Kareena on winning award and forthcoming films 
By Screen Weekly, January 19, 2007 - 11:36 IST
Chatting up Hindi cinema’s golden girl for whom the New Year has got off to a sparkling start after an eye-catching star-turn with her idol Helen and her very first Screen award for a subtly-nuanced act in Omkara. For Kareena Kapoor the months ahead can only get better as her career accelerates into top-drive with a glam-glam Yash Raj production, the woman-of-substance Kismet and Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo
You’ve just bagged the keenly-contested Screen Award for Best Actor (Female) for Omkara. Be honest, were you expecting it?
I had come for the Awards Nite to give a performance. I was really excited about matching steps with Helen aunty...live...on stage. After my act was over, I sat down with Shahid (Kapoor) and Karisma to enjoy the show. I wasn’t expecting anything. It was a wonderful surprise when my name was announced.
And Kajol who was a strong contender too for the same trophy, reached out to give you a warm congratulatory hug.
(Beaming happily) Yeah, and it felt wonderful. Kajol and my sister have been contemporaries. She’s seen me literally grow up. I guess she has a kind of sisterly affection for me. She herself came up with a tremendous performance in Fanaa. When your own film family cheers for you, it’s very heartening because then you are convinced that all the hard work has paid off.
And Omkara was a lot of hard work?
It was a real tough act to pull off not only because I was surrounded by top-notch actors like Ajay (Devgan), Saif (Ali Khan) and Konkona (Sen Sharma) who kept me on my toes, but also because I did not have too many lines. I’ve always believed that dialogue is the biggest crutch for an actor but in this film I often had to emote in silence. I had to feel...and then make it real. This was doubly difficult for someone who’s a mainstream actor. But Vishal (director Vishal Bhardwaj) held my hand and guided me like a toddler. He was very supportive, right through the shoot.
Even before Omkara hit the theatres, Vishal was telling everyone that you were the “surprise package” of the film. So I guess this award did not really surprise him.
(Fondly) I wouldn’t be surprised if that was true. Vishal’s extremely fond of me and he wrote Dolly with me in mind. That’s why it fit me like a glove. It’s one of my best roles. Omkara is a film I’d want my children to watch.
Your sister looked really anxious for you on the Big Nite...
Karisma has these gut instincts. For years I’ve been nominated for the Screen Award and had always lost out. This time though she was convinced I would “get it”. That’s why though she normally never goes for award functions, she came for this one for me. My sister prayed really hard for me...And God heard her prayers.
Will this award translate into smarter career moves, better deals and never-to-break resolutions?
This is my first Screen Award. And it is a very big award for me. Being the first award show of the year and a jury award at that, Screen’s always been held in high esteem. Deep down I think I always knew that it was very fair, but earlier I’d always missed out narrowly in the final verdict. And in my disappointment, I would grouse that Screen biased hai and I was never going to win. However, on the night of January 6, when I walked up on stage and held the golden lady in my hands and felt that moment of glory, I knew, for the first time in 7 years, that I truly deserved her. Today, I can say with complete confidence that Screen is not biased towards anyone. If a person deserves to win, no matter how big or small he is, he will win. Period.
After winning this one your expectations must have really soared.
All nominees wish to win more and more awards. I do too, now that I have tasted success. But I’ve already got my Award of the Year. Now I can work towards doing better films.
If Omkara was all about performance then your ‘item’ number in Don was all about song, dance and glamour.
Yeah, and though I just love to sing and dance, that did not make ‘Yeh mera dil...’ any easier because I knew all along that I was going to be compared to Helen aunty who was always going to rate better because she’s always been the epitome of style, grace and glamour. Eventually Farhan (director Farhan Akhtar) resolved the conflict for me by pointing out that rather than copy Helen aunty I should do the number in the trademark Kareena Kapoor style. I took his advice and today ‘Yeh mera dil..’ has gone down in Hindi film history as one of those rare songs to be performed by two actors.
Two actors who came together to match steps to the chart-topper on the Screen stage...
Ever since I was told that I would be dancing with Helen aunty I’ve been waiting to perform ‘Yeh mera dil...’ a second time. It was a moment I wanted to capture...and preserve...I’m going to play this DVD for my children someday.
You’ve been saying all along that ‘Yeh mera dil...’ was your tribute to Helen. So how did it feel when she paid you a compliment?
(Laughing gaily) “Don’t fish...” those were her words and though said jokingly, they warmed my heart because at that point I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure I had done justice to the song or the moment.
It was very endearing at rehearsals to see Shahid and you alternatively assessing each other’s performance. What tips did he give you?
Shahid is one of our best dancers today. Dancing comes naturally to him and he’s a perfectionist. So pleasing him is not always easy. He however has one bit of advice that can be very reassuring. He insists that dancing is more about style than getting your steps right. Like Farhan he also would tell me, “Kareena, do the song in your own style.”
Both Shahid’s and your New Year’s resolutions appear to be togetherness.
That’ll always be my New Year’s resolution. I’m a very sensitive and emotional person. I don’t have too many friends but the ones I have are very dear to me. I want to spend as much time with my family and loved ones as I can snatch. And I have to thank Screen for making this year so special and giving me two wonderful “moments” to share and treasure.
Knowing how close you are to her, you must have been really disappointed not to have had your mother in the audience.
Yes, I was disappointed, but only recently she’d taken a fall and hurt herself. God willing, the next time I’m in the running for an award she’ll be there. She’s the proudest mother in the world today with two daughters who’ve been so successful in this field. She’s our only pillar of strength. I owe everything to her.
What about your niece, Samaira?
(Smiling) Samaira’s my lucky mascot.
Any more films with Vishal?
Sure, I’ll work with Vishal again. But I don’t think he’s still clear about what he’s making next. He should be ready towards the end of the year.
That should give you time to wrap up Yash Raj’s next that we’re told gets under way in April followed by Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo.
Yeah, it’s going to be back to work very soon. And this year I’m consciously trying to be very different in each of my films. Besides the Yash Raj film and Lajjo I also have Zoya Akhtar’s Kismet.
That’s the one starring Hrithik, right? We’re told it’s a strong, heroine-oriented subject.
Pretty much. And I’m really excited at the prospect of working with a lady director for the first time. Two ladies coming together - watch out, it’s going to be a lethal combination!
In the Yash Raj film, we’re told, you’re going to be seen at your glamorous best?
Yes, it’s a glamorous role and I’m opposite Akshay (Kumar) and Saif. (Musingly) I’ve done a lot of films with Akshay...
Five including Ajnabee, Talaash, Aitraaz, Bewafaa and Dosti.
That’s right. And this will be my third film with Saif. Everyone remembers Omkara but few remember that I was also opposite him in LOC - Kargil.
The film will mark the directorial debut of Vijay Krishna who’s written both Dhoom and its sequel.
(Excitedly) Yeah. Dhoom 2 was the hottest film of 2006. It was the kind of commercial cinema I’ve grown up on. Total masala... and rocking! A film I’d happily pay money to watch.
Vijay Krishna’s directorial debut should be very distinct from Lajjo.
You can be sure of that. And I’m really looking forward to working with Mani Sir again. His Yuva was one of my most memorable films and performances. And this time there’s the bonus of working with Aamir Khan. Just standing in the same frame with him should be a learning experience for me.
The buzz is that Karan Johar was also keen to sign you for his next home production opposite Saif and Abhishek but the latter has mixed the project.
I don’t know anything about this.
And what’s happening with the Rohit Shetty -directed Chashme Buddoor remake that Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt are reportedly planning with you and Shahid in the lead?
We were approached, but after that I’ve no idea what’s happening with the film. I guess they’re working on the subject. We’ll wait for a narration...
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