In the last few years, Kareena Kapoor Khan has made it very clear that for her to commit a chunk of her time to a film, it needs to be worth it. And, it seems like her August 15 release Singham Returns fits the bill. “The fact that it is a Rohit Shetty film and that he had given me two of the biggest hits of my career. He is a brand. In an action film, it’s nice to have a good actor. Even an Iron Man franchise needs a Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s nice to be a part of magmum opus which I think people do expect of me,” says Kareena.
In her career spanning
almost 14 years, Kareena has been a part of many commercial films. “For some reason, people do expect my films to do Rs 100 crore. If that’s what they expect from every film I do, then fine I’ll do Singham Returns. But then another set of people will ask ‘Why is she doing films like Singham’? Everything seems to be under scrutiny when it comes to my films.”
So, do these commercial ventures give Kareena creative satisfaction like films like Chameli, Jab We Met or Omkara? “Honestly, when I was doing Chameli or Jab We Met, I was just performing. I didn’t think of being creatively satisfied. It’s just my job. You work just as hard on a Singham Returns or Bodyguard. It’s really tough to look really good rather than perform.”
Kareena insists that looking glamorous in a commercial film is tougher than ‘raving and ranting’. “The hardest thing for an actress to do is to look good in a bikini or walk out of the water looking glam. Comparatively, it’s easier to do Chameli and Jab We Met. At least, that’s the way I look at it. It’s tough to be a part of a commercial film…And I am very proud to be a popular commercial actress. It’s Bodyguard, the Golmaal series and Ra.One that have got me my fans. Being without makeup, crying and raving and ranting is easy but making people laugh is tough. We always get lauded when we are without makeup and crying with glycerin,” she laughs.
While everyone knows about Kareena’s equation with her Singham Returns co-star Ajay Devgn, not many know that the actress and director Rohit Shetty also share a very strong bond. “You know, over the years, actors and directors tend to form a strong relationship. My sister (Karisma Kapoor) worked with Davidji (Dhawan). Rohit and I have always worked together because he likes to write roles for me, including in Singham Returns. I trust him to do something special with me in every film.”
Kareena might be excited to be a part of another commercial venture, but wild horses couldn’t get the actress to try stunts herself. “I don’t think I have the physicality or the inclination to do Lara Croft type action. I don’t know why… I don’t even like watching those kind of films. Saif does. I like films like Revolutionary Road… those are more up my street. I won’t enjoy doing action… it’ll probably show on my face.”
Singham Returns is Kareena’s only release this year. Her priorities have certainly changed since she tied the knot with fellow actor Saif Ali Khan about two years ago. And, she doesn’t understand what the fuss is about. “No one seems to remember that my last release Gori Tere Pyaar Mein was in November. It’s not even nine months ago. I know everyone loves to dissect Kareena Kapoor’s career… it’s as important as the country’s budget. I feel important but (laughs)… When other actresses’ movies fail, no one discussed them. When Kareena’s film doesn’t do well, it affects the budget or the country. Saif and I wonder why people are so invested in my career… I wanted to get married and I did. Of course, my priorities have changed. I have worked for 15 years like a dog… I don’t want to anymore,” she says, adding, “I want to do other things—read, travel, discover new passions and spend time with my husband. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?”