Ive got it easy in life

Were you scared of dancing with a dove on your head?
You know,it was by sheer luck that the dove landed on my head. It was supposed to be on my shoulder but suddenly decided to perch itself on my head and we got a brilliant shot. So really,no credit to me,it was the doves idea. Actually in Delhi-6,Masakalli is the name of the dove.

How different is Rakeysh Mehras world from that of your debut director Sanjay Leela Bhansalis?
Mr Bhansalis cinema is more like oil paintings while Mr Mehra makes watercolours. Both are great cinema visionaries and fond of me but while Mr Mehra pampers me more,Mr Bhansali expects more out of me.

What lessons did you take home from Saawariya?
The film was a valuable lesson in work ethic and taught me the importance of cinema. Though its too soon to comment on what I want to achieve as an actor,Id like to do films with an artistic expression. You make a film because you have something to say. When people dont understand what youre trying to say,youd rather sit at home. Even Aesops fables and Panchatantra were about stories you could take home with you.

Is that the reason youre taking your time to sign films?
I believe in quality. Id rather do one good film that people would remember me for than do five million films which would just come and go. Ill sit at home and wait for that one good film to come my way. I can do that since I have the luxury of choice and dont have to run a kitchen. That makes me more fearless.

Everybody in the film industry says you look different in all your pictures and photo shoots,whats the secret?
Grins) Youve just paid me the best compliment an actor can get! An actor is truly blessed if he/she can look different all the time. I dont work on looking different. I think my mood reflects on my face. Good for me since people wont get bored of looking at me!

What does dad Anil Kapoor say about your work?
He advises me to work hard,be professional and not step on other peoples toes. He liked me in Saawariya. Though he didnt say anything earth-shattering that I can advertise in a poster,he did say that I do my job with conviction. Simple words,but thats the best thing he could say to me.

Your favourite Anil Kapoor films.
I like Lamhe,Pukar,Mr India,Eeshwar,Woh 7 Din,Tezaab,No Entry. God,hes done so many good films!

Do you feel the pressure to live up to your dad?
No yaar,why should I? Its a privilege to be Anil Kapoors daughter. Ive got it easy in life. Im happy and thankful for all that Ive got. I always like to look at the positive side of things. Theres no point in getting stressed because if you do,you cant sleep and then the next day,you look like crap. Id rather be happy and look good.

Whats the toughest bit about being an actor?
Till now,its been all fun. Only,when we go on outdoor shoots,I really miss my dogs,Bacardi,Coke and Feathers. They are my babies. They just sleep and eat. They are so lazy that they dont even bark.

Are you tired of being compared to Deepika Padukone?
(Sighs) You said it,its tiring! Its not that I hate being compared to her,I just dont think itll ever stop. Just because both our debut films released on the same day,we are constantly pitted against each other. Guess people here are not intelligent enough to realise that you cant compare two people. There is such a dearth of intelligence here.

But Deepika and you are best friends,right?
Were friends. I like and have no problems with anyone. I just want to live my life,do my work,play with my dogs,watch movies,read books,be with my family and pray that theres sunshine and butterflies everywhere.

Name some directors whose name you want to have on your CV.
Dibakar Banerjee,Shimit Amin,Karan Johar,Farah Khan and Zoya Akhtar. I hope Rakeysh Mehra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali work with me again and again. I like repeating my directors.

Is it true youre acting in the Hindi adaptation of Emma?
No comment. Right now,all that Im looking forward to after Delhi-6 is a long holiday in New York. But yes,Emma and Pride and Prejudice are my favourite Jane Austen books.

Did you really call Shobhaa De a porn writer as reported in an interview? (Sonam had slammed De who had written on her blog that Sonam doesnt cut it in the sex appeal stakes and that Deepika Padukone would not even win a Miss Dombivali contest.)
(Shrugs) Yes,I did.

Surprised she didnt react to your comment?
Maybe she realised that these are young kids and if she can have an opinion,so can we. By not reacting,she has shown her sense of maturity.

Tell us three things nobody knows about you.
I love to bake sugar-free cakes. Im dying to be a vegetarian but Im unable to. I really love animals,so this ones a personal battle I hope to conquer one day soon. And the third is that Im obsessed with buying paintings. I really appreciate art and antiques and know the difference between Manjit Bawa,Jehangir Sabavala,Anjolie Ela Menon and MF Husain.