You'll see a different me in 'Kurbaan': Kareena

She has played a prostitute, a bubbly girl-next-door and the ultimate glamour queen in her almost decade-long career, but Kareena Kapoor says "Kurbaan" has given her the opportunity to sink her teeth into one of the best roles in her career.
"I am so confident that in 'Kurbaan', audiences will take to my character in a big way," said Kareena, who looks forward to playing a variety of roles across different genres of films.
"Especially after 'Kambakkht Ishq', they would see a different me in the film," Kareena told.
A Karan Johar production, "Kurbaan" is directed by first time director Rensil D'Silva and has terrorism as its background.
"The girl's role is very strong in 'Kurbaan' and I have worked really hard on my performance. I'm expecting a lot from the film," said the actress, who has won critical acclaim for her performance in "Dev" and "Omkara".
Kareena is paired with boyfriend Saif Ali Khan in "Kurbaan", which also stars Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, Kirron Kher and Om Puri in principal roles.
The actress says she is once again expecting accolades from critics for her performance in the film.
"Well frankly, this is one film where I am expecting both box-office success and huge critical acclaim. The film is extremely well made and, to add to that, quite topical," she said confidently.
With music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Salim-Sulaiman, "Kurbaan" is aiming for a November release.
For Kareena, 2009 would be an eventful year as it would also see the release of Rajkumar Hirani's "3 Idiots", where she is paired opposite Aamir Khan, and debutant director Prem R. Soni's "Main Aur Mrs. Khnna" with Salman Khan.
After being in the industry for close to a decade, doesn't she aspire for more awards?
"See, ever since I began my career, I have always maintained that I want to be a star actress. I should give the kind of confidence to filmmakers that I can carry off any role confidently. Whether it is a Geet ('Jab We Met') or a Dolly ('Omkara'), Simrita ('Kambakkht Ishq') or the character I play in 'Kurbaan' - I am mixing it up all.
"For me, work is like a passion and when I do a film, I don't really think of commercial gains or awards. What is most important for me is to be engaged in some quality stuff. I sign a film because I like to enact the character that I have been offered. If box office success and awards come then, well, it's great," she said.

Make me cry, begs Genelia

Chirpy and bubbly had never had it so good, till Genelia came into the picture. In 2006, she played the role of Hasini in a Telugu film titled Bommarillu that rocked the box office. Soon, she was living life to the fullest in the same role in Tamil too, when it was remade as Santosh Subramaniam.

Then, Jaane Tu ... happened and it completely changed the way everyone looked at the pretty girl. Filmmakers queued up for her dates, jostling each other, scripts in hand — most of which featured her in a bubbly, happy-go-lucky role. The directors were under the impression that once they cast her in such a role, everybody — the producers and the audience — would be super excited.
But, one person wasn’t very pleased and that was Genelia herself! She has done similar roles and is tired of laughing and smiling at the camera all the time. “I decided that it was time that I needed some variety,” she states, “It was monotonous doing the same kind of roles. I wish filmmakers make me cry.”
That’s precisely what’s going to happen soon. Well, not shedding tears exactly, but the girl is getting ready to play a pivotal role in her upcoming Telugu flick, Katha. “It’s a different outing for sure,” she says, “Very different from the Jaane Tu.. type of a girl. The film’s a thriller and I’m very pleased with myself for choosing it.” This apart, she has Bollywood projects keeping her busy.
The actress vividly remembers her Boys days, a Shankar film in which she rubbed shoulders with five young actors, some of whom have gone places today. Does she look back at those days with fond memories? “Of course,” she says with a smile, “That’s the film which launched me big time in the industry.”
Boys hit the screens at a point of time when up-market hangouts were getting popular in the city, and Harini — the character Genelia played in the film — almost became a household name. “I can never forget Harini,” she reminisces, “She was the platform for my good performance in the movies that came later.”
Some of her co-stars in the movie have bagged a lot of interesting projects and are doing well, while the others haven’t been that lucky. Despite getting busy conquering other woods, Genelia’s still kept in touch with that team. “I bump into them once in a while,” she says, “They were a great bunch.”
So, does that mean she’ll work again with the head of the ‘bunch’ — director Shankar? “I’ll work with anyone who wants to work with me.”
She dazzled and sizzled when she performed at the recent Filmfare awards held at Hyderabad. Though she was among the last to perform, the sheer energy with which she shook a leg to the numbers kept the audience glued. Just like in dancing, she completely believes in giving her best shot to everything she does. So, is that her life mantra? “Of course,” she states, “Live life to the fullest – that’s what I believe in.”

I.T. VERY HOT & SPICY