Dil chahta hai wasn’t a bromance or a male flick: Kareena Kapoor on Veere Di Wedding

By Vani Krishnan

The effervescent Kareena Kapoor chats with Bollywoodwallah about Veere Di Wedding and why she chose the film. Read the excerpts from the interview here:

Question: The very factor that you have done a film which is not a solo one, it has got three actresses that means the way you work, the kind of films you choose is changing. What do you want to say about that?

Kareena Kapoor: This film is different because its language is completely different. I’ve never done a film like this before with three other women. It is so real yet in a different space which is still keeping the commercial economics in mind. One has to try to do different things. This is a step towards that.

Question: What attracted you about the script?

Kareena kapoor : The whole idea of just having a film based on four friends. It has never really been there after ‘Dil chahta hai’ and ‘Zindagi’. It has always been from a male’s perspective. To have a film based on four friends, girlfriends or female characters is very difficult.

Question: Was it more fun this time because there were no male actors? Was there less pressure as such?

Kareena Kapoor : No, I don’t think so. The shoot was fun because we entertained ourselves. We were so excited about working on the scene after waiting for a year and a half. When we came on board we were all very gung-ho to start.

Question: How much do you relate with your character?

Kareena Kapoor : Kalindi is very different from me because I’m completely like Avni. I have always been for love. Kalindi is very commitment phobic whereas I am a very practical person and I am very sure of my life. Not just that, I am in complete control of my life.

Question: You have a fabulous body of work behind you. Do you still feel there is something left to prove to the audience?

Kareena Kapoor : An actor can never be complete. Hence, as long as I am always hungry and as long as I am not satisfied, I don’t think the audience should be either.

Question: You’ve been a part of a lot of movies of different genres. Is there anything you did new in this film for you to say that I could do this in a ‘Veere’ but not any other movie?

Kareena Kapoor: I think just the fact that this is one of its kind makes it distinct. There has never been this kind of genre where friends are addressing issues on being a part of a sexless marriage or being commitment phobic due to family pressure around them. Issues have not been brought in the forefront in this dynamic.

Question: So it’s not a chick-flick, the premise is that the four friends it could be of any gender?

Kareena Kapoor : Yes. ‘Dil chahta hai’ wasn’t a bromance or a male-flick!

Question: With actresses like Kareena and Sonam on set, was it easier or was it difficult to enact the role given?

Shika Talsania: I have been waiting for an opportunity to work with such fantastic actresses. Have you met Kareena and Sonam? They are fabulous actors who are very warm and very accepting. It was amazing to work with them. Like from day one we all gelled and we all were in the same page. They’re very protective and they really helped me out so it was a great experience overall.

Question: How are you liking the whole business of film promotions? They’re not as huge as earlier and now from Nagin 3 to giving seven to eight interviews everyday how are you managing it?

Kareena Kapoor : No, I don’t like promotions. (laughs)

Question: Is it the right time for such a film to get released with people accepting women differently unlike earlier times?

Kareena Kapoor : Yeah, of course. Currently different kinds of films are being accepted. The very fact that we are trying to experiment and trying to make films that are different is a step forward.

Question: When there is a film so good looking as ‘Veere di wedding’ like the clothes and the landscapes behind are vying for attention, does acting become more difficult or is it like you can take a chill pill?

Shika Talsania: No, when you have the location you are shooting and the costumes that you’re wearing, it adds to the character. Everything adds up to the story you’re trying to portray. I didn’t see it as a hindrance, I think it was more of a help.

Question: Actresses generally don’t like sharing screen space with other actresses. When you began your career you did a lot of films. Was that insecurity there in you as well?

Kareena Kapoor : No in fact, I have worked with Rani in so many movies ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’ was my third film and ‘Ajnabee’ was my second film. I have worked with Kajol and Rani in ‘Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham’ I think it depends on the script you like.

Question: As a person whether it’s your life or your career you never conform to norms, You’ve always created your own norms even during pregnancy and post-delivery. There are actors who complain of being replaced for ridiculous reasons but here there was a producer who was willing to wait for you for over a year. Do you think the prototype of an actor and producer is changing in Bollywood?

Kareena Kapoor: No, I think the fact that they wanted to wait was because I gave them the belief them that I really loved the script. The minute I read the script, I called up Rhea and said that I’ve never done something like this before. So when directors come with these kind of scripts, actors would want to act. You bring a great script to an actor, I am sure they are going to take it. They give confidence to the producer and director as well.