Pinkvilla Exclusive: Bhansali and I had differences of opinion over the contractual issues - Kareena Kapoor

At the first look launch of Madhur Bhandarkar’s most awaited next, Heroine, the lead actress Kareena Kapoor, looking resplendent in a red jumpsuit confessed that it was her childhood dream to become a Bollywood heroine. In a candid chat exclusively to pinkvilla.com, the most sought after heroine talks to Mauli Singh about her most bold role till date, fallout with Bhansali and her wedding plans with the beau, Saif Ali Khan.

How true is the portrayal of a Bollywood heroine in the film?

I play Mahie Arora in the film. It’s a completely fictitious character but the under layer of the film which is about the film industry is pretty much true. Her life situations and problems are pretty real.

I am over emotional for sure and sometimes impulsive too. I don’t think there is any similarity between my journey as an actress and Mahie.

People are comparing Heroine with Vidya Balan’s Dirty Picture. Does that bother you?

These comparisons are so baseless. Just because both the films are based on the life of an actress, doesn’t mean they are similar. Both the films are very different. Dirty Picture was a biopic of an item girl and it was set in the eighties. Our film is a fictional account of a rise and fall of a Bollywood actress and it is set in the present times.

There were rumours that you backed out of the film initially because you had reservations doing such a bold role. Is that true?

Not at all. I have done Chameli. I had dates issue when Madhur approached me to do the film initially but fortunately things were sorted out later. I think I was destined to do this film.

And Sanjay Leela Bhasali’s Ram Leela wasn’t…

Well you can say so.

Any regrets about losing Ram Leela?

If I did have then I won’t leave the film. I am in a position to choose which film I would like to be a part of. And I am very happy to be in such a position.

What went wrong with Bhansali?

Unfortunately,we had some differences of opinion over the contractual issues. So we decided to part ways. But I have a huge regard for Bhansali as a filmmaker and I would always want to work with him.

So there is a possibility of you guys working together in future?

Why not. Let’s hope so.

Coming back to Heroine, its one of your boldest roles… Was it very challenging?

Yes but exciting too. As an actor you crave to do different roles. People have seen me as a next door girl in Jab We Met and Refugee. But this is my boldest and the most aggressive role. There is no skin show. The dialogues are hard hitting.

You have some elaborate intimate scenes with Arjun Rampal. Was Saif okay with them?

Of course.Why wouldn’t he be? We are both actors and understand that it’s just a job. We both have done intimate scenes with other actors and never made an issue about it. We both are pretty secure people.

Has Saif seen the film?

No, he has only seen the trailer but he loved it. He is looking forward to the film.

Everyone is waiting for both of you to announce the D Day.

You will hear the announcement soon. Saif has the sole right to answer this question.

The poster of the film is said to be a copy of a Mariah Carey’s promotional photos for her music album, The Emancipation of Mimi. Comment.

Our industry is notorious for copying the entire films. This is just a poster. I don’t know why people making a big deal out of it. Madhur is known for his originality. It may be an inspiration but certainly not a copy.

Do you think the heroines today are at par with the heroes?

Not really. Obviously it’s a male dominated industry. The budget of the female oreinted film is much less than a hero’s film. Everything is kept in place so that we make our money on it. We don’t get as big a budget as a hero.

Would you like that to change?

I don’t think we should try and change it. We should try and make movies which are in budget. Bollywood will be nothing without Khans.

Do you think heroines today are in a much better position than heroines of earlier times?

I guess so. Times have changed, situations have changed. Things are very different. Girls today are smarter and way more sorted. They are also good with managing their finances.

A lot of actresses give up acting once their career as a heroine is over and start business ventures. What is your plan?

I want to keep acting till the time I die. It’s my passion. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I am very inspired by Zohra Sehgal.

Who are your favourite heroines?

Karisma Kapoor, Sri Devi and Kajol. I have always admired them and dreamt of being likeone of them