Kareena starting afresh....

So no Kareena after Omkara for a long time?

Besides, Ratnam's Lajjo which should be out in mid-2007," "I remember how excited I was when I had signed Ashoka with Shah Rukh. Now it's Aamir in Lajjo. It's every actress' dream to work with Aamir. I'm a huge fan of his. When I saw Rang De Basanti I was jealous because I wanted to be part of it," she says. Kareena also shares a very special bond with Ratnam, something they developed during Yuva.

Kareena has only a small cameo in Farhan Akhtar's Don. "People are going to be shocked when they see me in my glamorous role in Don. I'm dancing to 'Yeh mera dil'. A sharp contrast to the quiet and timid soul in Omkara." Kareena has given her dates from November to Ratnam. "I don't want to do any other film before Lajjo. To work with Mani again and Aamir for the first time is like a double bonanza for me. You know, I came close to working with Aamir in Vishal Bhardwaj's Mr Singh & Mrs Mehta. Now I'm doing another intense love story with Aamir and I can't wait to start."

Did the challenge of doing something so different scare you?

No. In fact, I've decided to take on only roles that challenge me. No more routine roles even in big projects. I don't mind saying no to anybody. After Omkara, I feel I've reached a stage where I need to build on my reputation as an actress. It needn't be offbeat or realistic. But I'm all for a film that goes into unknown territory.

I think audiences are tired of watching boy meets girl. They want to know what happens after that. If you look at recent hits like Rang De Basanti and Fanaa, they've all gone beyond expectations.

I'm changing my priorities with the audience. I've done enough run-of-the-mill movies. Until I get something as challenging as Omkara, I'd rather stay at home and play with my niece Samaira.

So you're starting afresh?

Absolutely. I want to do only the roles that challenge me as an actress. It doesn't have to be something that centres on me. But I must have something interesting to do. Even if I've to wait for a year I'm willing to do so. If I had the guts to start my career with Refugee, I can very well do something unexpected at this stage of my career.

But you had gone from natural to glam-doll in your second film.

That's because Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai happened to me after Refugee. I needed to be completely glamorous. Today cinema has changed. So have I.

You've become mellower now?

It's life, my dear. It's taught me to look at the brighter side. Today I'm happy being an actress. It doesn't matter whether I'm in 36 China Town, Chup Chup Ke and then in Omkara, all in one row.

Why was there so little of you in Chup Chup Ke?

Ask Priyadarshan. Thank god, no dubbing (she played a mute character). But Omkara has me speaking in a different accent and dialect. But Ajay and Konkona have a much tougher dialect than Viveik Oberoi and me. The dialogues are so well written by Vishal.

Do you like being a role model for urban youngsters?

I think youngsters like me because I believe in myself. I try to achieve what I have to. Youngsters identify with that. I'm ambitious. I came in the industry to achieve something. And, sorry, I'm not going to leave until I achieve it even if I'm pushed out.

Whom did you bond the best with in Omkara?

Konkona is such a lovely girl. We're still in touch even after the film. She's so casual in spite of being such a good artist. She's effortlessly good in her scenes. I was supposed to do her role in Page 3. Good she did it. I couldn't have done it as well as her.

Would you do Page 3 today?

I think I'm more prepared for it now. I regret turning down Shyam Benegal's film too.