Katrina Kaif‘s Bollywood career that took off in 2003, has been dotted with just three films in as many years. But the actor has had more than her share of visibility and public appearances, which, however, she feels is working against her.
In the film, I play a typical London girl who parties and lives her life her own way. In London, parents tend not to dictate to their children. So suddenly when she sees her father telling ger what she should do with her life, she doesn’t like it too much and that’s when the problems arise.
Later in the film, the character deviates from what I really am, because I am not a complete brat after all! (laughs).
It is hugely important at this point in my career. Also, since the film relies mainly on the girl’s character, there was a lot of work for me. I am at a stage in my career where people expect something substantial from me.
It is unfortunate that the films that I worked on last year are all going to release together after a long gap. I am happy that Namastey London is releasing first and am expecting a good response.
I have done two films that I consider as full fledged films- Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya and Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. My role in Sarkar, I will always maintain, was a guest appearance.
So, Namastey London is technically just my third film and I think I deserve that much leeway. I will improve and I can already sense, within myself, the understanding that comes from working in cinema.
It’s sad and I am really sorry that the success of a film is measured by its box office performance. A film can be appreciated even when it doesn’t do well at the box office. But people follow the box office so much, that it becomes a yardstick to measure the success of a film.
(Sighs) Oh, yes, yes. Unfortunately, I do. I know how much business a film has done in Nizam or Nagpur and that a film has run 10 shows in Excelsior for two weeks and so on and so forth.
A friend of mine once said about a project, ‘It is a wonderful script but is anyone going to watch it? So why don’t you make it for yourself and watch it at home?’
So, you see, to a certain extent, you really have to consider if anyone is going to take the effort to watch the film you have worked in. But I also believe that one should not let commercialism dictate all your decisions.
If they had, you wouldn’t ask me that question, would you?
My opinion is definitely not your opinion, otherwise you wouldn’t ask me that question. So, the answer to that question is – not entirely.
In Namastey London, the audience will really get to see much more of me than they have seen so far.
But it’s ok. I am used to people’s tentative approach towards me. I have no problem; I am grateful for what I have got so far.
We all have to earn money and have families to support and homes to buy.
At the end of the day, I will not endorse a brand I don’t believe in. I am fine with endorsing any brand as long as I believe in the integrity of the product and the longevity of the company.
I believe in accepting films on a per film basis.
