India: Among other things, Katrina talks about the sizzling scenes that Sallu thinks are okay for her to do
Katrina Kaif says she hasn't slept in over 24 hours. And she's rushing straight for an event after our little chatfest. In between morsels of chicken salad, she discusses her upcoming film, beau Salman, co-star Akshay and more....
What's your frame of mind?
I am really, really nervous because it's not a film that's very high in entertainment, in terms of comedy.
All your hits were comedies.
Well, yes. Except Race, but it was high on glamour, action, dance, and it was fast-paced. Yuvvraaj is a drama. I would say it is a family film like Apne, during which, I felt, 'oh, there is no comedy, no item song...' but people loved Apne, and it did pretty well. They are both in a similar category, except that this is definitely the most lavish film I have ever done.
What made you ask Ghai to cast you in this film?
He called me when he was casting for Kisna; I refused. When I told him I wanted to be in Yuvvraaj, he told me it revolved around Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan. I was okay with that. Everyone has their own career paths and at the moment, I've got some really fantastic films, with strong roles, and I didn't care what my role was in this film. I just wanted to be in a film directed by Subhash Ghai. I don't know if he is going to direct again.
What makes you say that?
Because he is concentrating more on production. I just wanted to have a film directed by him in my filmography.
If Yuvvraaj is a hit, it will be a hat-trick. Worried?
You know, I shouldn't be. Yuvvraaj is not a film riding on my shoulders. It is not a female-oriented film but the funny part is, I still do. But I realise now that it is not the right way to think. You have to work hard at your film, and not worry about the outcome. You cannot fret about it 12 hours a day, which is what I was doing, and it can take the life out of you. Now I see the positive side. There's a shot of me in the film, which will always be one of my fondest memories. I am wearing a pink dress and running... for me that shot is reason enough for me to have done that film. It's a classic shot like a Gene Kelly film and I love that slot.
You have never been acknowledged for your performances. Why?
Because of the roles I have chosen to do. I have chosen to do light, commercial, roles. I have no misconception that I have been doing films with the intention of winning a National award when I am doing Welcome and when I am doing Singh is Kinng. Now in 2009, I am doing performance-oriented films. There is a Raj Kumar Santoshi film, a Yash Raj film and a Prakash Jha film, all of them are strong characters which will get noticed. I will be very disappointed if I am not nominated for any role in 2009.
Does it bother you when you hits are attributed to the luck factor?
I have always been a very realistic person. I think that's my strength. I think everyone I have worked with knows that I am very hard-working and professional. I don't come with an entourage and an attitude. Also, I know my weak- nesses and that makes me want to work harder. Also, I know that I have selected films that are, in my opinion, high on entertainment. C'mon ya, do you think I signed on Singh is Kinng thinking it will be a National award-winning film? No, I knew that it was a fun film. I selected that genre as it was the kind of space I was in, and I wanted to establish myself with a wider audience.
So you saying that commercial cinema is a necessity if you want to do multiplex films?
Exactly. If you go for multiplex-centric films, you and I know the actors, but when you go to a smaller towns, no one knows them. To us, the multiplex popular stars are big but the people outside the cities have no idea who they are. They only know Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. I wanted that audience to know me. And I think they do now.
Your reaction to being called a glamour doll?
I've realised that there is need to go beyond the glamour doll roles. I'm still going to do them. I love them, I'm young and if I can't do them now, I definitely can't do them when I am 35. But there's also a desire within me as an actress to do different roles.
Entertaining is a criteria for me too. But the definition of entertainment varies. For me, it is not slapstick comedy I am doing with Prakash Jha. I used to think of his films as the opposite of entertainment. I was like no, no, no... But when I heard his film, I realised that was a really narrow-minded way of thinking. Because his script is so edge-of-the-seat, and that's entertainment too.
You must be the only non-Hindi speaking actress in film history who charges three crores a film. How does it feel?
I love it. I think it's great. (laughs) I think when the unexpected happens, that is the magic of life. English is my first language but I have to say I have worked very hard on my Hindi. My knowledge of the language is now hundred percent in terms of under standing and dealing with the dialogues. The reason I don't speak Hindi in my TV interviews...
Very few actors speak in Hindi in their interviews in any case...
True. But my problem is that I think in English and it's not possible to find the right words to express myself in Hindi. But when you are working on a script. I know that I have never had to give a retake because of my line. The retake may have been because the shot was less on energy or whatever. I am extremely conversant and fluent in the language now.
Not many of Salman's ex-girlfriends have managed to rise out of his shadow. You are the only exception, no?
All I want to say to that is, write it on a postcard and send it to Salman. So he is aware.
I am sure he is aware.
No, no, I don't think so. (laughs)
Your chemistry with Akshay Kumar is spoken about more than your chemistry with Salman Khan. Comment.
That's because the kind of films I have done with Akshay have given us more chances to have a chemistry. With due respect to Shahid and Kareena, they did a lot of films together but the films didn't work. Then they had Jab We Met, which had a good script, and they were brilliant in the film, and everyone went crazy about their pair. Because they had a script that allowed them to do that. So I think that if the script fails, the chemistry fails. There have been some exceptions that you like some people so much on screen together that even if the chemistry is questionable, you like them together.
Any such couples come to mind?
No. You know, Saif Ali Khan told me that he loves seeing Akshay and me on the screen together. And he said it's the same thing he has with Rani. She is so like very real and grounded and Saif is very modern and English; I think the contrast works.
Salman is known to be a possessive guy. Doesn't he object to your sizzling scenes with Akshay and Saif?
I have not done any sizzling scenes that have crossed that line you know. I don't think I have done anything recently. But Salman always says that if news channels can show the scenes, then it's okay.
Salman has a problem with Vivek and John, and..
(Interrupts) And⦠and⦠C'mon, you can add a few more (giggles).
â¦And Shah Rukh now. You are working with John now, and are doing shows with Shah Rukh. Does that bother Salman?
I have just finished a film for Yash Raj with John. When we were in the discussion for the film, I was just bouncing the idea off Salman and he said that I must definitely do the film. He has known Kabeer (Khan) for many years and he likes his work. He pushed me to do the film. This overly possessive, insecure persona of Salman is not real. We are all professional and we are all here to work.
Why aren't you in his home production Veer?
The film requires 200 days, it is a very male-dominated film, and I want to do scripts into which I know I will jump into, and love the experience. And I think I can say this, when Salman was thinking of a director for Veer, I actually suggested the name of Anil Sharma. I genuinely thought that Salman and he would get along very well. And Anil Sharma's sensibilities when it comes to emotions are correct. Other things may be up or down, but his emotional line is very correct. And I felt Veer needed to have that.
Have you met the leading lady?
Of course I have. And I absolutely don't think she looks anything like me. It's not fair. She is very fortunate to work with Salman and Anil in her first film but she is nothing like me.
