whether in terms of work or family. Like when I am with my family I am concentrating on them; when I am with Saif' it's a concentrated amount of time and when I am on set, it's all about my career and how I'm supposed to do everything just right.
Bodyguard made Rs 110 crore'were you expecting this?
150 crore. I was 1000 percent sure. I just knew it.
One more Khan coming up'
Aamir. My most favourite!
There's Saif too?
(Laughs) Saif is like my personal one. Itna pressure ho gaya hai. I always tell Saif there's so much pressure. It's not on the film. It's the fact that you and me just have to deliver a hit. But he's just too adorable. He's just so much into the movie. So I think we'll find a release date and announce it.
How do personal equations matter while working?
I don't think chemistry has anything to do with it. I mean Saif and I are in a relationship, but in Tashan and Kurbaan nobody ever said that we had a great chemistry. Of course everybody loved my performance, but I have always said this, 'chemistry is between the director and the writer'. I mean Shahid (Kapoor) and me never really gave a hit till Jab We Met. And clearly that had nothing to do with chemistry or relationship. We were in a relationship in Fida, but the movie didn't really do well. When I am onscreen with an actor, there is no personal conversation. Friendships help when you are going outdoor. It's the 'after hours'. So I look forward to 'after hours' when I'm outdoors (laughs at the pun).
What were you thinking during that entire size zero phase?
I just wanted to do something different, taking up a challenge that I can do it. Yeah, people are still following it.
Why do you reject Hollywood offers?
LA is too far. I shot Ek Main Aur Ek Tu in Vegas. I just didn't like it. It's not my space. Everything's too fast.
Do you abuse in real life, as in your films?
Not the Hindi gaalis. We are all very conscious because of Samaira and Kiaan (sis Karisma's kids) around all the time.
You enjoy spending time with them?
Love them I cannot live without them. They'll always be my first born. They are like mine. They are the most important aspect of my life and I have to take time out for them. So if I'm working till 6 pm, then I'll go over at seven, I know they'll be eating dinner at 7.30 pm so I can be with them till 8.30-9.
Are you the highest paid actress?
Everyone's making money' my producer is making money, my film is making money but what am I getting in return' not even a holiday ticket (laughs). Ticket toh de do, I tell my producers. I just want my producers to give me a five day vacation to Paris.
What is it with the colour red and you, in songs?
I think somewhere songs and me in red have always worked. Maybe directors feel that my skin looks good in red!
Source: DNA Afterhours
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