Live, love, laugh: No retakes for Kareena

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The times are tough. With the crash-boom-bust of the box- office thundering louder with each successive film that bites the dust, nobody can sleep easy. But Kareena Kapoor claims to do so. Films or no films. Flops or no flops.<br /><br />"<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon </span>is a very special film for me.No matter how it does at the box-office, this film will remain close to my heart. I have learnt a lot from Sooraj Barjatya," she offers.<br /><br />Three years old in the film industry, this go-getter has been cast by most of the blockbuster banners in Bollywood. And in these three years, enough lather has been generated about her in-your-face honesty. It''s an attitude that has often got her into trouble with other actresses. But after <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon</span>, this Virgo concedes that she has mellowed.<br /><br />"I am 22 and I love being my age. I change every day," says Kareena, "I am happy being where I am and doing what I am. There is a certain spark to everything about me."<br /><br />And this spark is visible on her face. Because Kareena is more than happy with what she has on her plate. "I am not greedy for more. I believe that this is the best phase of my career and I want to make the most of it. The kind of roles I am doing now would be challenging for any actress. I have managed a judicious balance between the commercial and the off-beat."<br /><br />And she certainly seems to be enjoying the best of both worlds. In the pipeline is an international project with Deepa Mehta and a movie with Mani Ratnam. Top names. Great expectations within the film industry. But Kareena is looking at the big picture. "In almost all the films I have done so far, I have invariably been portrayed as a teeny-bopper," she explains, "But these films are really different. I have roles which are exciting and, more importantly, very challenging."<br /><br />For the little girl who grew up in the centre of tinsel town, life meant films and films meant life. "I remember accompanying Karisma to her shoots. I was just a child then and in awe of her, not least because she looked so beautiful with her make-up and elaborate outfits." But wait, unlike the frothy Beverly Hill clones, Kareena isn''t in showbiz for the clothes or make-up. Acting is her first love. "First and last, I want to be remembered for my acting," she maintains.<br /><br />This, perhaps, explains the serpentine queues of producers willing to pay big bucks for the whiff of fresh air she brings to the screen. But it doesn’t explain how Kareena manages to go from shoot to shoot and live life out of a suitcase without taking a break. "A break? No way, at this point of time, I can only think of work and more work." <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Abhi khushi</span>, no <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">gham</span>. Kareena Kapoor is in love with the movies. Period.<br /></div> </div>