Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor has denied reports that she had a quiet nikaah with Saif Ali Khan in Pataudi village. Says the glamour girl: “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.
Asked whether it was Saif who thought that it would not be fair to her to marry now because an actress's stock gets affected, Kareena replied: “That's why I love him so much more.”
Excerpts from her interview given to a magazine:
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.
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.
