Katrina Kaif (Pics & Interview)

She grew up in Hawaii, moved to London and is now so happy that she has struck a good wicket that she has made Mumbai her base.One of eight sisters, Katrina was born to a Kashmiri father and English mother. She started modeling by accident when she was in Hawaii. She was 14 and she was approached for a jewellery campaign. After that she continued modelling in London.

Katrina Kaif admits that she is very romantic person and dreams far too much of romance and love. She is extremely emotional. "When you are in love, the person you are involved with should mean everything to you..." she says

Interview

She is a super model and more famous as Salman Khan’s girlfriend! But Katrina Kaif would rather create her own identity under the Bollywood sun. After turning into the most-wanted face of the ad world, the film world beckoned her. After her forgotten debut in Boom, her stunning face caught every filmmaker’s imagination and she landed three films. Accompanied by her Brit accent, and endless controversies, Katrina is confident that she’ll be able to overcome all odds.

You have Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya with David Dhawan. How was the experience working in it?

David’s film was cool. I am really looking forward to it. I have worked with a great bunch of people and I am really excited to see the audiences’ reactions to the film. David was much fun and really easy to work with, besides being extremely creative. I hardly felt like a stranger when I worked with his unit. He made the sets such an easy-to-work place. Working with Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen, who are much senior to me, was a great learning experience. Salman is very good actor who improvises a lot. He helped me a lot too. Sushmita didn’t have many scenes with me but she was very friendly.

The Hindi language must have been a problem?

As far as the language is concerned I’ve managed pretty well so far. I’ve been taking regular coaching classes to train myself in Hindi. I guess I’ll soon be comfortable with the tongue. I am also learning more about Indian culture and Indian cinema besides learning dancing. When you see my next film you’ll agree that I’m better prepared now, to give my best shot.

How was the transition from UK to India and later to Bollywood?

Professionally I started off as a model, with photographer Atul Kasbekar. Once I was accepted I received offers and did ads for LG, Coke, Fevicol… and the biggest one, Lakme! From then on, everything was smooth sailing. I got an agency, Matrix, to handle my work and get me the payment I deserve. This is unlike other models who are too scared to ask for the right fee for fear of losing their jobs. In the beginning I was very lonely, and then gradually I met some nice people and made friends. I’ve been really lucky so far, there have been no bitter experiences, or any regrets about being a part of either the modeling world or of Bollywood. Hopefully, that’s the way it will continue.

How was the transition from modeling to films?

The transition from modeling to films was very frightening because everyone in the modeling world knew me and respected me. In movies I realized that one has to be a success for one to be given any importance. It can be scary at times. Here hits matter more than talent. Yet, I’m in awe of acting which is a totally new and exciting world for me. I am enjoying myself, learning and growing each day.

But one hears that you regretted doing Boom, your debut film.

I didn’t lose or gain anything from Boom. There were lots of things that went wrong with the film but I think finally it’s the outcome of the whole thing that matters. I’m still doing movies and good ones at that. So, the whole episode is best forgotten. People who know me have told me that that wasn’t me that they saw in Boom. I wouldn’t do anything like that again. I didn’t know much about the film industry when I signed Boom but I didn’t bad mouth Kaizad, ever. I regretted two things, one, what I wore in the film and two, the tone of the film. But I wasn’t forced into doing what I did, so I don’t blame anyone. I have put it behind me and am looking ahead.

Today the trend of sex and exposure in movies has become so common. How comfortable are you with the sex-symbol image?

Well, it’s not my style to either wear minimum clothes, to strip or to even be comfortable with a sex-symbol label. I just want to do good work instead of sporting such meaningless tags. Sex sells, but to a small extent, not always. And this is what filmmakers have to accept. The exposure has to be relevant to the film and its characters and not forced for the sake of titillation. On the contrary, some of the greatest Indian films have been devoid of all these sexual trappings. I know my comfort zone in today’s Indian culture and society. I’ve decided that I’ll dress up in my movies like I am in real life. I love wearing summer dresses, trousers and cute tops, so I’ll wear them in my movies. I don’t like short dresses or skirts, so I won’t wear them. I won’t be covered all over but won’t be in a bikini all the time either. I’ll try and strike a balance. I want to do films in which the heroines are very well projected.

People think Salman’s association with you has benefited your career a lot. Agree?How does it matter?

I don’t know why everyone is talking about this. I am tired of answering these questions. I’d rather not comment on it at all for I don’t see its importance. I’m here to model. I’m here to work in films. And that’s what matters. I have made my stand clear on that. I don’t think dropping names can influence anyone. People can make assumptions but I won’t make any comment on my personal life. Yes, I do have friends in the industry like Anna Singh. I do take their advice on many occasions, but the ultimate decision rests with me.