“I would’ve done the love making scene even if Saif wasn’t there in Kurbaan” – Kareena Kapoor

By Devansh Patel -

November 10, 2009 - 11:45 AM IST

She is known as 'Size Zero' of the Indian Film Industry. So we decided, let's just call her 'Half a Bagel'. She is slim, sleek and sexy. Kareena Kapoor is taking Bollywood by storm since a year, and taking the paparazzi by frenzy whenever she is spotted with boyfriend and actor Saif Ali Khan. Off screen, Kareena, popularly known as Bebo in Bollywood, exudes a smaller-than-life, self deprecating persona. She always looks hopeful about her future, whether it's family, films or Saif Ali Khan. She is unique. She has the sort of untouchable star quality about her. In person, she is quite remarkably beautiful and lean. So lean that she seems almost to be a trick of perspective. The directors she's worked with routinely comment on her flexibility. The actors comment on her dedication and passion for films and her boyfriend comments, "She is very adaptable to the different worlds our directors create for her".

“I would’ve done the love making scene even if Saif wasn’t there in Kurbaan” – Kareena Kapoor

The promos of Kurbaan reminds us a lot of your elder sister Karisma in Fiza. How intense can you get as an actress?

Such is the respect this actress gets delivered. Since her new life with beau Saif has begun, and she is carefully selecting the right scripts coming her way, Kareena Kapoor has blossomed into the most talented and versatile actress of her generation. She is so real that she doesn't even hesitate to say, ''Why don't journalists ever ask Charlize Theron or Halle Berry, why they do a love making scene in a movie? Why is it always have to be us?'' when asked her about the intense love making scene with Saif Ali Khan in Kurbaan. Now that's what we respect about this bold Indian woman. But the lady doesn't stop there. ''When a viewer sees Kurbaan, they're not going to go back with just the kiss'', she adds. On her way to the Heathrow airport to catch her flight to Dubai, where both, 'Saifeena' (that's their new combined name) are busy promoting Kurbaan, Devansh Patel gets lucky to be talking to the Indian phenomenon at the right place at the right time - the phenomenal princess Kareena Kapoor. By the way, the time I spoke to her was half past midnight.

Well, Kurbaan is an intense film, its cutting edge and gripping too. Kurbaan is a new wave of cinema that's coming along. All our characters are intense; it's not just only me. Yes, my role of Avantika is the most powerful. So, you'll be surprised with our strong cast when the film hits the theatres.

I hope our sweet London journos haven't been asking you the same cliched questions, have they?
You know what? Everybody has been asking me more or less the same questions (laughs). So I hope you ain't going to make this one cliche like your London colleagues.

So how complex is Avantika, the role you play, in the film?
Avantika is a simple girl. She maintains her integrity very well in the film but is being used as a pawn in a huge game being played around by the terrorists. We've tried to keep Avantika real and at the same time, commercial. The role isn't a documentary types because let's not forget, it's a Karan Johar film. Kurbaan is a movie with a lot of repeat value.

Films have a shelf life of three days now. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It's a hit or a flop.
You'll be surprised that a lot of movies are declared a hit on a Friday itself. But sadly those movies are not really a hit. Today's all about perception and a lot about your PR. But some movies are going to do well even post Monday as well. Films like Love Aaj Kal, New York and Wake Up Sid have done well. The real test of films begins on the fourth day of their release that is a Monday. Unfortunately the media doesn't like to believe that. That's the test we all have to pass. Kurbaan falls under a category which has good music, good story, meaning, soul, good production house, good actors, etc. I'm sure and we hope it has a longer shelf life.

You think KJo is drifting away from his usual rom-coms? Would you expect a Kurbaan coming from a Dharma Production?
The whole idea is that when you are in a creative field, be it a producer, be it an actor, etc, we all have to experiment, we all have to discover and we all have to do different stuff. I don't think Karan Johar really wants to be a mediocre producer or a director. He has always pushed the envelope and he has always made great movies. If Karan doesn't do it than who else will?

How did you react on Saif's quote stating that he sees a lot of Sharmila Tagore in you?
That's a great compliment from Saif. Sharmila Tagore was one of the only actresses in Indian cinema to strike a balance between doing parallel cinema and doing a commercial entertainer. She has done Mausam and an Evening in Paris. I'd like to believe that I can also do an Omkara and a Kambakkht Ishq. I have constantly been doing roles in which I don't get type cast and I'm sure that the directors and the filmmakers know that now.

Love making scene cannot get easier than this, can it? An off screen couple getting intimate on screen.
Actually, to be honest with you, I would've done Kurbaan even if Saif wasn't there in the film. I would've stuck to the script which was given to me. I'm sure he would've done the same. So of course, this love making scene is a bit over hyped because we are an off screen couple. But I know one thing. When a viewer sees Kurbaan, they're not going to go back with just the kiss. The kiss isn't important. What's important is our message of the film. What's important are the thrilling moments in our film, etc. Why don't journalists ever ask Charlize Theron or Halle Berry why they do a love making scene in a movie. Why is it always have to be us? Our love making scene is done with aesthetically in a very classy manner.

Let me see if you can get three out of three here in this quick rapid fire.
Ok, let's play. I'm sure it'll be exciting

Saif Ali Khan's first film as an actor?
I think his first film was Parampara.

You got the first one. Now what was Saif's name in Omkara?
That's simple. Langda Tyagi

That's two on two. Here's the big one. Saif's first film with Akshay Kumar?
His first film with Akshay was Keemat

I'm sorry to say but you get 2 out of 3. His first film was Yeh Dillagi
Oh yes! Never mind. Better luck next time.

What is Kurbaan?
Kurbaan is a pain of intense emotions.