Kareena Kapoor Celebrates 25 Years in Cinema

On September 17, Kareena Kapoor Khan attended the inauguration of a film festival honoring her 25 years in the cinema industry. During the event, she openly shared her experiences, insights about her films, and the characters she portrayed. Kareena expressed her gratitude to PVR Cinemas and her fans for this recognition, looking stunning in an Indo-Western outfit.

• What film of yours have you watched the most? 

Kareena-  I think I’ve watched “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” the most. Like the entire world, I am also a fan of that film because I love the concept of a traditional family. I believe it's one of the most loved films.

• You’ve played many diverse roles in your films, like 'Poo' in “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” and 'Geet' in “Jab We Met.” Did you ever think these characters would become integral parts of your legacy? 

Kareena-  Not at all. When I was playing 'Poo', I had no idea it would become so popular. I was just following Karan’s directions. I knew it was a fun character, but no one expected that 25 years later, people would still associate me with these roles. I feel that when you approach a character with the intent of making it great, it just happens. The same goes for 'Geet.' I was also filming “Tashan” at that time, which was an action film with Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. I thought “Tashan” would be amazing, but people liked “Jab We Met” much more. No one saw that coming; it just happened organically.

• Another surprise was the song “San Sanana San” from the film “Asoka,” which has remained popular over the years. What do you have to say about it? 

Kareena-  That song is about 18-20 years old now. It’s iconic. Santosh Sivan shot it, and people connected with its energy. The song was sexy too. I’m thrilled that “Asoka” is one of the films being re-released; it was my first film with Shah Rukh Khan in a lead role, and I have so many fond memories associated with it.

• You deliver your dialogues in a way that people still think of you as 'Poo' and 'Geet.' What would you like to say about that? 

Kareena-  I think I am very passionate about my acting. My directors and co-actors play a significant role in that. I owe a lot to my fellow actors. In great films like “Jab We Met” and “Omkara,” we always drew from each other’s energy. The same happened during “Asoka” and “3 Idiots.” Without my co-stars, these films wouldn’t be what they are.

• Will we see you in a film with Saif anytime soon?

Kareena-  Why not? I hope we work together again. He is currently busy with a Telugu film, but I’m looking forward to sharing the screen with him again soon.

• Your performances have improved with every role, whether in “Chhamelee” or “Omkara.” What made you say yes to films that are male-centric?

Kareena-  Over 25 years, we should reflect on the time when we were signing films at a young age. At 17 or 18, we’re always trying to prove ourselves. Each film was about staying relevant, and after a decade, it’s about reinventing yourself in a male-dominated industry, which can be daunting. However, many brave actresses have emerged in recent years, making significant strides. I’ve chosen to work with major superstars, and all those films have been successful. I’ve had a career where I proved myself as an actor repeatedly. A long career as an actor is possible only if you continue to showcase your talent. It’s about combining talent with that “X-factor,” while luck plays a role too. Every five years, I reflect on what I should do next. I want to leave a legacy, and that’s why I’ve had roles like in “The Buckingham Murders,” “Singham,” and “Crew.”

• What was Saif’s reaction when you told him about this event and your achievement? 

Kareena-  He was very happy. He wants to see all my films. He’s excited, and I’m sure he will watch “Omkara” and “Asoka.” I’m glad that people want to revisit my films.

• You are the first female actor to be honored at a festival like this. You have two children. Do they understand that their mom, Kareena, is celebrated at a major film festival? 

Kareena-  They are still quite young. They know that paparazzi follow us and ask if it's because I'm famous. I tell them, “No, I’m famous; you haven’t done anything yet.”

• After working across so many genres and roles, do you still have a dream role?

Kareena-  I don’t have a specific dream role. I always wanted to play a detective, and I’ve done that now. I just look for characters that I would enjoy playing because you spend 50, 60, or 70 days with them. For an actor, the most important thing is to enjoy the role they’re portraying on screen.

• Everything you do sets trends, whether it’s hair color or being size zero. But doesn’t this overshadow the fact that you are an amazing actress? Is your glamour overshadowing your acting?

Kareena- That’s an excellent question. Yes, I feel that being glamorous sometimes makes people forget that I’m a great actor too, and they stop taking me seriously. But when they watch my films, they tend to forget that question. You can’t judge a book by its cover. I’ve never seen myself that way. It’s essential for an actor to adapt to changing circumstances. I focus on my work and continually strive to prove myself.

• There are many films that don’t succeed or make money. What are your thoughts on that?

Kareena: I can’t do the same type of films for 25 years. To know what you can do, you have to take risks and try different films. When I was 22, I did “Chhamelee,” and everyone said I wouldn’t succeed. Now, at this stage of my career, I can say that Kareena can do this and that too. I want to play roles that people will enjoy over the next 25 years, whether the film makes 100 crores or 500 crores or is appreciated by just a few. It makes my heart happy when people do that.

During this event, Niharika Bijli from PVR INOX emphasized that Kareena's remarkable career has redefined Bollywood over the last 25 years. She stated, “Kareena Kapoor Khan is a rare artist who has continually challenged conventions and delivered powerful performances. We are excited to bring her most iconic roles back to the big screen for the fans.”

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The “PVR INOX Celebrates 25 Years of Kareena Kapoor Khan Festival” is a week-long event running from September 20 to September 27 in over 30 theaters across 15 cities, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Work Front: Recently, Kareena was seen in “The Buckingham Murders,” directed by Hansal Mehta, where she plays the role of detective Jas Bhamra. Additionally, she will appear in the upcoming film “Singham Again,” directed by Rohit Shetty.

By Priyanka Yadav