Aditya Chopra is my kind of director, says Katrina

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Beautiful actress Katrina Kaif, apparently dating Salman Khan these days, keeps inquisitive people at arms length and says she can't allow outsiders to pass judgment on her personal life.

"I'm suspicious of people trying to create unnecessary controversies. I can't allow other people to stand in judgment of my life. If I did, I'd be a miserable person. Just because I am in the glamour industry people tend to make assumptions about how I live," Katrina told IANS in an interview.

Katrina entered Bollywood with "Boom" but it was Salman starrer "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya" which gave a new lease of life to her career in Hindi films.

"I think 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' would be considered my first real step into Bollywood. I did it with my eyes open," said Katrina.

A director she would love to work with is Aditya Chopra, who has made the evergreen hit "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge".

"I'd love to work in young and fresh films like the ones Adi Chopra makes. He's a very urbane filmmaker. My kind of director."

Excerpts from the interview:

To be declared beautiful all the time - is that a burden?

Beauty is a matter of perception. Honestly and truly, it is an individual opinion. I may be beautiful to some, not to others. I feel beautiful when I am beautiful for somebody.

Do you find yourself a misfit?

I don't think so. Bollywood is very welcoming to those who are willing to work hard. It did take me a while to acclimatise myself. Everyone knows what happened with my first film "Boom". I think I've actually started to work only now.

Why did you do "Boom" as your first film?

It was sheer ignorance about cinema and how to pick projects. Once I stayed on, I learnt how to go about it. Very frankly, I wasn't that interested in acting. I was happy doing modelling.

After "Boom" I did two South Indian films. They served their purpose. They prepared me to take on a career in Hindi movies again.

Anyway, "Boom" had Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan and we all took comfort in his presence. If his judgement could go wrong, I was just a novice. I think "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya" would be considered my first real step into Bollywood. I did it with my eyes open.

Were you happy with your first film "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya"?

Very happy. David Dhawan is simple and sweet. I was asked all sorts of questions about my motives for doing it, about why I was doing a film with two leading ladies. Even when it came out, amidst all the controversies (publication of an alleged taped conversation between Salman and Aishwarya last year in which Salman reportedly revealed his underworld links), it became a hit. If it had been a film made with any less positive feelings, it might not have survived the flak.

Do you get embarrassed by such sticky situations?

My friends laugh at me for being an incorrigible dreamer. I never bother with what is going on in other people's lives. From the outside, people can judge a situation as they like. What they see needn't be the truth.

I am suspicious of people trying to create unnecessary controversies. I can't allow other people to stand in judgment of my life. If I did, I'd be a miserable person. Just because I am in the glamour industry people tend to make assumptions about how I live. But I am a simple person. I like nice and simple people.

How do you cope with all the cheesiness around you?

That's the thing. I've never encountered it! I just think if you're clear about your own intentions no one will infringe on your space.

Earlier, during my modelling days there was never any question of cheesiness. But in the film industry too I've met people like David and Ramu-ji (Ram Gopal Varma) who don't come with unnecessary complications.

How does your career look to you?

There're obviously people who are doing better than me. But I am happy with the progress I've made. I've Raj Kanwar's film with Akshay Kumar and Anil Sharma's film. These are tried-and-tested filmmakers.

When filmmakers come to me I am not scared to ask questions. I always find some way to relate what I'm offered, if I want to do it. Then I've Ramu-ji's "Sholay" and of course, David Dhawan's next with Salman and Govinda, which I start in December.

Will you be comfortable playing a widow in "Sholay"?

Let's not forget the character was married and widowed young. Ramu-ji is very clear about what he wants from his actors.

Are you happy with the progress you're making?

For a beginner I'm doing okay. I've worked with fairly big co-stars. It takes a newcomer some time before he works with Shah Rukh and Aamir. I guess it'll come later for me. I always focus on the current assignment, then the one after. Nothing after that. I don't plan too far ahead. I think the next few films are important for me.

Whom would you like to work with?

I think Raj Kumar Santoshi is an amazing actor's director. I like Rituparno Ghosh's style of filmmaking. I spend a lot of time watching realistic regional films. I like Vipul Shah's cinema. I liked his "Waqt".

Eventually, I'd love to work in young and fresh films like the ones Adi Chopra makes. He's a very urbane filmmaker. My kind of director.

Favourite actors?

I like Hrithik's style and Aamir is really intelligent. His performances are superbly believable.

How do you fob off the interest in your private life?

You know the nice thing is they've come to know me by now. They know I don't like people prying into my life. They know it makes me uncomfortable. They respect it.

Others may be comfortable talking about their lives. It works for them. Not me. Some mediapersons find me difficult because they can't get across to me. I admire my colleagues who can talk about anything under the sun at any time. I've to prepare myself.

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Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya