Do you ever see Shahid and you coming together?
I am professional, and I am sure Shahid is as well. And I don't see why we shouldn't work together, if there is a good script, and if we both have good roles.
What's happening to Milenge Milenge, an old commitment?
It's like a seven-year-old film. I just want it to release for Satishji (Kaushik) and Boneyji's (Kapoor) sake, so they can get out of the stress. (shrugs) But it is an old film.
What's the status of Saif's home production Agent Vinod starring you and Saif?
It is definitely happening. Agent Vinod is the kind of film that requires of lot of pre-production, which is happening right now. It's not a love story. It will be shot at seven different locations...and also the way Saif functions, unless there is a locked script, he doesn't get onto the set. He doesn't care if it takes, one, two or three years. So many times, Zahid (her manager) will come and say, 'Arre, this one has signed so many films. And that one is doing three films' And Saif says, "I don't care." He functions very differently. He says he isn't running a race...
That's something you've picked up from him...
Yes. You cannot imagine, how much he has taught me professionally. He has taught me to approach my work differently. He'd tell me, 'Stop bothering about what everyone else is doing. How can it matter to you? You should only be interested in what you are doing.' And that is what he does. And he's very happy and content professionally.
Any fear of you and Saif coming together in Agent Vinod? Your pair in Tashan and Kurbaan didn't really click.
Not at all. I think films run on the basis of the script and not the pairing. I mean star status and publicity can get you a opening but beyond that, the film has to work.
So what went wrong with Kurbaan?
Maybe there was something wrong in the screenplay or whatever but I still feel that Rensil and Karan made a brave, amazing film. And above everything else, I think it is one of my best performances. I won most of the awards for Kurbaan, so it is a film I will never regret.
When in need for career advice, who are you most likely to turn to?
I ask my sister. I definitely ask Saif (he has a great script sense) and my secretary Zahid. These people's opinion matters but ultimately, it is my own decision. But I do consider what Saif says, a lot because he can instantly tell me whether the film will work or not.
I hate reading, and Saif loves to read, and recently he wasn't getting sleep he said, 'Let me read this script out to you.' I won't tell you which film, but he finished reading it at 5.30 am, and shut it and said, 'According to me -- for an actress like you -- don't even think of this." He said don't do a film because you want to prove yourself as an actress. Another important thing he has taught me is: 'Don't to do a film because I don't do it, then some 'X' will do it, and you don't want 'X' to do that film. If someone else does it, good for them but you should do a film for yourself.
And if you don't see yourself in the part, forget it. Even if that film goes on to become a huge hit, you shouldn't bother because you don't want to be that character.' I love what he said, and I am going by that. That's one thing I truly follow, whenever I'm being narrated a script.
What is happening to Race 2? Are you and Saif still doing it?
As of now, it's still in scripting stages and technically, only Saif is part of it. I am going to hear the script but at the end of the day, I think Saif and I need to draw a line about how many films we will do together. As on now, there is just Agent Vinod. I will have two releases this year. Stepmom and Golmaal 3. And next year, I have Ra1 and Agent Vinod.
A lot is said and written about you and Saif. Do you regret making your relationship public?
I am known through my roles, not my personal life, and I don't want people to confuse the two. And I don't want to be caught up in my image. My fans want to know about my life and that's okay, up to a limit. If I am seeing someone, I don't see why I should hide it. And love is celebrating. It is ridiculous to hide your relationship. If I hide the fact that I am seeing someone, then I am disrespecting my man and my relationship.
Ever so often, there are rumours of you and Saif having had a secret nikaah at Pataudi. Your comment?
We have been together for two-and-half years now. We are very happy. Marriage will happen, but it hasn't happened. At some point, we are going to settle down but we don't know when. And catch me doing anything secretly! Anything about my life has been so much in the open. Why would I break my record and go have a hush-hush wedding? I am the last unmarried Kapoor girl in the family and I want a grand wedding... I want to be a beautiful bride but right now, I am too busy being a bride on the big screen.
Saif once told me that he is ready to get married but that it wouldn't be fair to you because like it or not, an actress' stock gets affected.
That's why I love him so much more.
