Patcy N in Mumbai
Katrina Kaif is Salman Khan's co-star in the Independence Day release, Ek Tha Tiger, directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Yash Raj.
During a late night interview with Patcy N, Katrina talks about how she and Salman came to be in Ek Tha Tiger, working with the three Khans.
Salman has said in his interview that you recommended his name to Kabir Khan for Ek Tha Tiger? What is your side of the story?
Achcha, he says that now?
My side of the story is that Kabir is a very good friend of mine. We worked together in 2010 in New York and he's become one of my closet friends since then, whose house I go to every weekend or for functions and Eid.
He spoke to me after the release of New York and I said yes right then. I had such an amazing experience of working with him, plus I liked the idea.
Some time later, he told me that he wanted to meet Salman. I told him you should go and meet him because he has always liked you and your work. Salman is the one who actually encouraged me to do New York so it is worth a try.
I also told him I can't say whether he will do the film or not, but I can tell you that he will immediately say yes or no; he won't waste your time and he will stick to his word.
'I came to know a month later that Salman was doing Ek Tha Tiger'
Did you have a hunch that you would be able to pull off a coup like that?
I don't think like that because I wasn't even involved. I don't know when they met and when Kabir narrated the script to Salman.
I came to know a month later that Salman was doing the film. I was very happy for Kabir because he was getting the best person to act in the film.
'Salman has not changed at all'
How was it working with Salman in Ek Tha Tiger?
We have been asked this question a lot by the media. According to me, Salman as an actor and as a person is the same as he was in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.
He is the same helpful person. He is a very spontaneous actor. He improvises and has always been interested in his work.
With me, he is always exactly the same. All of a sudden there is this huge surge of popularity and fans. His films are doing super well.
People around him have changed towards him, the audience has changed, the industry has changed, but he is exactly the same.
'Salman needs everything in moderation'
Do you like Salman as a romantic actor or action hero?
Both, I think. Right now, the audience likes the action-romantic genre and it works well.
Beyond a point, I don't think Salman can handle the romantic scenes. He gets very pakaoed (bored) by it. So I think it is good there is a break and he does an action film. That's what he is like as a person -- he needs everything in moderation.
'Most of the action scenes are on Salman'
In this film you too have done several action scenes...
Honestly, there are just two action sequences picturised on me. Most of the action scenes are on Salman.
But there is some action in the film which I have done. It is nice because I have never done it before.
The team we worked with were from America and they were really organised. That is also why I felt like attempting it. They knew what they were doing. If there was a risk of anything happening they wouldn't do it.
For me, the only problem came when I had to deal with heights. I don't like heights and don't like falling with a rope or a wire. I don't like the moment when there is free fall -- that's the hard part for me.
'The response for Ek Tha Tiger is incredible'
Have you learnt belly dancing for the song Masha Allah?
People are calling it belly dancing but it is not. I would be happy to say I have learnt and rehearsed a lot, but that is actually not the case.
I learnt belly dancing for Sheila Ki Jawani, but we did not use it so much. In this film we haven't. It is a normal, fun song.
People are looking forward to your teaming up with Salman after Yuvraaj.
I hope they accept us because it is a love story. The response we have got is incredible. We hope and pray that we live up to expectation.
Kabir has been very honest with the promos, so what you see in the promos, you will see a lot more of in the actual film.
'I initially felt very intimidated by Shah Rukh Khan'
You are working with Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka in Yash Chopra's next film...
With Shah Rukh, I initially felt very intimidated because I really didn't know him that well. I probably have said five words to him in my entire life.
I have been in the industry for nine years, and it's only now that I am working with him. He is constantly in the media, on television, so I naturally felt intimidated, which later I found funny.
Yashji is an incredibly sweet man. It took him a while to understand me. When we were talking off the set, he told me, 'I can't tell whether you are happy, or sad or angry.'
I told him it's just me; it takes me a while, but you will understand soon enough. Now we crack jokes with each other.
Shah Rukh as a co-star is extremely dedicated. He doesn't think about himself and his seniority. He is taking extra time to rehearse the lines with me and help me. He is extremely helpful and he has also worked with Yashiji before in many films and knows what he wants.
In the scenes we had together Anushka and I had lots of fun. As we were shooting, we were making up our own movie and we would amuse ourselves by writing alternate scenes.
Is the shooting over?
No. There is another 20 days of shooting left.
'I have not started working with Aamir yet'
You are working with all the three Khans: Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman. How does that feel?
I have not started working with Aamir yet. I have interacted with him a few times for Dhoom 3. I will start the film in September.
I am not working simultaneously with all of them. I have worked with them at different times. Ek Tha Tiger is releasing now. We are still shooting for Yashji's untitled film (with Shah Rukh) and we have not even started Dhoom 3 (Aamir Khan).
'I am nervous about training for Dhoom 3'
Have you started training for Dhoom 3?
I have kind of started. As soon as this (promotion of Ek Tha Tiger) gets over, I will apply myself more.
I am nervous about training for Dhoom 3. Physical training is always tough. I get tired and don't feel like dragging myself to the gym and training hall. I have to find a little more motivation than I currently have, but I know I will find it.
'I did hear the idea of sequel to Raajneeti'
Is there going to be a sequel to Raajneeti?
If there is, I will certainly do it. I did hear the idea at one point of time from Prakashji. (Prakash Jha, director)
Most of the characters have been killed in the first part, so they will set up a whole new thing again. I like the storyline and really hope it happens because it is a genuinely good idea and it excites me. But right now Prakashji is busy with Satyagrah and Chakravyuh.
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