Kareena Kapoor is fun to hang out with. She reminds me of Blair Waldorf, a fictional character from TV show Gossip Girl. Like her, she was born into a rich family, so there is vanity. They both have a bitchy side which is balanced by a sensitive one. Both Blair and Bebo have a superiority complex but also good-natured centers.
Blair's biggest vice is her "insecurity" with regard to her social status, which often makes her an over-achiever. Ditto for Bebo.
But luckily for her she has a man, who checks her ambitious instinct. Here she talks about her beau's influence on her life, her rivals (where are they?) and the inevitable marriage plans. Read on for the politically correct Kareena. The real one surfaces once the dictaphone is switched off.
You have always believed that you are head and shoulders above competition. Admit it...
(Thinks hard) Not really. I know what I can offer, maybe it is because of that. And I am passionate about cinema. I have grown up with people who lived and breathed cinema and that has a lot to do with it. Acting is in my blood. I am very proud of being a Kapoor and I thank God everyday that I come from this family.
Lolo, too, was from the same family but she was humble. You don't seem to have a false sense of modesty.
You know, whoever knows me knows that I am very honest. I know what I can bring to the table. I am confident that I can deliver the goods.
If asked to name an actress you consider your closest rival, you'd pick...
The truth is, I think everyone is running a race. I am not. I know where I am. I am competing with myself. And if that wasn't the case, I don't think I would have films like 3 Idiots, Kurbaan, Omkara, Chameli, or Jab We Met. Also, the problem is, my closest rival keeps changing. Every year, a new name is touted. I don't want to name anyone, but I think in the last few years, I have been compared to five different names.
So let me name them... Bipasha, Katrina, Priyanka, Deepika, and Sonam...
(Laughs) I am not naming anyone... let me just say that all these comparisons have never bothered me.
Speaking of 3 Idiots, you had to know that the boys had the best roles, so what was the motivation for accepting the part?
I knew what I was getting into. I did the film because I wanted to work with Raju Hirani, Vinod Chopra and Aamir Khan. From what 3 Idiots was on paper, I could see that it would go on to become really huge. And for me the question really was: Do I want to be part of this film? Or am I just going to be part of films where my role has been great but they've not gone on to be huge successes? And besides, we have to start thinking differently. In Inglourious Basterds, Christoph Waltz had a much better role but that didn't stop Brad Pitt from being part of the film. We keep talking about the West doing things differently, but no one really follows it. Everyone is just bothered about the length of their roles, and how many songs and scenes they have. And for me, it's not about screen time. It's about being effective.
How much money did you really make in 3 Idiots?
(Giggles) Well, not even one third of what Raju, Vinod and Aamir made. But more than my bank balance, I am just happy that I am part of a film that has made history.
Are you in discussion for another film with Aamir? You visited his house before you left for your European vacation with Saif...
I went to Aamir's house because I hadn't seen him since his dad passed away. Saif and I are very fond of both Aamir and Kiran. And I would love to meet them again. Ours was a condolence visit, it wasn't about work.
Ok, I have to ask. You have worked with all the three Khans (Aamir, SRK, Salman). Who's the most fun to work with? And please don't be politically correct.
I think they are all special -- Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh, Saif...
Saif doesn't count. He is the boyfriend...
(Complains) No, no, not fair. Why should he be left out because we are together? Anyway, to get back to your question, I think they are all different and special in their own way. And that is why the Khans are still ruling the roost. No matter, who comes and who goes, they remain unaffected. I mean, see 3 Idiots, Love Aaj Kal, My Name Is Khan, and Wanted. Come on, guys, wake up.
So where does that leave a Bachchan, a Kapoor and a Roshan?
I would love to work with Hrithik. I think he is one of the finest actors in the country but surprisingly, no one is offering us films together, can you believe that. I am sure we will work together at some point.
But there's no stress there?
Not at all. It's strange that no one is even thinking of casting us together. I am looking forward to it, to be honest.
