Salman Khan

Atul Agnihotri

Filmfare Awards

Varun Dhawan

Street Dancer

Akshay Kumar

She’s sitting in the atrium of a suburban studio, pretty as a picture, waiting for her Bharat to arrive so they can take some promo shots together. And while she waits, Katrina Kaif uses the time gainfully to do some interviews for her upcoming Eid release. Even when Salman Khan strolls in, telling her with a straight face, “I’ve been waiting for you all my life and you are sitting here”, she is all business, discussing the shoot and a scheduled Twitter chat. Watching Katrina in work mode, it’s obvious that she is at the top of her game. The first trailer of the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial has just released and she’s curious to know the reactions…(Laughs) ‘Madam Sir’ is a term Ali came up with for my character who works at an employment exchange, hiring men for an oil refinery, probably the only female in a male-dominated environment. For a woman like that to hold her dignity… her own… in the world today is tough, back in 1975, it was even tougher. Ali had some strong references for Kumud in real-life role models. When Bharat sees her for the first time, he likes her, but then she puts him in his place like a domineering man, and becomes ‘Madam Sir’ in his mind.The best thing about my friendship with Ali is that we don’t hold each other to account for anything. It’s not as if either of us feels bad if we choose to work with someone else so there’s never the burden of expectancy. I know he will come to me if he has something interesting. This time it was somewhat different because Priyanka (Chopra) had been signed for the role earlier. But this is Ali’s best script so far and Kumud’s character was just right for the person I am today. So, I grabbed the opportunity and immersed myself into the role. I had two months to prep and I used every minute of it. Bharat has been one of my most inspiring experiences at work.Atul has always been very supportive and really wanted me to do the film. And in the end, that’s what happened. Yes, Salman and I share great chemistry, but when I walked onto this set, I was very clear that the script demanded a different kind of dynamics between us and I had to maintain it. So, I would not have lunch or hang out with him. It’s different with an action film like Tiger ( Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai) where you can chat… chill. But here, I wanted Bharat and Kumud to appear like two people meeting for the first time and forging a connection. I hope you see that in the film.I’ve learnt a lot and have a lot to offer now. I’m excited to collaborate with good directors on interesting characters. I’m looking for opportunities like Zero and Bharat.The original draft, which was discussed two-and-a-half years before the film started, had a version titled Katrina Meri Jaan. At that time both the boy and the girl had double roles. There were two dwarves. But that script changed and evolved, as it happens sometimes, and what came about was a film in a different space and genre.Aanand sir (L Rai, director) who is a phenomenal director, was clear that my character was a struggling actress battling insecurity and heartbreak who used alcohol as a crutch to cloak her feelings and numb her pain. Despite the film not working at the box-office, I had the time of my life playing Babita. She was so cliched, so filmi! Who walks around in boxer shorts with a bottle of vodka in a hand? But as Aanand sir would point out, the challenge was to feel for this outlandish character and make her real.Everything that I bring to my work comes out of my life’s experiences. I try to find a way to connect it with something I have seen, heard or something someone around me has faced.I had to break before I could proceed to rebuild myself. I had to unravel and feel everything that had happened… I had to take full responsibility for my part in the equation, what I could and should have done better… And accept that the parts that I was not responsible for were not my problem. One thought that helped me when I was at my lowest was something my mom told me, “So many girls and women go through the same thing, you feel you are alone, but you are not.” That thought was very comforting.I’ve always been emotional. I’m a Cancerian and a sensitive soul. I’m not going to lose that or change that for anyone. But what I have learnt is that as a woman, you must protect and maintain your identity. Your sense of self-worth comes from within and not from another person. You come into this world alone, and you leave alone. That’s something you should not lose sight of.I’m not saying be guarded in love. No, love with all your heart. Being in a relationship is beautiful and I have a lot to give to a person. But I know now that nobody else gives you your identity.No, it doesn’t. Fifty per cent of marriages end in divorce and that’s not a great track record. But that’s not to say that you should be prepared for the worst. Hope for the best and hopefully everything will happen for the best. But you must understand that your value, your self-worth, cannot be dictated by how much attention and affection your partner gives you. The reins to that have to be in your hands.I have a separate equation with Ranbir (Kapoor) and Alia (Bhatt) which I maintain regardless of anything else. They have their own place in my life and as individuals I have great warmth and regard for both. When I meet them, I behave the way I feel for them.(Laughs) He is such a darling!Life can get a little heavy at times and holding on to grudges makes the burden heavier. If you can let go of the past, let it go. I have, because I want friends around me… I want happiness and positivity.No, Varun said I was the most interesting person on the social media but in real life I have blinkers on and I only work. I have to get back at him for that! (Laughs) The social media is a great platform to share your work and some other stuff with your followers.I was one of the last actors to join. Sometimes I can be stubborn, I get ideas in my head and it’s hard to get them out. But I’m enjoying it now.It was impossible for me to do the film because the schedule conflicted with Bharat’s. And I was so consumed by that film, that I didn’t want anything else to distract me. No regrets though; I’m at peace. Varun and I will do something else together in a good space.I’m in talks for quite a few interesting projects but I never get into details unless a deal is signed, sealed and delivered. Sometimes some projects become discussions which don’t materialise and then, when they go to another person, they get burdened because your name is attached to it. So, I don’t talk about a film that is under discussion.I’d love to do a biopic based on a woman who fought such intense battles, who has seen such heights and crashes. Actually, there are quite a few interesting biopics I’d like to do. But the only film I’ve signed so far is Sooryavanshi.I’ll be working with a director (Rohit Shetty) who has created his own universe, built it up from scratch. And I’m excited to be teaming up with Akshay (Kumar). He taught me so much at the beginning of my career. He was such an important part of that journey.I understand what you are saying, but in this case the heroine’s role is central to the story. I’m passionate about the work I’m developing, some strong female characters... that’s the path I’m moving towards. But it’s also important not to take yourself too seriously. Look at Scarlett Johansson, who along with big franchises like The Avengers also does smaller films like Her and Lucy. The right mix is some entertainment and some character-building roles.Raat Baaki was to be Aditya’s first film before Uri: The Surgical Strike, but it didn’t happen. It’s a cool script but I don’t think he’s reviving it. He’s already doing another film.