Page 56 - October 2018 converted

Kareena Kapoor
ani (Mukherjee) was telling me that
before she started shooting for
Hichki, she didn’t want to let go. She
Rwanted to be with her daughter all
the time. But, it was so wonderful to be back
on the sets and that she had missed it.
I had finished Ki and Ka, it released in March
when I found that I was pregnant. I started
shooting immediately after I gave birth in
December. I was on the sets in June. Right
through my pregnancy, I was shooting in
various shapes and sizes. I was never really
home, even when I was eight-and-a-half
months pregnant, I was up and about.
Do you get a lot of parenting advice?
Everybody becomes a doctor, a mother,
everybody wants to give you parenting
advice, which is lovely. I listen to everyone,
but no one can give you advice on being a
parent. You have to experience it yourself,
you have to go through each day and each
day is different, every morning there is
something new to learn. It’s pretty much my
own journey, and I am pretty much doing it
56 |DALLAS | OCTOBER 2018 | VOL 157
i am happy wiTh
whaT’S on my plaTe
my own way. There are a thousand versions of feminism.
Who picked out Taimur’s Everyone has their version and take on what
name though? it is. That’s why I said, I won’t to be branded as
Of course, it’s a bit unusual. anything — that I am this and I am that. I am
It was Saif, obviously. He a person, I am a human being, who believes
loves history, he is very in equality. Now, whatever you want to do,
articulate on the warriors he troll me, call me, it’s up to everybody else. I
likes. He had a neighbour would like to be known as Kareena Kapoor,
whose name was Taimur, but I am also Kareena Kapoor Khan, and I
he was fascinated by him, am also Mrs Saif Ali Khan, I am absolutely
and he used to play with him fine (with it).
a lot. And the name kind of Saif has obviously been a huge influence in
stayed with him. That along your life. What’s the best influence he has
with the fact that the name brought to your life?
means iron. There are many things that he has added to
Your name is an abbreviation my life and personality. He has allowed me to
of Karenina? be exactly the way I am. He has allowed me
Yes, my mother was reading to live the life I wanted to. He has supported
the book (Anna Karenina) me in that. I think the biggest thing is when a
and she loved the name and man can add to your life, rather than subtract
she thought of Kareena. from it.
It’s a Russian name. My
grandfather loved Russia, Do you think it’s a great trend that Hollywood
and, in an instant, everyone gave their go- and Bollywood actresses are now sticking to
ahead for the name. their natural sizes instead of trying to fit into
You were sent to a boarding school? a standard size?
I went to Welham Girls’ in Dehradun. It was
brilliant. I loved it. Just the fact that I came from Absolutely, I think if you are doing it for a
a protected home and went to stay in an all part, it’s great. But I think, otherwise, one
girls’ boarding school in Dehradun, up north, should just be comfortable the way they are.
so far away from Mumbai, was a completely As far as fitness is concerned, one should
different type of atmosphere. But I think it laid be fit and healthy, that’s something every girl
the foundation for my independence. It set should aspire to be. And I always say, size
me up for the profession I am in. I was really has nothing to do with being healthy or being
set there. When I was leaving, I was crying. fit. It’s about how comfortable you are.
You have never been afraid of speaking In this phase of your life, do you see yourself
your mind. You have always projected your making an effort to do an international
beliefs very clearly. Recently you said that project?
you believe in gender equality, but you are I don’t think I have that drive. And I don’t
not a feminist. think I have that sort of ambition. I know
I don’t like the word. Trolls can troll me, they exactly what I want and what I enjoy doing. I
can continue to do that. am happy with what’s on my plate.
But you have always rooted for equality.
Absolutely. I just don’t want it to be tagged
that I am standing for feminism. I don’t believe
in these words. I do believe in equality.
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