Kareena Kapoor has a lot to celebrate. Her film 3 Idiots is a runaway hit. And Kareena decided to run away to Delhi to be with her sister Karisma for New Year.
Sounding more relaxed than she did recently Kareena took time off from the very special family gathering to speak. “I’ve been running around frantically promoting my film. And then I was ailing for a week. I decided I had to be well for the festive season. Christmas was a very, very special occasion for my mom and sister. But we never get to be together for the occasion. This time I was adamant. I made sure I took time off from work so all us girls could spend time together. My mom and I were here in Delhi to spend time with my sister and niece.”
Laughs Kareena, “Karisma and I don’t get to spend that much time together. She has her home and husband in Delhi. My career takes me all over the place. Mom cribs we’re never together. This year-end reunion was something we had promised ourselves from long before.”
In Delhi, Kareena is overwhelmed by the response to her new film. “Everywhere I go I am swamped by compliments for the role. The length of the role didn’t matter. I’m just glad to be part of a historic happening. When Raj Kumar Hirani and Aamir asked me to be part of their film I jumped at it. I knew the film would be special because of Raju and Aamir, and I was right. As far as our cinema is concerned, Aamir is God.”
Reacting to the opinion that Kareena hardly has anything to do in her new film Kareena says, “Who says I’ve nothing to do? I’m very part of the main drama. Would the story move forward if you remove my character?”
Kareena is specially pleased by the compliments she has received for her pairing with Aamir. “Everyone in one voice thinks we look good together. I think Aamir and I make a fantastic pair. I’d love to do another film with him immediately, this time I don’t want share him with other pivotal characters.”
In fact, talks are on with two leading filmmakers including Mani Ratnam who is apparently all set to revive his Aamir-Kareena project Lajjo. A R Rahman and Gulzar have even recorded the songs.
Looking back on the year, Kareena feels happy by the response to her performances in Kurbaan and 3 Idiots. “Both films are very precious to me. Kurbaan was intense, 3 Idiots was more fun. In 2010, I did films with all the Khans ... Salman, Aamir, Shah Rukh (I had a song with him in Billu) and of course Saif.”
Aamir Khan is making waves by promoting upcoming film '3 Idiots' in innovative ways. But co-star R. Madhavan is unperturbed by the actor hogging the limelight. In fact, he admits that the film is being sold on the superstar's name and he has no problems with that.
'Aamir is the biggest star; so it would be foolish to think that the focus will be entirely on you when he is in the film. We are selling '3 Idiots' on his name,' Madhavan, who had teamed up with Aamir in the hit film 'Rang De Basanti', told IANS.
Aamir has launched a game where one has to spot the Bollywood star who will travel across the country in different get-ups in two weeks. His travels have so far taken him to Varanasi, Madhya Pradesh's Chanderi district, former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's home in Kolkata and Jaipur.
'However, the fact is that the film is called '3 Idiots' and I'm one of the three; so my presence is obviously felt,' said Madhavan.
Released on Dec 25, the film also stars Kareena Kapoor and Sharman Joshi. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, it is about two idiots - Sharman and Madhavan - who are in search of the third idiot, played by Aamir.
The 39-year-old actor said it was wonderful working with Aamir again.
'It was great getting back with Aamir and Sharman after 'Rang De Basanti'. We stayed together in a hostel during the shoot of the film and had a great time. Aamir is an outstanding friend and a very loving person. He pursues things till perfection. I have learnt a lot from him,' he said.
The actor, who was an engineering student, refrained from speaking about his role in the film, but said it resembles his own life.
Talking about 'Munnabhai' director Hirani, Madhavan said: 'He is the most chilled out director I have ever worked for; he is amazing and makes an actor so relaxed on the sets.'
So, does he feel that '3 Idiots' has the potential to beat the 'Munnabhai' series directed by Hirani?
'Of course. '3 Idiots' has the potential to beat all films,' he said.
Madhavan, who has earlier featured in films like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Guru' and '13B', is also looking forward to Leena Yadav's 'Teen Patti', which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Hollywood veteran Ben Kingsley.