What sacrifices did the actress have to make, to look 'AB'solutely stunning in the song Kaala Chashma? "First thing that I had to sacrifice was chocolate. So, I didn't have much of that. It was all worth it though because what an amazing song and what an amazing response we have got for the film from everybody. The song was a lot of fun, and in the movie, it comes at a time when there is a big celebration. For me, dance is a big passion, and since it is a passion it is something I enjoy, but in order to make the moves look effortless, you need to put in the rehearsals. Luckily, Sidharth was not wearing a choli and a dhoti," said Katrina while talking to us over the phone from Mumbai. What she didn't tell us was that she was on an all-liquid diet for a few weeks before the shoot and also trained hard in pilates.
Was Sidharth Malhotra apprehensive about shooting a song with the dancing queen Katrina? "So, since I wasn't showing my body and my stomach. I was relaxed and I just concentrated on my dance. I think she had the harder part to do. I was aware of what Katrina brings to a song, and I was more consumed with getting the groove right. I was competing with my previous songs, as opposed to competing with Katrina," said Sidharth. Baar Baar Dekho releases in the UAE today.
Katrina: "I relate to her in a way that she is a working girl, she is an artist and has a career. She is very convinced about the person she loves; she is very dedicated to him and very committed to him. She wants to balance both her love and career. What happens is, she starts getting a little resentful because she is not getting the attention that she expects from her partner. I felt her journey is something a lot of women are going to relate to and a lot of guys are going to able to relate to Sidharth's character and his journey as well."
Sidharth: "My character transitions through three generations - from teenage to old age. The film talks about the youth today and their priorities - whether they want to commit themselves to a partner or whether they want to be extremely ambitious to go further in their career. The film beautifully addresses modern day relationships and the hard decisions one has to make. I play a professor, who is very pragmatic, antisocial and obsessive about his work. He also has a childhood girlfriend, Diya played by Katrina. They grew up together and love each other, but when the question of marriage arises, he develops a commitment phobia, worrying that his marriage will hamper his career."
Katrina's take on love
"My take on love has grown and evolved. It has taught me to deal with people, relationships, become less selfish, more caring, understanding and enabled me to be supportive of the ones I care. This comes with maturity, of course, and I hope that my belief in love and the passion I feel will always remain the same."
"The magic is to always be happy in whatever place or state you are in life. Whether you feel that way or not but one must try to live that way. No matter what happens around me, I always try and have a happy attitude. That's what I feel is the best way to be. My director Nithya gave me a clear path to follow and that helped me a lot as well."
Not many actors have the guts to accept their failures. We were surprised when Katrina spoke candidly about the failure of her last film Fitoor. She said, "I think in Fitoor we did not get it right. Although, every attempt was there and we had a great director. Great Expectations is a tricky subject. We didn't get something right; I cannot put my finger on it."
"There has been just twice when I heard a narration for a film and cried - once for a film that never got made, and the second time for this. As a girl and as a woman, this film hit me very deeply and personally, which is when I knew I wanted to be a part of it."
'Partner did not have a script, and I had to think on my feet'
Katrina: Probably all my films required me to attend acting workshops, but Baar Baar Dekho was one film that I did extended workshops for. When I started in the industry, we did not have scripts. For instance, the movie Partner did not have a script, and I had to think on my feet and improvise, that too with the king of improvisation and comedy - Govinda! Today, to have the readings beforehand and to sit and enact in the workshop with the level of guidance we had is a luxury! It was as though someone was showing you the path, and then when you go on the stage, you just have to follow it.
Indian Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif poses for a photograph during the Women of Worth Awards in Mumbai on late March 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / STR