29 August,2010 07:22 AM IST | | Rachana Trivedi
That's actor Kunal Khemu's response to the question, did Kareena Kapoor recommend you for Golmaal 3? That Kareena is seeing Saif Ali Khan, who is Soha's brother, who Khemu is seeing, is only coincidental
From the talented pre-teen who played the young Ajay Devgn in Zakhm, Kunal Khemu has metamorphosed into a hero, with films like Kalyug and Traffic Signal to his credit. But while Khemu's histrionic abilities are no longer in question, luck did not exalt him into the big league. Yet, that is. Forthcoming big gunner Golmaal 3, might just be the shot in the arm his career needs.
Actor Kunal Khemu with actress-girlfriend Soha Ali Khan Pataudi
Khemu is all but bouncing off the walls in excitement. "I have done comedy before, but Golmaal 3 is different. It's a well-written script, and my character is delightfully eccentric." Eccentric enough for Khemu to want to chop off his trademark locks. "Yes, I altered my look for the film on Rohit Shetty's (director) request."
Khemu doesn't discount the possibility of appearing in a romantic movie next, alongside brand new girlfriend Soha Ali Khan Pataudi. However, he adds a coda: "We are individuals, and actors. I might like a script but she may not, and vice versa. We won't do a film together just because we are seeing each other."
Prod him a bit, and Khemu reveals how his relationship with Pataudi began. "We did Dhoondte Reh Jaoge and 99 together, and speculation began almost immediately. But honestly, at that time, we weren't seeing each other." He goes on to explain: "See, at shoots and on outdoor locations, friendship unfolding between actors is natural. Then, you go out for movies or dinners ufffd and the same happened with us. Honestly, it was a slow process. I respect Soha as an actor, and for being the person she is; and it's our friendship that grew into a relationship."
Khemu says the romance finally took off only after both films were completed; by which time he could not retract denials the couple had made about their relationship. "I could not call people up and say: 'Hey, three months ago you asked me a question about our relationship. Well, now, I am saying that I am seeing her,'" he smiles.u00a0
Thanks to her, the actor also has a great new gang to hang out with. "It is difficult to catch up with Saif (Soha's brother) and Kareena (Saif's girlfriend) because they have busy schedules. But once in a while we meet for dinner. I am fond of them. Saif is a great guy. I got to know Kareena during Golmaal 3; she is a terrific actress and a wonderful person."
Ask him if reports about Kapoor recommending him for Golmaal 3 are true, and he brushes it aside as loose talk. "It's not true. Though I don't think that it's necessarily a bad thing. If you like an actor, you can recommend him. But in this case, Rohit made the choice."
Bollywood News Service
