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INTERVIEW - Kareena Kapoor: No more routine roles even
in big projects
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service
 Mumbai,
Aug 8 (IANS) Post-'Omkara', Kareena Kapoor is planning
new career moves and says she won't take up any more
frivolous films.
'I've decided to take on only roles that challenge me.
No more routine roles even in big projects. After 'Omkara',
I feel I've reached a stage where I need to build on
my reputation as an actress.
'I'm changing my priorities with the audience. I've
done enough run-of-the-mill movies. Until I get
something as challenging as 'Omkara' I'd rather stay
at home and play with my niece Samaira,' Kareena told
IANS.
Kareena, who is now looking for meatier roles, turned
down 'Page 3' but has no regrets.
'Good Konkona (SenSharma) did it. I couldn't have done
it as well as her. I think I'm more prepared for it
now. I regret turning down Shyam Benegal's film.'
Excerpts:
Q: Were you nervous about 'Omkara'?
A: Anxious. I just want to know how the audience would
react to the new Kareena Kapoor. Vishal Bharadwaj has
made me over completely. I feel I've been re-born in 'Omkara'.
Vishal's emotions are very real. I did another
realistic film, Govind Nihalani's 'Dev'. But I didn't
have much to do there.
Q: But you got tremendous accolades for 'Dev'.
A: I know. But I wish more people had seen it. Things
have changed a lot since then. Today audiences are far
more open to new cinematic experiences. Whether it's
an out and out entertainer like 'Don' or an intense
gripping drama like 'Omkara', the audience is ready
for any kind of new experience.
Q: What preparations did you make for 'Omkara'?
A: I was definitely anxious during the first few days.
But Vishal made it easier for me. You know I don't
believe in preparation. But I did one thing for 'Omkara'
that I had never done before. I gave all my attention
to it. This is the first time I've done only one film
at a time. I had all the time to focus on my
character, make it more real than anything I've done.
Q: You worked with new co-stars.
A: Yes, Saif and I have only a couple of scenes
together. We had worked together in 'LOC'. My co-star
in 'Omkara' Ajay Devgan is a fabulous person. I know
him from my childhood when he was my sister's co-star.
Ajay was involved in the film's production in every
way possible. I had most of my scenes with him. Ajay
made everything so much easier for me.
Q: Did the challenge of doing something so
different scare you?
A: No. In fact, I've decided to take on only roles
that challenge me. No more routine roles even in big
projects. I don't mind saying no to anybody. After 'Omkara',
I feel I've reached a stage where I need to build on
my reputation as an actress. It needn't be offbeat or
realistic. But I'm all for a film that goes into
unknown territory.
I think audiences are tired of watching boy meets
girl. They want to know what happens after that. If
you look at recent hits like 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Fanaa',
they've all gone beyond expectations.
I'm changing my priorities with the audience. I've
done enough run-of-the-mill movies. Until I get
something as challenging as 'Omkara', I'd rather stay
at home and play with my niece Samaira.
Q: So you're starting afresh?
A: Absolutely. I want to do only the roles that
challenge me as an actress. It doesn't have to be
something that centres on me. But I must have
something interesting to do. Even if I've to wait for
a year I'm willing to do so. If I had the guts to
start my career with 'Refugee', I can very well do
something unexpected at this stage of my career.
Q: But you had gone from natural to glam-doll in
your second film.
A: That's because 'Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai' happened to
me after 'Refugee'. I needed to be completely
glamorous. Today cinema has changed. So have I.
Q: You've become mellower now?
A: It's life, my dear. It's taught me to look at the
brighter side. Today I'm happy being an actress. It
doesn't matter whether I'm in '36 China Town', 'Chup
Chup Ke' and then in 'Omkara', all in one row.
Q: Why was there so little of you in 'Chup Chup Ke'?
A: Ask Priyadarshan. Thank god, no dubbing (she played
a mute character). But 'Omkara' has me speaking in a
different accent and dialect. But Ajay and Konkona
have a much tougher dialect than Viveik Oberoi and me.
The dialogues are so well written by Vishal.
Q: Do you like being a role model for urban
youngsters?
A: I think youngsters like me because I believe in
myself. I try to achieve what I have to. Youngsters
identify with that. I'm ambitious. I came in the
industry to achieve something. And, sorry, I'm not
going to leave until I achieve it even if I'm pushed
out.
Q: Whom did you bond the best with in 'Omkara'?
A: Konkona is such a lovely girl. We're still in touch
even after the film. She's so casual in spite of being
such a good artist. She's effortlessly good in her
scenes. I was supposed to do her role in 'Page 3'.
Good she did it. I couldn't have done it as well as
her.
Q: Would you do 'Page 3' today?
A: I think I'm more prepared for it now. I regret
turning down Shyam Benegal's film too.
Q: So no Kareena after 'Omkara' for a long time?
A; I'm listening to scripts. And I have a cameo in
Farhan Akhtar's 'Don'. I had a ball shooting for it. I
loved dancing to Helen aunty's song. No one can match
up to her.
Q: You just went to Antwerp for a show. Do you
think there's an audience for live concerts?
A: Of course, there is! They're crazy about us in the
US, Canada and the UK. Our last concert Rock Stars
didn't do that well but there were many reasons for
that.
Q: How's your sister Karisma doing?
A: She's doing well. She's in Mumbai with her baby.
She's open to hearing scripts. She wants to play
power-packed roles in slightly offbeat films. She's
looking her best these days. Pencil-thin and ready to
face the camera.
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