*The one & only Katrina Kaif's Heaven*game;97 - Page 5

After a couple of forgettable performances, she silenced critics with a remarkable show in hits such as Namaste London , Singh is Kinng , and the most recent New York . Now, ravishing Katrina Kaif is all set to tickle your funny bone in Raj Kumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani co-starring Ranbir Kapoor. Excerpts from a breezy interview…

Raj Kumar Santoshi, who made a cult film such as Andaz Apna Apna, chose you for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, his first comedy after 15 years.

It's a great honour to work with Raj ji. When I asked Akshay, Salman and Ajay Devgn who the best director for an actor was, all three said it definitely was Raj ji. I am glad I got an opportunity to work with him.

Did comedy come easily to you?

I just followed what Raj ji showed me. I would remain on the sets to know how he envisioned a scene. Before every shot, Raj ji would enact my parts and Ranbir's, and we'd follow him to a T. In fact, Ranbir and I were competing on who followed Raj ji the closest.

Santoshi says Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani will change people's perception of you as an actor.

Raj ji is an actor's director. He has taught me the different ways to approach a scene, react, and improvise. He has shown me in a different light. The role is completely different from Namaste London or New York. I am privileged to keep getting chances to improve.

In your earlier films, you have played an NRI and in this film you play Jennifer, a Catholic girl. Do you think directors write such roles for you because of your looks and accent?

I have worked with the best directors in the industry, and if they write roles keeping me in mind, it's a huge compliment. I don't think an actor can wish for anything more.

What is the ghazab element you found in Ranbir while working with him?

We worked together for 96 days, and the nice thing about Ranbir is he doesn't take himself seriously. He has no ego hassles; he takes his job seriously. That makes it very easy for the co-star. His passion for work is inspiring.

You have worked with senior actors such as Govinda, Salman and Akshay. How different was it to work with young Ranbir?

I didn't have to say 'Good morning, sir'. Everyone fought over who will get to go home first. I didn't have to stay till late in the night for my shots. Because we are of the same age, I could say: 'Raj ji, please finish my shots first' (laughs).

Ranbir said the relationship between Jennifer and his character Prem is like that between Laurel and Hardy. So who is Laurel and who is Hardy?

Ranbir is Laurel and I am Hardy. He gives and I receive. In all my films, I think, I'm always at the receiving end (laughs).