Hopefully, I will act till I’m 80: Kareena Kapoor
There was a time when Kareena Kapoor was seen as the girl for every festival, with RA.One creating Diwali dhamaka and 3 Idiots bringing Christmas cheer into the theatres. She reminds you that she also had a Singham 2 opening on Independence Day but Bajrangi Bhaijaan is her first Eid release.
“Bodyguard wasn’t officially an Eid attraction but it was Salman’s sister Baby’s (Alvira Khan) first film as a producer. And I did a Fevicol se for Dabangg 2 which was his brother Arbaaz’s directorial debut. Now, I’m in Salman’s first production,” she exults.
Buzz is, the film revolves around Salman and six-year-old Harshali Malhotra, who plays the lost Pakistani girl Munni. Kareena, a school teacher in Chandni Chowk and Pavan’s (Salman’s character) conscience, is doing a special appearance for her Khan dost. “Every publicity is good publicity and controversies help too,” she says, laughing off the speculation.
Given the films in her kitty, from Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Udta Punjab to R Balki’s next, in which she plays a career-oriented corporate wife with a house husband, it seems that the glamorous, commercial Hindi film heroine now wants to put her career on a different track. “You forgot Chameli which I did when I was only 21. And Omkara in which I played a desi Desdemona.
Yes, over the last two years I’ve chosen to be a part of only commercial successes. I’d just got married, wanted time to travel and be home with my husband, so I opted to do just one-two films a year,” she reasons.
But now that she’s settled, she wants to work with new, interesting directors like Kabir Khan, Abhishek Chaubey and Balki. “After 15 years, I’ve done the rounds with all the Khans, worked with most directors three-four times and now it’s time to get out of my comfort zone. But if Rohit Shetty comes for even the sixth time, I won’t say no. He’s my lucky mascot and I love masala movies,” she admits.
Kareena’s happily married. Would she recommend marriage to her house husband, Arjun Kapoor? “I’d recommend marriage to everyone. But Arjun is charming and good-looking so for the moment, I’d tell him to enjoy the young female attention. There’s a long time yet to get married,” she laughs.
Kareena herself was once opposed to making her live-in relationship with Saif Ali Khan official, dismissing marriage as a piece of paper. Today, when her cousin, Ranbir Kapoor, and his livein partner Katrina Kaif are in the same situation, what advice would she give them? “I don’t like giving advice since I don’t like taking advice from anyone,” she retorts, recalling how everyone told her not get married, reasoning that in the Indian film industry, youth matters and she should stay single.
“But I followed my heart and am still working. I’d tell Ranbir to do what he thinks best and as his sister, I’ll always support him.” Has she changed her mind about marriage today? Even Saif has admitted that it’s important.
“It is,” she nods. “Every woman should have wholesome life. Today, you can work even after marriage and have babies at 39. My mother-inlaw (Sharmila Tagore) was working even after three children, she still is. After marriage, love becomes bigger, better. There’s greater understanding and respect. Saif admires me for being a working woman. A partner should help you fly. Saif’s perfect.” She points out that she’s given a lot of time to the marriage, in fact to every relationship. “I can’t breathe without love. It gives me energy, a feeling of belonging, the need to go out and conquer the world,” she says.
Shahid Kapoor has just tied the knot with Mira Rajput and Kareena wishes the couple a life full of happiness. “I see contentment on Shahid’s face. He’s given some wonderful performances and is content with his career. It’s a perfect time for him to get married. He wouldn’t have taken this decision unless he was sure. I know he will make a wonderful husband because he is a wonderful person,” she says. Would she want Saif to make a film for her?
“I’ll never tell him to produce a film for me!” she exclaims. “A husband and wife should not work together much. Saif takes his own production calls, and I have no interest in it. My passion is acting.”
But as an RK girl, wouldn’t she want to revive the family banner? “I hope Ranbir will,” she quips. Every few months, there’re rumours of her being pregnant and quitting.“I will quit the day it’s The End on the tomb, I’ll dance to the grave,” she laughs. “Acting is in my blood. Hopefully, I will act till I’m 80. I’m not ready for motherhood yet, not for two years. The day I’m ready, I won’t hide it.”
Meanwhile, she shares a great rapport with Saif’s kids. “Sara is so bright, doing so well at the University,” she beams. “Ibrahim is a smasher, so good-looking, a perfect mix of Saif and Amrita.”
“Bodyguard wasn’t officially an Eid attraction but it was Salman’s sister Baby’s (Alvira Khan) first film as a producer. And I did a Fevicol se for Dabangg 2 which was his brother Arbaaz’s directorial debut. Now, I’m in Salman’s first production,” she exults.
Buzz is, the film revolves around Salman and six-year-old Harshali Malhotra, who plays the lost Pakistani girl Munni. Kareena, a school teacher in Chandni Chowk and Pavan’s (Salman’s character) conscience, is doing a special appearance for her Khan dost. “Every publicity is good publicity and controversies help too,” she says, laughing off the speculation.
“Sure, I won’t break into a song in New York or London because it’s different from most Salman films. It has direction and drama. It’s one of his best, if I may say so.”
Given the films in her kitty, from Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Udta Punjab to R Balki’s next, in which she plays a career-oriented corporate wife with a house husband, it seems that the glamorous, commercial Hindi film heroine now wants to put her career on a different track. “You forgot Chameli which I did when I was only 21. And Omkara in which I played a desi Desdemona.
Yes, over the last two years I’ve chosen to be a part of only commercial successes. I’d just got married, wanted time to travel and be home with my husband, so I opted to do just one-two films a year,” she reasons.
But now that she’s settled, she wants to work with new, interesting directors like Kabir Khan, Abhishek Chaubey and Balki. “After 15 years, I’ve done the rounds with all the Khans, worked with most directors three-four times and now it’s time to get out of my comfort zone. But if Rohit Shetty comes for even the sixth time, I won’t say no. He’s my lucky mascot and I love masala movies,” she admits.
Kareena’s happily married. Would she recommend marriage to her house husband, Arjun Kapoor? “I’d recommend marriage to everyone. But Arjun is charming and good-looking so for the moment, I’d tell him to enjoy the young female attention. There’s a long time yet to get married,” she laughs.
Kareena herself was once opposed to making her live-in relationship with Saif Ali Khan official, dismissing marriage as a piece of paper. Today, when her cousin, Ranbir Kapoor, and his livein partner Katrina Kaif are in the same situation, what advice would she give them? “I don’t like giving advice since I don’t like taking advice from anyone,” she retorts, recalling how everyone told her not get married, reasoning that in the Indian film industry, youth matters and she should stay single.
“But I followed my heart and am still working. I’d tell Ranbir to do what he thinks best and as his sister, I’ll always support him.” Has she changed her mind about marriage today? Even Saif has admitted that it’s important.
“It is,” she nods. “Every woman should have wholesome life. Today, you can work even after marriage and have babies at 39. My mother-inlaw (Sharmila Tagore) was working even after three children, she still is. After marriage, love becomes bigger, better. There’s greater understanding and respect. Saif admires me for being a working woman. A partner should help you fly. Saif’s perfect.” She points out that she’s given a lot of time to the marriage, in fact to every relationship. “I can’t breathe without love. It gives me energy, a feeling of belonging, the need to go out and conquer the world,” she says.
Shahid Kapoor has just tied the knot with Mira Rajput and Kareena wishes the couple a life full of happiness. “I see contentment on Shahid’s face. He’s given some wonderful performances and is content with his career. It’s a perfect time for him to get married. He wouldn’t have taken this decision unless he was sure. I know he will make a wonderful husband because he is a wonderful person,” she says. Would she want Saif to make a film for her?
“I’ll never tell him to produce a film for me!” she exclaims. “A husband and wife should not work together much. Saif takes his own production calls, and I have no interest in it. My passion is acting.”
But as an RK girl, wouldn’t she want to revive the family banner? “I hope Ranbir will,” she quips. Every few months, there’re rumours of her being pregnant and quitting.“I will quit the day it’s The End on the tomb, I’ll dance to the grave,” she laughs. “Acting is in my blood. Hopefully, I will act till I’m 80. I’m not ready for motherhood yet, not for two years. The day I’m ready, I won’t hide it.”
Meanwhile, she shares a great rapport with Saif’s kids. “Sara is so bright, doing so well at the University,” she beams. “Ibrahim is a smasher, so good-looking, a perfect mix of Saif and Amrita.”
