Kareena Kapoor is currently in Chennai, shooting for Priyadarshan's new film. And if she sounds extra effervescent, it isn't because her co-star is her boyfriend, Shahid Kapoor.
"That always helps," she chuckles. "But I'm really really happy because my sister's [Karisma's] problems are over.
"So much has been written about it. So many of our well-wishers had predicted doomsday for the marriage. But we knew it can be sorted out, and it was. Come on, which marriage doesn't have problems? But if the entire crisis is up for public debate, it naturally becomes harder to solve the tangle."
Kareena says the marriage is back on track.
"Of course it's going to work. My sister and Sanjay [Kapur] love each other. Sure, they had problems. But they were aggravated due to constant media attention. The prying became unbearable when cameras followed them to Goa where they had gone for a patch-up holiday."
The families on both sides are happy to see the couple sort out their differences, especially because of their baby girl. "Samaira is a great cementing force between them," says Kareena. "In fact, Sanjay is playing a polo tournament soon, and the prize has been named after Samaira. It will be the Samaira Trophy. That's how much he loves his daughter."
The couple has now moved into their Delhi residence. "At the end of this month, Sanjay, Karisma and Samaira are going on holiday to Germany where Sanjay has some business to attend to," reveals Kareena. "They'll spend time in Germany, and then proceed for a vacation elsewhere."
The relieved sister can finally start living her own life again.
"I have Shahid by my side, and some terrific films lined up. First, there's Priyan's Kyon Ki. It's very different from all his recent films; not a comedy at all. Even though it's releasing with Priyan's Garam Masala for Diwali, I don't think the two films are similar. Then, I have Vishal Bharadwaj's Mr Mehta & Mrs Singh where I get to work with Aamir Khan for the first time. He's one actor I've always admired. When I saw him with my sister in Raja Hindustani, I had decided I would work with him some day. Maybe Aamir will prove as lucky for me as he did for my sister."
