I Have So Much More To Achieve: Kaif
From being just another ”pretty face in the crowd of wannabe starlets” in the industry about two years ago, Katrina Kaif is today one of the most sought after actresses in tinsel town.
And that is because of the success of a host of Katrina’s ventures, from Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya to Humko Deewana Kar Gaye to Namastey London to Partner to the recent Race .
Katrina’s ethereal looks and her childlike innocence that came through her roles in ‘Namastey London’ and ‘Partner’ has endeared her to cinegoers across the country over the last couple of years.
Success of these films may have catapulted her into the big league of Bollywood but amid all this, Katrina remains absolutely grounded insisting that as an actor there is much more she still needs to achieve.
”As an actor, I crave to do something more that what I have achieved till now. I genuinely believe that I have so much more to achieve. ‘Namastey London’ was a film that showed a very nice facet of me. I know there are so many other facets that given a chance I can show and people will also say she has done a good job,” Katrina said in an interview in new Delhi.
In the capital in connection with the launch of ‘Slice’, PepsiCo’s popular mango juice drink brand, in capacity as the new brand ambassador of the product, the pretty lass said being known as a better actor was, for her, as important as commercial success of her films or financial stability.
”Yes, success, financial stability is important. After all, it is nice to be considered among the better people of the field. But I still crave to do that one thing that people will come to see and say “superb”. I do not want to lose out on the quality of films.”
“That is something I keep looking for – a script that blends a fantastic character that I know I can do well. Basically, I am looking for the kind of films that have fantastic roles and at the same time have the potential to be a film people want to see,” Katrina said.
When asked whether there were any films or roles in recent months that she would have loved to do herself, Katrina said, “Honestly no. There have been some fantastic roles done by other actresses in recent months. I loved Guru and Jab We Met . They were fantastic roles. But, knowing yourself much more than anyone else, you know what will work for you and what will not.”
”In this sense, I have not come across something yet that has made me say “I wish I had done that” or “I would have done a better job”. In this sense, I am still looking for that film, that one film, say, something like ‘Chandni’.”
Katrina said as an actor she was looking to do roles that are closer to life, reflecting the reality of modern society.
”The characters I want to do should be something closer to life like in ‘Namastey London’ and ‘Jab We Met’ – two very different films with two very different women characters. But in a sense, both of them come across as very strong girls. I think people would like that.”
”I always tell my directors. Do not make my character a girl who, when a guy looks at her, starts gushing and turns her face sideways from the guy. I feel that when you are at the age of 22 or 23 like I am, you do fun things. For example, when I walk around, I find girls who are walking on the street, leading a normal life. They like fun, are vibrant, are witty and sassy.”
Among Katrina’s forth-coming projects are Subhash Ghai ’s Main Yuvraj where she features in a love triangle with Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan and Yashraj Films next where she co-stars with Ranbir Kapoor .
However, one film that Katrina is really looking forward to is the film with Rajkumar Santoshi .
”That is one of the better scripts I have ever heard in terms of the story. I would call it a romantic comedy kind of thing. It is a comedy that Santoshi is doing after a long gap since ‘Andaaz Apna Apna’. It is even exciting for a lot of people in the industry.”
“Santoshi has a lot of fan following in the industry. You ask a lot of actors their favourite directors and they will invariably name Rajkumar Santoshi. This is perhaps because he is a super director. He, in the past, has given different kinds of cinema having social message. Now, he is coming back in to the mainstream.”
As an actress, Katrina is deeply inspired by Kajol .
”There is something about Kajol. Every time you see her, you cannot stop to admire her. She has got such a tremendous screen presence. She gives to her every character such fantastic lives.”
“There is something about her that makes you love her. She’s got a lively presence in herself. For example, I was recently watching the promos of U Me Aur Hum . There was something about the film. I just wanted to go and see it,” Katrina said.
Asked about her future plans, Katrina said, ”I have had a fantastic time in the last year. I can honestly say that my life has taken a lot of unexpected twists and turns. At the same time, I am not one of those who, when they achieve what they want, start panicking about what to do next.”
”I believe in enjoying myself. For me, it is important to enjoy doing the work I am doing now and the hard work you have put in,” Katrina added.