Katrina Kaif

Apart from the controversies that surround this beautiful dame, Katrina Kaif gives us the low-down on playing a carefree spirit in her next film Touted as the sexiest actress in Bollywood today, Katrina Kaif has come a long way from her first film, Boom to her latest that hits the marquee next month. Denying some rumours and accepting some Kats literally let's go... The other day, at a magazine event, you reportedly stressed on your singledom saying, 'I don't think I'm sexy, else I wouldn't be single'... I don't think I meant that. There were too many people causing commotion at the place, so I was just joking ¦ I don't think it is relevant. Moving on to your film, the first thought to cross your mind when you hear the phrase, zindagi na milegi dobara... It's easier said than done. Because most of us worry about our jobs, future security, when we will settle down, where will we be 10 years from now and other things that it's difficult to let go. So didn't you let go while playing Laila in the movie... Well, I enjoyed playing a girl who doesn't plan tomorrow. She can happily sit on the beach, go diving, ride a bike ¦ in short do whatever she feels like without worrying about where she'll get her money for the next week and so on. I wanted to learn how to ride a bike. And I love the water, so it was fun indulging in deep sea diving. As an actor, one does get to experience things one would never get a chance to otherwise. What were the most memorable moments when you let go while portraying Laila? Both, dirt biking and deep sea diving were more traumatic than I had initially anticipated. I had the basic understanding of smaller bikes, but I had to practice with a bigger and heavier one for the movie. I refused to understand that you've to let the bike fall, as I was being stubborn and trying to prevent it from going down. So I got hurt once or twice. As for diving, I had learnt it in a pool, but had to shoot the scenes in seas with choppy waters. It was so stressful that at the end of the four-day shoot in the waters, I had lost three and half kilos. We believe you had close encounters with the sharks while shooting in the sea? Well, I was told about the sharks later, after we had finished the shoot. I was angry at not being informed earlier, but I was explained that the knowledge could have caused me to panic and hamper my performance. Of course, if I had known about the sharks, I wouldn't have ventured into the waters. About a month later, I heard the place was shut due to sharks. Your chemistry with Hrithik Roshan has generated a lot of buzz, fuelled further by reports of a three-minute long kissing scene... I believe that for the chemistry to work, the film has to work first. For me, it's a new test like every other film. If the audience likes it, the film works and that's why the chemistry between the characters works. Ek Tha Tiger sees you team up with Salman Khan again. Aren't you apprehensive the pairing will distract audiences from the roles you two play in the movie? I don't think so. That's director's challenge; to make sure the story and the film is strong to overcome all that. If people have any expectations or their interest is piqued because of the reports so far, I'm fine with it. Our job is to ensure that the audience gets interested in the film for what it is and not by reports. Having bagged Yash Chopra's next film with SRK, you're being heralded as YRF's blue-eyed girl... Not at all. Adi (Aditya Chopra) is someone who won't cast you unless he really believes you suit the role. I don't know if anyone else would have done the role in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Besides, I had not worked with Imran (Khan) before, so it made sense. I've worked with Kabir (Khan) in New York. So when he started scripting Ek Tha Tiger, he wanted me to be a part of it, given our equation. As for Yashji's film, it made sense to them because I've never worked with Shah Rukh before.

Kajal scorns

Kajal Agarwal might now be known as one of the most popular heroines in South Indian cinema. From being a nobody in her blink and miss debut in Hindi film "Kyon...Ho Gaya Na", she has come a long way. And it is South Indian cinema that gave her an identity in the glam world. Infact, she bagged her big ticket, Bollywood project, " Singham," with Ajay Devgn, only thanks to her popularity down South. But looks like Kajal, in all her B-Town excitement, is keen on leaving her South days behind. Talking to media in Mumbai for the promotion of her film "Singham," she was quoted as saying, "I have never considered myself a South Indian actress." The industry is fuming at her statement. A co-star of Kajal, who also hails from the North and has worked with Kajal more than once, says, "This is insane.We don't get good roles in Hindi films and so we start off our career with South Indian movies. This industry gives us our fame and grooms us and then we bag Hindi films.We shouldn't forget where we began. I still can't believe she could say such a thing." Many insiders feel that Tollywood producers are to be blamed for encouraging these Mumbai imports and putting up with their tantrums, only for them to turn their backs at the industry, as soon as Bollywood beckons. "These actresses use the South Indian cinema only as stepping stones to Bollywood career," a Tollywood insider says. Filmmakers who worked with Kajal express their dismay and disbelief at her statement. While many were not willing to go on record against her, a few demand an apology from the actress. "Two weeks ago she said that she knows the greatness of Hyderbadi biryani. When these stars are in Hyderabad,they say they love this city, pearls and biryani. When they are in Chennai, they say they love Tamil language. It is alright for her to say that she loves Mumbai for the sake of promoting her movie. But it is insane to say she never considered herself to be a South Indian actress. Now that we know her attitude towards our industry, we have to treat her similarly," says director Sreedhar Reddy. A few however, still give Kajal the benefit of doubt. "I cast anyone who suits the role without regional feelings. I don't discriminate. Shriya was from Delhi. Kajal is from Mumbai. This is a creative industry and we need to work together. It doesn't matter to me what her feelings about South are as long as she suits the role. It is her perspective," says Sravanti Ravi Kishore, senior producer who worked with Kajal.

'Kandireega' sees a new Sonu Sood

So far, the chiseled hunk Sonu Sood has been known for his tough looks as a villain. But the latest release Kandireega showed him in different light. It is heard that Sonu has been getting innumerable calls of appreciation from audience and critics alike. Incidentally, Sonu's performance in the second half of the film was the highlight. Soon, he will be seen in the new movie Dookudu starring prince Mahesh Babu. However, he would not be seen in Gabbar Singh.