Katrina Kaif: The Kat is out of the bag

It's not her influential lover, but her acting that's prompting film-makers to sign her up. Having bagged films with top production companies - namely Rajkumar Santoshi's most recent Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Priyadarshan's De Dhana Dhan and Prakash Jha's Rajneeti - Katrina Kaif has finally found a place among Bollywood's leading ladies. We talk to the articulate actress about her life so far.

Kaif's initiation to Bollywood started slow, since her English accent and western upbringing proved a hindrance for producers. They were apprehensive about signing on a young actress who wasn't well-versed with the Hindi language or Bollywood dance moves. So despite securing a part in Kaizad Gustad's Boom in 2003, she had to wait two more years before Ram Gopal Varma finally cast her opposite Abhishek Bachchan in his hit flick Sarkar. However, Sarkar worked more in favour of Bachchan junior than Kaif. In fact, it was only in 2005 that people took note of her when she sizzled on-screen with Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.

She concedes that it was tough to break into Bollywood and it took a lot more than determination to find a permanent place. "It took me at least three to four years to get into it all as it (Bollywood) was completely alien to me. Dancing and modelling were always a part of my life, but I had to learn the sensibilities of (Hindi) cinema. I was fortunate to get the right kind of guidance, which helped me make the right decisions," she says.

Despite rumours that her struggle was cut short by her influential boyfriend Salman Khan, Kaif isn't ready to give credit to anyone for her success. In fact, she even reflects on the difficulties it took to reach where she is now. "There are people who've struggled more and people who've struggled a lot less. It's all comparative. I think everyone experiences what is right for them.

I think my struggle and my path was what was right for me." She admits that those seven years were imperative to help her learn the ropes of working in Bollywood. "It's been wonderful to learn about cinema, about the craft and to learn it all on the job. And it's just about now that I'm comfortable with my screen image and I understand the medium a lot better." Kaif was first introduced to Bollywood movies when she watched her first Hindi film on Channel 4. "Although I don't remember which film it was, I do remember it was heightened in emotions." That, however, wasn't her motivation to embark on her maiden trip to India. It was ties to her family that prompted her.

"I was visiting my uncle (in Mumbai) and it was then that I chanced upon a modelling assignment. And when I came here, there was such an overwhelming response and a sense of belonging that I thought to myself ‘this is where I'm meant to be' and I stayed on. So in that sense, Bollywood happened a bit later, after about two to three years."

Kaif explains that Boom was a fun film she worked on while on holiday. "I was 17 and had no knowledge of the film industry. It was almost like something you'd do on summer break in school. My focus was modelling. It was only after fulfilling my modelling dreams that I even set out to try something new," she reveals.

When Kaif first started in Bollywood, she had no friends in the industry -just a dream. She started out by enrolling in Hindi and dance classes. The actress also claims that after training for the past few years, she's more at ease with the language. "I'm very comfortable with Hindi. And luckily all the scripts and dialogues are in place before we start filming so it's quite easy." Her struggle to find her footing in the Bollywood dance routine, was cut short when choreographers were ready to incorporate her style into their dance moves. "Now, doing songs is the most exciting thing. In fact, it's the first thing I look forward to when I sign a film."

We delve into her on-screen chemistry with co-star Akshay Kumar. Their films like Namastey London and Singh is Kinng were huge box office successes. So it came as a shock when she refused to accept Akki as her lucky charm. "A lot of people say that all the time, but it's just that we've done a lot of films together. I've also worked in Apne, Sarkar and Race with other actors, and they've all done well at the box office. So it's not necessary that I'm his lucky charm or that he's mine. We've just really been fortunate that our films have worked well."

With all the talk about Bollywood actresses vying for a spot in Hollywood, Kaif preferred to skip the international circuit for regional cinema. "It was tough, but definitely a great experience. I wasn't familiar with a lot of things, film-making and the languages - Malayalam and Telugu. But I still had a wonderful time."

With so much going on in her life, in terms of big movie offers and modelling assignments, we wondered if Kaif's romantic life was going as well! But despite much prodding about her relationship with Khan, she refused to divulge anything more than a giggle. Her neutral answer just shows how far Kaif has come. She's smartened up and learned to play the media by leaving us guessing. And that we will do... keep guessing!

Kat talks

On the Barbie doll tag
"It's something to smile about... among six sisters, it's definitely something we can laugh about."

On sharing the IPL stage with Akon
"It was wonderful. Performing with Akon was spontaneous, we just started dancing. He's one of my favourite singers so performing with him was definitely one of the highlights of my career."

On staying grounded despite all the adulation
"A lot of times when you're in the middle of it all, I don't think it affects you as much as someone who's on the outside. But there's a certain part that allows you to appreciate it. And it's special when you look back at what you've achieved."

On bad media publicity
"Irrespective of whether it's good or bad, you have to tackle it the same way. If you get affected by the bad and exhilarated by the good, then you're going to be in for a rollercoaster ride. You just have to understand that papers have to be sold and things have to be written."

On her next release Rajneeti
"I play a strong female character. She starts out as a spoilt, glamorous girl but life forces her to slow down and take on bigger responsibilities."