“My best phase started when Saif came into my life”- Kareena

Kareena Kapoor in a candid and emotional conversation with Subhash K. Jha. Bebo talks abour her relationship with Saif Ali Khan and her upcoming movies 3 Idiots and Kambakth Ishq.

What are you doing in this guy-oriented cast of Raj Kumar Hirani's 3 Idiots?
I've an effective role. And no power on this earth would've made me miss the chance of working with Raj Kumar Hirani. I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. I don't have time to read scripts. I'll do so in March 2009 after I finish my current lot of films which includes Karan Johar's film with Saif. Normally, a Bollywood actress does about forty days' work. My directors are taking about a hundred days with me. I've already given Karan a hundred days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva.

Looking back it has been a turbulent year for you?
I wouldn't call it turbulent. It's an exciting phase in my life when so many things rushed down on me at the same time. The last year was a turning-point in my life. But the end-result is happy. Both professionally and emotionally I think I've come out a winner. I've tried to be as dignified about my personal life as possible. As for my work, God has been kind.

Do you think you're lucky?
It's not just luck. I've worked really hard to get here. It's my perseverance that has got me where I am. And I owe my success to no one else but myself.

Perseverance? Hmm....You've begun to sound like Saif.
Yes, my vocabulary has increased. He makes me memorize some pages of the Oxford dictionary every day (laughs). That's a joke. But seriously, he does speak very well. So I'm trying to catch up.

OK...a really difficult question. Who's your favourite Khan?
Ah-ha. Do I have to spell it out?

Is there anything you want?
I have it all. For me the journey as an actress has just begun. And I'm not going to shift focus from it for 4-5 years.

No marriage for 4-5 years?
I know I definitely want to. But not at least for the next three years. The work I'm doing is giving me so much satisfaction. No 27-year old can ask for more.

People gave your relationship with Saif no more than six months?
There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness. This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before. As an actress I feel everyone and that includes me, expects things from me that are not generally expected from Bollywood actresses except maybe a Kajol or my sister Karisma.

Do you get enough time with Saif?
He's extremely loving and supportive. He knows how long it's taken me to get the work that I'm getting now. In fact the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special. The only thing I miss is time with my family and Saif. When I finish this schedule I head straight to Venice for Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakht Ishq.

Are you and Saif doing a lot of endorsements together?
We're offered a lot of endorsements. But we are not doing any except a shampoo brand. But we'll soon be signing on for endorsements. And we're doing another film for Ashtavinayak. That starts in April 2009. We want it to be a fast and furious action film. Something larger-than-life. Saif is working very closely with the producers. He's trying to lock in on the script and director.

You've changed so much in appearance and behaviour?
Ha, that's what you think. I'm still the same. It's just that I'm so busy. I've been working constantly. On top of that, my house is being done up. There are a dozen things demanding my attention. I get 300 sms-es a day. I can't answer each one of them personally.