It has been pretty quick, I say. “Really!” exclaims Kareena Kapoor as we meet for a quick chat in Delhi. It was June 2016 when Udta Punjab released and the actor is back at the box office this week with Veere Di Wedding after maternity leave . “ The break was from December to December. I don’t think it’s fast. I was missing acting; it’s my first love. Of course, the choice of role made it a little difficult because I had to get back in shape and look gorgeous as soon as possible,” says Kareena even as the make-up man keeps applying some lotion on her shining face before the press conference. She gives it to her support staff and family for the quick return. “We are a working couple and my mother-in-law (Sharmila Tagore) also remains busy. But she knows how it is as she herself returned to sets soon after pregnancy to do some wonderful work.”
Kareena says she picked VDW because she found it different from the usual hero-heroine stuff. “I am known for choosing different roles. After Ki &Ka and Udta Punjab, it is one more attempt to be seen in a brave film. How many times do we get a chance to work with three talented actresses with substantial roles in a mainstream film?” Recently, she was trolled for her take on feminism. “See, I don’t know the technical definition. I just meant that I don’t believe in the kind of feminism that is about male bashing or superiority of women. I am all for equality of genders.” To some, the promos of the film suggest otherwise. “May be; my job is to play the part well. Having said that my character is the most traditional of the four, which is great,” she quips. Many feel the way she has nurtured her career is also conventional. She never aspired for international space. “I am happy doing Indian films,” she cuts one short.
These days her son Taimur is attracting more media media attention than many stars. “As a parent, I am concerned. I don’t know why the media is giving him so much attention; he is just a normal boy. One must understand and give him space to have a normal life.” On the road ahead, Kareena says she will continue to act but has no plans to turn to production or direction. “I will do one more film by the end of this year.”
