I am lazy and selfish: Kajol

kajol holds forth on fitness, living life on her own terms, parenting and making yet another comeback in films.
At home, Kajol is the perfect daughter, wife and mother. At work, she is an actress in a league of her own, and remains unaffected by the stardom around her. After taking a breather from films post the birth of her second child, Kajol is gearing up to act in films again. She's lost weight and looks fit and glowing when I meet her at her Juhu bungalow. She is supervising lunch for her two children, Nysa and Yug, as I walk in. Excerpts from a chat with the fiery Kads:
You've lost your post-pregnancy weight. I took nearly a year to get back into shape in a gradual, healthy way so I could go around doing what I wanted to rather than putting my life on hold and being hellbent on losing weight! I followed a diet and regular workouts. Fitness has to be a part of your life, and not take over your entire life. I control my diet as I believe I have to take care of myself. I intend to live at least till I'm 100, so I should take care as I have some 70 years to go (laughs)! Having said that, I have my regular life, I go on holidays, etc. I am obsessed with fitness, not with losing weight.

 

 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan came under a lot of criticism because she hasn't lost her post-pregnancy weight.

(Snaps) It's stupid to have this conversation. Everyone has the right to their lives and to look the way they want to! Tomorrow I can put on 25 kilos... it's my choice, my body! She's at home taking care of her baby. As long as it doesn't affect her work, I don't understand why it should be under discussion.

Talking of acting, you took a long break... YES, I had taken a break as I had Yug, and I wanted to take care of him. I am now looking at working again. I hate to say this, but I am searching for the right script and till that comes along I am taking a break (laughs).

What kind of a script? It has to be a good script with a tight screenplay. The production house needs to be good too. It is as important as your role in the film. Contd. on Back Page

You are the only actress who - despite marriage and babies - is in demand. It feels good to know that you are still in demand and people still want to see you. It is great that filmmakers think I can influence people to that extent; I am grateful for that and hope to continue doing that.

How do you keep yourself busy? Looking after babies is a full-time job, trust me (laughs)! We also have a production house, Ajay Devgn Ffilms. I am not involved in the 24x7 aspect of it, but yes, I like overseeing everything.

Are you doing Karan Johar's film with Shah Rukh Khan next year? I have no idea about that. When I asked Karan about it, he said he was concentrating on Student Of The Year. Right now, he's not even thinking about anything else till the film releases.

Shah Rukh and you are still the most popular pair in B-Town. What can I say? I think it's got to do with the movies we've made together. They've all done well. There's a cinematic history that has contributed to the overall persona of us as a pair. We share a good comfort level and are also good friends.

Your friend SRK and your husband Ajay Devgn, supposedly dislike each other. Ever tried to sort it out? There is no problem to sort out, so I don't know what everybody goes on about. They are not bosom buddies who hang out with each other, but that doesn't make them enemies!

Ever thought of direction? No. I am not going to direct a film. Writing maybe, as I do have ideas and have thought about it, but not right now.

What about being a hands-on producer? I don't want to be any kind of producer at all - hands-on or otherwise! I feel producing is a very difficult job and creates ulcers! Maybe some people would like to have a certain amount of control, not me. It's too much stress and includes managing everybody's egos... handling my own is enough!

Your sister Tanisha is handling production for Son Of Sardaar... Tanisha is a hard-working girl. As of now, she hasn't come to me with any complaints. She's independently handling everything and I am proud of her.

Who is a stricter parent - Ajay or you? Definitely me, as I am with the kids a lot more than he is. I am the disciplinarian. When they want something, they don't have a choice but to come to me and it all depends on my good humour!

Does Ajay spoil the children? I wouldn't say he spoils them, but he is certainly more indulgent. Of course, he would love to spoil Nysa, but I think as a parent he has a responsibility and is very conscious of it.

Ajay and you hardly socialise. Is that a conscious decision - to spend more time with the family at home? Yes, definitely it's a conscious decision on both our parts to stay at home and spend time with the family. Also both of us are lazy, so we just don't want to go out! Going out at night and having a fabulous social life takes a lot out of you, and I don't know if I have that much to give honestly. I would rather give that time to my kids or spend that time reading a book or watching a film. I am selfish and lazy.

You are one actress who has never played by the rules... Everybody has their own rules, and so do I. I have always lived on my own terms. As far as mistakes are concerned, I've made them and acknowledged them as mistakes, not regrets. I consider my life a success. There's nothing that I would re-do. I've always done what I felt was right.

Have you ever thought of doing television? I have thought about it, but I am very picky, so it has to be the right thing for me to do. I don't know what kind of show I would like to do. I never plan these things. I sound ambitionless when I say this, but I feel that my ambitions are different from other people's.

You don't seem to have a clique of friends like say Gauri Khan or Twinkle Khanna. Comment I've had the same set of friends for God knows how many years, and it has nothing to do with a clique or group! Some are filmi and some non-filmi. My friends are my friends - they are not MY group. I don't own them and they don't own me.