Stardom-struck

It is this passion for films,she believes,that has helped her survive a decade in an industry where cut-throat competition is a way of life. “I don’t believe in cat fights and I don’t bother about what other actors are doing. I frankly don’t have the time,” she says,and adds that she doesn’t read Indian newspapers anymore. “People can write whatever they want to. I have stopped reading Indian newspapers. The only newspaper I read is the International Herald Tribune,” she claims.

Moving on to her latest,We Are Family,she feels it is the perfect film to commemorate her 10th year in the industry. “I have been very fortunate to be offered a variety of roles. I don’t think any actress has played so many different characters in such a short span,” she says,while calling Shriya in WAF as one of the most complex roles she has done. “She is an independent,fun-loving,working girl,very similar to how I am in my real life,” she states. Her character (Shriya learns the ropes in handling the three kids that her beau,played by Arjun Rampal,has with his ex-wife,played by Kajol) may somewhere bear resemblance to her personal life since she has adjusted to her current beau Saif Ali Khan’s kids Sara and Ibrahim? The 28-year-old actress,having wisened up,voices her philosophy: “My professional life and personal life are very different. I don’t mix them. And of course it is best to be a friend with the kids,because nobody can take a mother’s place in their kids’ lives.”

Kapoor’s second outing with Kajol has been a very different experience,however,“During Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,I was such a baby. I have gained experience over the years. So this time around,our equation was much more mature,” she says,calling Kajol a hands-on mom,both on and off the sets. “I don’t know what it’s with their generation. But be it Kajol or Karisma (Kapur,her sister),they are really very good with their kids,” she says,talking about her niece Samaira and nephew Kian Raj. “They are like my own children. That’s how much I love them. Samaira has beautiful big eyes like Karisma and Kian has these lovely green-blue eyes.”

No conversation with Kapoor ends without Khan being mentioned. And when we ask her if “Saifu” advices her on her choice of films and co-stars,she is quick to retort. “I wish he did. But I do advice him. I have asked him to work with Raju Hirani,” she says. “But Saif is like a Hollywood star. He does his own thing,” she smiles.

But the self-acclaimed diva,rooted in Bollywood,feels the need to try out different genres. After a year of tearjerkers,the actress who rides high on vanity is happy to break the jinx with Golmaal 3. “Again,for the first time a Bollywood actress will be playing a tomboy. I am wearing all sorts of weird clothes,but my face looks pretty,” she says. And her list of unexplored territories continues with Khan’s Agent Vinod,Karan Johar’s Short Term Shaadi and Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine. Or so we hope.