I'm very proud to be a married actress: Kareena

She has no makeup on and confesses to sleeping for barely four hours. The fatigue is evident but Kareena Kapoor somehow manages to look stunning. Excited about her first release after marriage to Saif Ali Khan, the green-eyed actress describes her Bollywood journey so far as full of risks. During a candid chat, Kareena expresses her thoughts on love, her equation with co-star Rani Mukerji and a lot more…

Has life changed post marriage?
Only the questions have changed! Earlier it was ‘when are you getting married?' and now it's this. I don't know why it should be any different for me. I'm very proud to be a married actress.

What are your thoughts on marriage?
I can only speak for myself and I did it because I'm in love and I wanted to cement my relationship with Saif. I'm glad that our wedding was an intimate ceremony constituting of few people who truly mattered. To me, marriage is a respected institution as well as a celebration of love. I don't see any reason why people should be so cynical about it.

Will your wedding affect your career?
I'll continue to do the films I want to and I'll reject the films I don't want to - like I always did! My ultimate aim is to be part of good movies. I don't think my being married is going to change anything on my career front. My profession is not going to get overwhelmed by my personal life.

How do you balance professional and private success?
We actors are very greedy people. We want success, good roles and a good love life as well. I'm really thankful to have it all. And there's nothing wrong in being ambitious.

Is it a conscious decision to opt for heroine-oriented films of late?
(Pauses) I'll do heroine-oriented roles but I'll also work in films like Bodyguard or Ra.One where I'm there just to look pretty! Acting is my passion. I have to act but I can't just do bland characters under the pretence of performance-oriented roles.

On a scale of one to 10, how do you rate yourself as an actress?
Seven.

What difference do you see between the streetwalker you played in Chameli and the one you're playing in your next?
They're completely different. Chameli was a desi kind of streetwalker, more like a good-hearted sex worker. Rosie is someone with several shades of personality. Even though in my new film, the plot doesn't microscope on the prostitute I'm playing, my character has a pivotal role.

How was it to work with Rani again?
It was disappointing to know that we won't be sharing a single scene in the film. I love her and respect her as an actress. Whenever Rani and I meet - be it at a party or a studio - ek cup chai toh honi hai. We always end up having long chats. Our equation hasn't changed a bit since we did Mujhse Dosti Karoge! 10 years ago.