I Wonder Why People Say I Do the Same Kind of Films: Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif in an exclusive conversation with film critic Bhawana Somaaya, about Fitoor and her Bollywood journey

Author and film critic Bhawana Somaaya in conversation with Katrina Kaif (Photo courtesy: Bhawana Somaaya)

It is an unusually windy evening in Mumbai but in Katrina Kaif’s room the temperature is comfortable. She is expecting me and smiles spontaneously. A few pleasantaries about what’s going on, a few instructions to the team, a few messages checked on the mobile and Katrina is ready for my questions.

Katrina Kaif in a scene from Abhishek Kapoor’s Fitoor

Q: The promotions of Fitoor must have exhausted you, are you relieved that the film is finally released?
Katrina Kaif: All actors have to go through the exercise in every film and with each passing year, the promotions get more aggressive. It is because the mediums of communications have multiplied. I’m told stars did not do any such exercise in the olden days. Technology has its share of disadvantages and I’m not complaining. What’s got to be done has got to be done!

Q: Your filmmakers call you professional and your co-stars say you are extremely hard working, are you?
Katrina Kaif: I think I am and I’m happy they notice and appreciate my sincerity. My producers say I’m lucky because apparently my average of box-office hits is high. There are no short cuts to success and the only way to do it is to give your best.

Katrina Kaif in the Afghan Jalebi number from Phantom

Q: The media says you do the same kind of films, do you agree?
Katrina Kaif: I disagree and have never fathomed why they say that. Is it because I work in mainstream cinema? Are all mainstream films identical? I don’t think so.

There is no similarity between Partner and Rajneeti or Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Phantom. They are all different genres and I’m fortunate that I have worked with a wide variety of directors in my career.

Q: And how was the experience of working with David Dhawan early in your career?
Katrina Kaif: Partner was more like a picnic because the trio (Salman, Govinda and David Dhawan) were cracking up all the time. Davidji I discovered never works with a bound script. He improvises all the time and just an exchange of expression was sufficient for both his heroes to deliver what was expected which was freaking me out!

I was the odd one in the unit and what was further frustrating was that Davidji wanted to can every shot very, very fast, it’s a miracle how I completed the film.

Q: Rajneeti was a surprise.
Katrina Kaif: I was surprised Prakash Jha wanted me for the part and initially I was unsure how I would fit into the role, but the unit was young and Prakashji well prepared, so I had to merely follow instructions to walk the right path.

Katrina Kaif in a scene from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Q: Zoya Akhtar describes you as a director’s actor.
Katrina Kaif: Every actor aspires to interpret her character as per the director’s vision, sometimes we are able to, sometimes we stumble on a different note. Zoya trusts her actors and lets them be - she let me be and was always there to hold my hand when I needed her. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was easy because I identified with the film and my charactert though I had to work hard for the underwater scenes.

Q: Kabir Khan’s NewYork established you as an actor.
Katrina Kaif: Yes, the critics for the first time praised me as a performer. I played a married woman in a complex situation and during the shooting of New York I met Yash Chopra, one of the nicest people in filmdom.

Katrina Kaif and Shah Rukh Khan in a scene from Yash Chopra’s last film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Q: And then you did Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Yash Chopra’s last film.
Katrina Kaif: Early in my career I was told I was not Yash Chopra brand of heroine, so I was surprised when I was offered JTHJ. It was an instant connection with Yashji; we shared a very talkative relationship. He spoke to me in English, Hindi sometimes Punjabi and everyone asked me how I understood what he said because he mumbled and swallowed his words, but I understood everything. I just loved Yashji and miss him sorely.

Q: My two favourite films of yours are Ek Tha Tiger and Fitoor...
Katrina Kaif: All credit for Ek Tha Tiger goes to director Kabir Khan, who combined action and drama into a refreshing love story. It had great locations, music and Salman and I did some very tough chase scenes too.

Fitoor is my current favourite because I have yet to disconnect with my character. We actors live a role for a year and it isn’t easy to let go off a memory so easily. Every frame of Fitoor is beautiful and will remain special.

(Bhawana Somaaya has been writing on cinema for 30 years and is the author of 12 books. Twitter/@bhawanasomaaya)