Star kids have to struggle a lot but you didn't have to work hard.
It is due to Karisma's hard work that I didn't have to struggle around here. People have been seeing me hanging around since I was a kid. She was such a powerful actress and a big star that people had more access to me. I have seen her work hard since Prem Qaidi and Anari days. But that doesn't mean I haven't worked hard. People just don't know how hard I have worked and moreover I don't keep bragging about it. Ultimately it is not the claim that I worked so hard on my look or costume - it is the success of the film that matters the most. I think Karisma is a hardworking girl. She puts in her heart and soul in everything she does. That's why it comes out so well. Whereas I am such a person that if I don't feel a certain emotion I won't emote at all. I will tell my director I am not feeling that emotion right now and can't do it so maybe we should shoot it another time. I can snap in and out of things very easily. I can cry right now and in the next shot do a comic scene with laughs. I am probably blessed.
What drew you to playing the character of Tina in Mujhse Dosti Karoge?
I loved her energy. I mean Tina's the kind of character that every college has I guess. She's this bundle of fun and frolic, who is always geared for a good time. She's a complete extrovert and is very confident in the way she carries herself. She has a really good soul and she really values her friends. I could see so much of myself in Tina that I had to play her. She seemed almost tailor made for me.
Didn't it bother you to play second fiddle to Hrithik and Rani in the movie?
Hello! No one's playing second fiddle to anyone. Just because my character doesn't get the hero in the end doesn't mean she's any less important to the movie. Mujhse Dosti Karoge is all about three friends and how they relate to each other. The love triangle aspect is still secondary.
But losing Hrithik in a movie is not a lot of fun
Well, I think the audiences need to wake up and realise that there's a little more than the Hrithik Roshan-Kareena Kapoor pair in the story of Mujhse Dosti Karoge. The movie is exploring other kinds of relationships that a lot of people will be able to strike a chord with. Anyone who has ever had a best friend will immediately fall in love with the film.
Were you never tempted to play Pooja in the film?
Never. I couldn't really see myself play her at all, not because she's a bad character or anything, but because I was completely fascinated with Tina already. Besides I think Rani was really well cast in the part of Pooja. She plays her beautifully. Both of us were really comfortable playing our respective characters and it shows in the movie.
How was it working with first time director Kunal Kohli?
Kunal is very meticulous. Mujhse Dosti Karoge is really his baby, so he would focus on every single detail of the movie, from the sets to the look of each character to all the technical aspects. He was really easy to work with -- his confidence never gave way. We never felt we were working with a new director at any point. He seemed so sure of what he wanted at all times.
What is your role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye?
In Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai Tusshar was obsessed with me but in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye, I am obsessed with him. The audience will get to see the other side of the story too.(laughs) It is an unusual story about how we fall in love in our childhood and then we separate and then how we come together again. Quite interesting na? I feel Tusshar and I make a special pair. I might do lots of films with others but he would always be a close friend. His first film was with me and my first hit was with him. I think when people see us together they actually feel we should be together. We look so innocent and in love. I have complete faith that Jeena Sirf Merre Liye will be more successful than Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. We are a special pair and we need a rare and suited subject. We can't take up anything that is offered to us. It has been almost a year and a half since Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. We are coming together after the success of Mujhe Kucch Kehna Ha so it took us time to decide what subject would be apt.
After such considerations when your films don’t do well, how do you feel?
Well you win some and you lose some. I feel bad for a while but then I know I had given my best to them. See you might be surprised but Yaadien and Asoka have given me more credit and success than my hits which were Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. They made people realize that I am an actress in my own right. No producer will sit in his office today and think lets make a film and Kareena toh fit ho jayegi. My best three films will always be Yaadien, Asoka and Refugee. Maybe in the future I might give more hits but these three will remain the best three.
It is surprising to see you in an action-packed movie like Talaash, any comments?
Talaash is a typical commercial box office action packed thriller which has the heroine dancing around in glamorous clothes in fancy locations. I will be honest. I will not say it is the best role that I have. I definitely have five scenes and five songs in the film but I have been paid a hefty sum for it so I agreed to sign it. I have great respect for Suneel Darshan who is not only a great director but a friend too. Whichever film he offers I won't refuse.
Tell us about Boney Kapoor's Khushi?
The only film in which I have felt that I followed a different school of acting was Khushi. I have adapted a different school of acting - a more methodical one. Something I have never done before. I am quite a spontaneous kind of actress. People and the critics will know that I can do such kind of acting too. When I saw the southern version of the film, I knew I had to do the film. I was so impressed by it.