Katrina’s film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani may have released last Friday, but the actress can’t stop gushing about the film. “It is a fun-filled love story. The USP of the film is that an actor, playing a serious role in the film can also make audiences laugh. It is a love story but a family film nonetheless,” says the actress, who has learnt the tricks of the trade and has mastered the art of filmy promotions now.
When Rajkumar Santoshi approached Katrina for the role, she said yes, despite the date issues. “I could not say no to a director of his calibre. During the shooting of the film, he told me that he wants me in a natural look. That is why I have shot some scenes in the film without any make-up at all.”
Working with both, the acclaimed director and young turk Ranbir Kapoor, was fun and interesting for Katrina, “I had heard a lot about Santoshiji from my friends… about how strict and reserved he was. But I did not feel that at all. I always found him in a fun and lively mood on the sets. I learned a lot from him. And working with Ranbir was quite relaxing. That is why our onscreen chemistry is superb. This film was shot mostly at outdoor locations. After a shot got okayed, I used to prepare for the next scene. If I had the time, I used to chat with Ranbir.”
As for the improvement in her Hindi language skills, Katrina puts it down to being in the industry for such a long time. “And no, I don’t have the time to take tuitions in Hindi,” she quips.
Ask her about Blue’s failure to create a buzz at the box-office, and Katrina shrugs, “I was a guest artiste in the film with hardly an eight to 10 minute role in it. I worked in the film only because Akshay (Kumar) and Sanjay (Dutt) wanted me to and I could not say no to them.”
It’s been said that her pairing with Akshay always seems to result in a hit and while “it definitely feels good,” she still wants the audience to like every film she does.
“My previous film New York did not have Akshay, but the film was a hit. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Rajneeti too do not have Akshay in them. I hope these films too become successful.”
And in case the audiences miss the magic pairing, they only have to wait till De Dana Dan hits the screens. “A film with Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal is sure to be high on entertainment. I’m crazy about this film because it’s the first time I’m doing comedy with this team. And whenever I am doing a film with Akshay, there are a lot of expectations from the film.”
Katrina is not chuffed about being referred to as the Number 1 actress in Bollywood. “I have never believed in the number game. I just want my films to be a hit at the box-office. The producers of my films should make money and the audiences should be entertained. I don’t want anything more,” she says.
She ends by clarifying rumours of her venturing into filmmaking, “I am not a regular producer. A French film has inspired me. That’s all.”